SOPHIE LITSCHKE

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

SOPHIE LITSCHKE July 17, 1928 - August 23, 2013 It is with great sadness in our hearts that we say goodbye to our loving Mother, Oma and friend. Sophie Litschke. With her family by her side, Sophie passed quietly and peacefully on August 23, 2013. Sophie, better known as Oma to her family and friends, will be sorely missed. Left to cherish her life and memory are her husband: Fritz Litschke, daughter and son-in-law: Jutta and Brian Owens, granddaughter and grand-son-in-law: Brianne and David O'Neill, and her two boys (great-grandsons): Declan and Nash O'Neill. In Germany, her niece and husband: Margot and Fritz Gleim, nephew and wife: Herbert and Beate Rohn. She was predeceased by her son: Henry Litschke, her sister and brother-in-law: Liesel and Franz Franke, her brother and sister-in-law: Georg and Annie Rohn. Sophie was born in Rothenburg ob der Tauber in Bavaria, Germany on July 17, 1928. She survived the war, including having her house bombed while she was in the basement when she was 15 years old. She met her future husband, Fritz, at a dance in Rothenburg in 1950. They danced that night and many days over the years. They were always the first ones on the dance floor and the last ones off at many gatherings. Brianne got her love of dance from them. In 1957, Sophie, Fritz, Jutta and Henry immigrated to Canada, to Winnipeg at the suggestion of Fritz's cousin: Karl and Tamara Litschke. They eventually set up their home on Selkirk Avenue. Sophie came to work at the Oasis Delicatessen on Main Street where the Hochman family became part of Sophie's extended family. Brianne was born in 1980 and Sophie became Oma (grandmother in German). She left the Oasis to raise Brianne, who was the apple of Oma's eye. When Brianne started at Riverview School in 1985, Oma volunteered at the school. She volunteered there for 15 years and continued to volunteer with Mme Pouliot many years after. At Riverview she met and made many lasting friendships that continued to the end. The 'Riverview Group' would meet monthly for dinner to keep in touch. They are her honorary pall bearers. When Declan was born in 2007, he became her number one, two, three, and four. In 2010, Nash arrived and Oma had another boy to love. Both boys were the loves of her life. They were her boys and her pride and joy. Oma loved to garden and cook. The family jokes that her first word in English was: Eat. Her cookies were legendary. Brianne, who was very much into dancing, would go on trips with her dance school and her price to get on the bus was a box of Oma's chocolate chip cookies. The price was always paid in full. Family and friends also fondly remember her lemon meringue pies, chocolate cheese cake, perogies and cabbage rolls, among many other treats she loved to make, one had only to ask. She was a wonderful, warm and caring person. She had a big heart and loved Fritz, all her family, friends, and the children she mentored as a volunteer. She would do anything for you and was as a result 'Oma' to many many people: children as well as adults. We love her and miss her terribly. Rest in peace, Sophie - Oma. Memorial service will be held 11:00 a.m. Thursday, August 29 at the St. John's Lutheran Church, 370 McKenzie Street at College. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to St. John's Lutheran Church, 870 McKenzie Street, Winnipeg, MB, R2W 5B2, or perform some volunteering in Sophie's name. NEIL BARDAL FUNERAL CENTRE 204-949-2200 neilbardalinc.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 26, 2013