LENA (LUCHERIA) PAULENKO (GERMAN) -

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LENA (LUCHERIA) PAULENKO (nee GERMAN) 1914 - 2012 At 5:40 p.m. October 12, 2012, the Lord invited Lena to come to Him to celebrate her 98th birthday with the singing Angels in heavenly surroundings. Lena will be greatly missed by her three children, seven grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren. Five generations - traditions are passed and love continues on. Surviving is a sister Dora Ungrain of Russell, MB. Lena was born in Canora, SK, the oldest of seven siblings, the daughter of Jacob and Maria German. At age three the family moved to Leonard, MB, where she attended Shell Bank School. On October 22, 1933, she married Peter Paulenko and they celebrated their 65th Anniversary in 1998. They moved to Fort William, ON (Thunder Bay), in 1941 and returned to Winnipeg, MB, in 1976 to be with their children. Lena was an exceptionally hard working lady and worked many jobs. Her favourite was working on her Dad's farm and her dream was to own her own tractor. She also worked at the airplane factory (Can-Car) in the uniform of Rosie the Riveter with hair tied up in a kerchief. Once in the city she quickly adopted city life - sidewalks, buses, parks and stores. Taking a walk in the evening with her two girls to see nice homes was a delight. She sewed their clothes, put their hair in ringlets, and was very happy when her son was born and she could push the baby carriage. Gardening was her favourite pastime and could grow everything to perfection; vegetables, flowers and berries. Rose and lilac bushes grew to fullness, pansies, gladiolas and alysium spread everywhere. She raised chickens from hatchling to hen and shared eggs with the neighbours. She loved dogs of all kinds. As times got better she found new pastimes; bingo, card playing, lawn bowling and theatre. Every show was her favourite. Bing Crosby was her main star. Her most favourite thing was sports. Baseball as a youngster - captain and pitcher of the school team. Did she instill a love of sports in her children and grandkids? Certainly, wrestling, hockey, baseball, racing and fishing. She attended many of her son's hockey games and sometimes did his paper route so he wouldn't miss a practice or a game. She was so proud of his achievements. Montreal Canadians were her team. Then came the era of travelling - many times with her son-in-law Mickey and daughter Joan; Vegas, Florida and Phoenix, often with Jimmy to Vegas. What things I see, she would say. With Adelaide and Bob, local touring; Hecla, Oak Hammock and Fort Whyte. Cottaging with family and cook outs, especially corn and potatoes over an open fire with grandkids, catching frogs and fishing. Berry picking and mushroom hunting - even meeting and talking to a bear once. Cooking was her show off time, especially pie making, lemon, apple, rhubarb and all shared over a cup of tea in her kitchen. She was predeceased by her beloved husband Peter in 1998, infant children, Selina and Lucheria, son-in-law Mickey Mignacca, her sister Vera Waller and four brothers, Jimmy, George, Fred and Bill. To cherish her memory Lena is survived by daughter Adelaide (Bob) Peterson, daughter Joan Mignacca and son Jimmy (Gabriella) Paulenko. Fond remembrances will always remain with her seven grandchildren; Gerry and Michelle, Jason and Donna, John and Angela Peterson, Peter and Sandra, Paul and Lizette, Sonny and Tammy Mignacca and gramma's girla Carla Evalena and husband Goni Munsamy. Great-grandchildren; Tanya, Tommy, Anthony, Bailey, Holly, Taylor, Alexander, Sophie, Santino, Peyton and Jacob. Great-great-children; Cameron, Dylan, Marie, Jade, Mackenzie, Brooklyn and Kodee. There will be many stories and memories to share. Also Lena had an extended family, Laura, Melissa, Trian, Lotus, Aryana and Devon. Pallbearers will be her six grandsons with Tommy standing in for Jason. Lena's family thank the team at Oakview Extendicare, her hockey buddy Johnny, Liela, Shannon, Kathy, Amanda, Maravic and all the staff for 10 years of excellent care and friendship also to retired ladies, Maureen and Eleanor. Wonderful people all. Funeral service will be held on Thursday, October 18, 2012, at 10:00 a.m. at Chapel Lawn Funeral Home, 4000 Portage Avenue with Father Malanka of St. Demetrios Romanian Orthodox Church officiating. Interment will follow in the Garden of Prayer. A mother and a gramma too, this is a legacy we have from you. You taught us love and wisdom and how to fight, you have us strength, you gave us might. A stranger person is hard to find but in your heart you were always kind. You worked and saved one way or another, not just a teacher but a loving mother. To all of us you gave you best, now is the time to take your rest. Go in peace and love, you've earned your sleep, your love in our hearts we will always keep. Chapel Lawn www.chapellawn.mb.ca 885-9715

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 15, 2012