SIEGFRIED KONSTANTIN KRAFT and CHRISTEL MAGDALENE KRAFT

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SIEGFRIED KONSTANTIN KRAFT
and
CHRISTEL MAGDALENE KRAFT

Siegfried Konstantin Kraft and Christel Magdalene Kraft peacefully passed on to their celestial journey together on the 21st of January 2021, in their home at Victoria Beach, Manitoba, Canada.
Siegfried was born in 1930 in Libau, Latvia. Christel was born in 1932 in the former Koenigsberg, Germany. When they met in the refugee settlement of Gifhorn, Germany, after the end of Second World War, Siegfried immediately fell in love with Christel. He dearly wanted to take her along with his family as they prepared to emigrate to Canada in 1950. Initially unsure, Christel ultimately followed her heart as she left her family and the new life she had begun to rebuild in Germany, joining Siegfried and his family in Winnipeg, Canada in 1955.
Their life and love together can only be described as pioneering. They were prepared to step outside the norm and what may have been expected in the mainstream. They followed their hearts and the path they felt held the most learning for them. They were definitely trailblazers in their role reversal when Siegfried left his work as Production Manager at the furniture company, Globermann Brothers, taking over the household when Christel became the Director of the Reaching Out Employment Services for differently abled people – an initiative that was born of her Master's Thesis research. There was nothing that Siegfried would not attempt. Their beautiful home, built almost entirely by his own hands, stands as a pinnacle example of his ability and skill. Christel's creativity too is displayed throughout their home. Many have been the recipients of gifts their hands have created.
Christel and Siegfried's skills lay not only in their hands, but in the wisdom and their attentive listening that helped an uncountable number of people, including family, to see their way past obstacles in their own lives. Their considered wisdom gained a global reach, which for Siegfried found community in Mexico and for Christel in a global online community, primarily the Focusing Community.
As parents and mentors their skill grew with the years. They leave a legacy beyond Speckuchen and real candles on the Christmas tree for their four children with their partners: Gabriele (Graham), Wolfram (Connie), Siegfried Jr. (Angel) and Ursula Rymarchuk; and their grandchildren with their families: Elfie Smith Sizeland with Jay, Colton and Teagan; Eric Sizeland with Deborah, Joanna and Astrid; Carl Sizeland with Lisa and Soren; Heidi Kraft Giesbrecht with Bryce, Hunter and Grayson; Cassandra Kraft; Alexa Lester; Nigel Kraft; Aurora van Eaton with Tyson and Kenlee; Joshua Kraft; John Rymarchuk; Kyle Rymarchuk with Courtney and Olive. They were predeceased by their son-in-law, Bob Rymarchuk.
The love they held for each other remains as an enduring inspiration for all who celebrate two lives lived strongly together.
To those of you who are reading this and are wondering…wondering Why? How? What? Our parents lived their entire lives questioning the status quo about life present, past and future. They sought out to explore what more there was to the human mind and sought to challenge the mainstream. As their physical bodies wore out, it was with a courage many of us wish we had, that they made the decision to leave this earth with the help of our medical system.
Cremation has taken place and a private service to follow at a later date.

Condolences may be left on their tribute wall at www.gilbartfuneralhome.com

Gilbart Funeral Home, Selkirk
in care of arrangements.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 30, 2021