ROSMARIE WOELCKE (ENSS)

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ROSMARIE WOELCKE (nee ENSS) July 7, 1933 - October 8, 2017 Peacefully on October 8, 2017, our mom and oma passed away at St. Boniface Hospital, with family at her side. She was predeceased by our dad and opa, Ulrich, her loving husband of 50 years; her brother Reinhard and her brother-in-law Jack. She will be lovingly remembered by her sister Helga and brother Arno (Hannelore); children, Michael (Lorilee), Gerald (Nikki), and Barbara (Neil); grandchildren, Nicholas (Kelsey), Natasha, Tayler, Alexa, Thomas, and Krista and great-grandchildren, George and Adam. Mom was born on July 7, 1933 in Neumuensterberg, West Prussia (today Poland). She was the youngest of four and had a happy childhood growing up on her parent's farm between 1933 and 1945. Although war broke out in 1939, it had little impact on her life until 1945 when the family fled to Danzig (Gdansk), Rostock and eventually Oldenburg, Germany. She was baptized in Oldenburg and in 1951 the family immigrated to Canada, settling in St. Catherines, Ontario. Mom completed a practical nursing course in Toronto where she worked for a few years in that area. In 1955 she moved to Winnipeg to marry Ulrich Woelcke. Together they had three children, Michael, Gerald and Barbara and in mom's words "the family was complete". Mom's life was very busy raising a family, maintaining a happy, warm home and ensuring that everyone had what they needed. Mom always made sure that everything went smoothly and worked hard to minimize conflicts in our home. She valued friendships, her marriage and her family. She loved dad very much and they shared 50 years together before dad died in 2005. Mom loved babies. When her six grandchildren were born she would be content to hold them in her arms and just look at them or play gently with them. More recently, she was excited to become a great-grandmother and seeing her two great- grandsons brought a smile to her face. Mom's health brought numerous challenges. She survived multiple cancers and surgeries, but in the end could not fight anymore. Mom will be deeply missed. A memorial service will be held at First Mennonite Church, 922 Notre Dame Avenue on Thursday, October 12, at 11:00 a.m. If desired, donations can be made to CancerCare Manitoba in mom's name.

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 11, 2017