GERDA ESTHER BOUCHARD (PETERSEN)

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GERDA ESTHER BOUCHARD (nee PETERSEN) Peacefully on August 12, 2012 at the Grace Hospital, the beloved matriarch of our family passed away just days after celebrating her 95th birthday. Gerda will always be loved, remembered and greatly missed by her four children, Paul (Judi) of Edmonton, AB; Ralph (Pam) of Aurora, ON; Janice Turnbull (Frank) of Sarnia, ON and Bob (Laurie) of Winnipeg. She leaves her eight grandchildren, Lorien, Meaghan, Matt, Allison, Jen, Cal, Dave, and Callie; nine great-grandchildren, Jonas, Sydney, Alex, Naomi, Shelby, Sunny, Joe, Wyatt and Randi; and four stepgrandchildren, Clay, Nelson, Jacquie and David, to cherish her memory. She is also survived by two sisters, Anne Winmill and Margaret Goodridge, both of Winnipeg and one brother, Gordon Petersen of Vancouver, as well as many nieces and nephews. Gerda was predeceased by her husband Joseph Leon Bouchard, her parents, August and Ella Petersen, two brothers, Paul and Victor, two sisters, Evelyn Petersen and Lilly Thompson, and great-grandson, Zachary Roberts. She was born August 9, 1917 in Winnipeg, the fourth of nine children and she lived in St. James for most of her life. She and Joe were married in 1937 and enjoyed 48 years of happy marriage before Joe's untimely death in 1985. Mom loved music, gardening, and playing cards. She was a talented knitter, a creative baker and a staunch supporter of the Bombers and the Jets. She was a very large presence in all our lives providing encouragement, optimism and direction. She was always a pillar of strength and her positive spirit and wonderful sense of humour endured right up to her final days. She was happiest at home playing games with her grandchildren or sharing her recipes and baking secrets. Gerda very much valued the special supportive friendship of Cathy, Eileen, Marlane and Theresa. We are profoundly saddened by her passing but we are all thankful for the life lessons she provided and for the sense of grounding she left with each of us. We will always treasure her humble manner, fierce independence, strong ethical views, quick wit and her amazing memory. We are forever grateful for her 95 meaningful years. A celebration of Gerda's life will be held at Chapel Lawn Funeral Home, 4000 Portage Ave. on Friday, August 17, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. The family wishes to express their heartfelt appreciation to the Grace Hospital staff for their compassionate care. Flowers are gratefully declined but friends are welcome to make a donation in Gerda's memory to the Canadian Cancer Society. For those who wish to sign the online Guest Book please visit our website. Chapel Lawn www.chapellawn.mb.ca 885-9715

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 15, 2012