ANNIE KNELS

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ANNIE KNELS 1928 - 2014 It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Annie Knels (nee Nickel) from this world at the age of 86 years. She is survived by: her husband Herbert, son Ernie, Annie's twin sister Mary Braun, as well as many relatives and friends. She was predeceased by brother Frank, and sister Aganetha. Annie was born March 3, 1928 in Neuendorf, Ukraine. Although she only weighed four pounds at birth, she turned out to be a survivor, living through the famine and disease epidemics of 1930s Ukraine and later, the horrors of the Second World War. Post-war, she lived and worked in Germany, then immigrated to Canada in 1949, where she settled first in Steinbach and then Winnipeg. Intelligent, skilled and hard-working, she thrived and built a successful life for herself in Canada. Marriage and motherhood followed. She enjoyed a comfortable life for the next 60 plus years, filled with happy times, family, friends and the culture of her local Mennonite community. Annie was friendly, caring and compassionate and always put the welfare of others before herself. Her lovely smile and genuine warmth touched everyone. All who got to know her, loved her. Annie had many talents but she especially loved sewing and as a seamstress, designer and dressmaker, she impressed everyone with her creativity and craftsmanship. Annie started to feel unwell in April of this year. Several trips to the hospital resulted in diagnoses of flu, then gallstones, then pancreatitis. But when her condition did not improve after gallbladder surgery and weeks of treatment, additional scans revealed an aneurism in her brain. This was probably the cause of the stroke which finished it for Annie. She fell into a coma and passed away 20 hours later on July 29, 2014. We will miss Annie greatly. Wonderful memories of Annie will be with us for the rest of our lives. Cremation has taken place and an interment ceremony will be held at Green Acres, Winnipeg, MB, on Wednesday, August 6, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. All who knew Annie are welcome to attend. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Annie may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation. Many thanks to all of the staff at the St. Boniface Hospital, who cared for Annie and tried to heal her and make her comfortable. Arrangements by BIRCHWOOD FUNERAL CHAPEL 1-204-346-1030 OR 1-888-454-1030

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 02, 2014