RHONA (SWAN) KNOPP

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RHONA (SWAN) KNOPP Peacefully on May 30, 2018, at the age of 88, Mom moved on to a more Heavenly existence. Predeceased by her parents, Otto and Else Swan, siblings, Evald, Edna (John), Norman and Einar (Gloria), and much loved daughter Linda. Mom also mourned the loss recently of her true companion Lloyd, his daughter Fran, and her good friend Herdis. Lloyd's family has always been very dear to our mom. She is survived by her three children, Rod (Karen), Debbie (Mick) and Alvin (Denise), as well as her sister-in-law Lucy. Good memories and valued lessons will remain in the hearts of her 13 grandchildren: Tracy, Cori, Shauna (James), Jordan (Leah), Sarah, Holly (Scott), Emily, Dan (Kristin), David, Paul (Alicia), Rebecca (Dallas), Jason (Zoe) and Steven (Chantelle), as well as 26 great-grandchildren. Mom was born and raised in a very hard working, farming family in Ross, Manitoba. Working long days and caring for her siblings was an expectation and she was never one to shy away from work. From an early age, Mom learnt the value of a dollar and never took it for granted. She taught her children and grandchildren from an early age that kindness to those less fortunate was a gift in itself. She always prided herself in a job well done. She always did her best to be a positive person and to be a burden to no one. She also made a point of paying any debts she owed, regardless of how small. At the end of each day, she didn't want to inconvenience anyone. Mom taught us how to be self sufficient, from cooking, canning, garden work and sometimes running from the wooden spoon. The majority of her employment was in the field of service, waitressing, working at Eatons, gathering Census and working in Home Care. She was always quick to pay it forward, teaching us all the importance of helping those in need, frequently when making meals made "one for the table and one for a neighbour". An honour she has passed on to her children and grandchildren. She loved the good old days in Oak Bank with curling bonspiels, old fashioned bean feeds and country dances. She treasured those friendships she cultivated so many years ago, blessed to still have her friend Joc to tell secrets to. She loved crocheting, solitaire and was a good sport about letting us bring stray animals home on a regular basis. She even tolerated her boys ripping up the yard with their motorcycles. There was always room for friends to join us at the supper table and anyone was welcome. Always a fiercely independent woman, she made sure to carry her own weight regardless of the situation. She could still put us in check with the point of her finger. Mom felt extremely blessed to have the love of such a large family and valued the friendships she made over the years. She always had room in her heart to welcome a new friend. She cared more about how you were doing, over and above telling you how she felt. Over approximately seven years, she cultivated and nurtured an extremely close bond with her second family at Seven Oaks Dialysis Unit. There are no sufficient words to express the quality care, love and encouragement they have given to her on a regular basis as well to us as her family. They have gone above and beyond and we have never witnessed such outpouring of love as they hugged her and said their good byes for the final time. We felt that love. By the way, rest assured, any secrets you told her? She took them with her. Mom was proud of her Danish heritage, truly a Great Dane. When the day comes that we can't stay together, keep me in your heart, I'll stay there forever. Vi elsker dig (We love you) In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to either: Ostenfeld Lutheran Church Cemetery Fund, Box 13 Grp. 6 RR1, Anola, MB R0E 0A0 or Seven Oaks General Hospital Foundation Dialysis Unit 1 (Patient Care), (204) 632-3552 or sogh.ca/foundation A private family gathering will be held and Mom will be laid to rest at the Ostenfeld Cemetery. GREEN ACRES Funeral Home & Cemetery Hwy. #1 East at Navin Road, Winnipeg, MB (204) 222 3241 Condolences may be sent to www.greenacresfuneralhome.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 02, 2018