Obituary for
Maria Guenther (Loewen)
MARY GUENTHER
Our mom, Mary Guenther, passed away peacefully on August 26, 2018 at the age of 91, at the Bethania Personal Care Home, Winnipeg, Manitoba.
She is survived by five daughters: Judith Guenther, Alvina Thompson, Laura Loewen (Sylvain), Janice Hill (Kevin), Melinda Balodis (Andris); one son Gregory Guenther (Shannon); two sisters (Helen Klassen and Sara Epp) and their families; as well as 9 grandchildren, and 8 great-grandchildren.
Mary was predeceased by her husband John and great-granddaughter Kenzi. Mom and Dad had been married for 66 years when he passed away in 2016.
Family was always very important to Mom. She would have a big smile whenever her children and their families came to visit. She always talked about « we have 5 daughters and 1 son” and was very possessive of her time with them. She really appreciated it when Vina and Laura could be in Winnipeg and spent lots of time with her.
Mom was very free to say « I love you » and give hugs. Children always knew they were loved by her. It was easy to see Mom’s delight in her grandchildren and great-grandchildren as her face would light up whenever one of them came into the room.
Mom grew up in Grunthal on a farm as a member of a large family. She learned to work hard and contribute to her family’s well-being at a very young age. This continued when she had a family of her own as she cleaned houses, sold Avon and Tupperware to help buy some extras for the family.
Mom’s baking skills were exceptional. She was famous for her meat buns, lemon buns, pies and ginger cookies to the delight and benefit of many! She was happiest with a houseful of kids including our neighbourhood friends. This was also true at the cabin at Falcon Lake. She and Dad hosted many guests for meals and overnight stays. Their door was always open, and guests were welcomed warmly.
Mom was highly skilled at sewing. She took pride in sewing dresses for her girls for Christmas and Easter and other occasions. She even sewed a suit for Greg. She also loved to spend time doing crosswords puzzles, word searches and jigsaw puzzles. She still played a mean game of crokinole and became very competitive when challenged.
Mom was unwavering, unshakeable, and steadfast in her faith even through the most difficult times, and it was easy to see that she continually looked to the Lord to meet her needs.
Her favourite verse was from Psalm 121:1-2, « I lift my eyes to the hills — From whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth. »
Mom lived that verse out faithfully.
She was a strong supporter of the North Kildonan Mennonite Church Ladies Auxiliary … On special occasions she offered up her delicious baking. She enjoyed being an active member of the church and giving back to her community through volunteering at Bethania and the MCC Thrift Store, teaching Sunday School, and delivering Meals on Wheels.
After Dad’s passing, one of Mom’s favourite pastimes was going for a ride with one of her kids/grandkids, and stop for ice cream at DQ, a Tim Horton’s latte or a Half Moon hotdog. One Mother’s Day Shannon & Greg took mom to Half Moon for a treat. Mom said, “C’mon u guys, where’s my food, I’m getting hungry!” We laughed so hard!
Mom also enjoyed music and loved it whenever one of us would join her to go to German singing or church service at Bethania. Any time she would be listening to music, there was a look of peaceful contentment on her face. She remembered every word to familiar hymns and sang along. One of her favourite hymns proclaims, « Grosser Gott vier loben Dich (Holy God, We Praise Thy Name)”. These words are an accurate depiction of how Mom lived her life.
We are so blessed to have family and friends sharing the celebration of our mother with us. We appreciate the kind words and condolences we have been offered by so many. Thank you to all the family and friends that took time out of their busy schedules to come and visit Mom over the last few years.
The family would like to thank the staff at Irene Baron Eden Centre and Bethania Personal Care Home for their excellent care of our mother. We would like to thank Dr Carey Isaac for his kind medical care of both our parents prior to their stays in Bethania.
Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday, September 4, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at North Kildonan Mennonite Church, 1131 Roch St. Viewing will take place at 10:00 a.m.
If friends desire, donations in memory of Mary may be made to Keeping Kenzi Close chfm.convio.net/site/TR?team_id=1461&fr_id=1071&pg=team#.V0tFb5ErLIU
or Bethania Personal Care Home.
‘The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms’ (Deuteronomy 33:27a).
Ed Sheeran – Supermarket Flowers
“I hope that I see the world as you did cause I know
A life with love is a life that’s been lived
So I’ll sing Hallelujah
You were an angel in the shape of my mum
When I fell down you’d be there holding me up
Spread your wings as you go
And when God takes you back we’ll say Hallelujah
You’re home
Hallelujah
You were an angel in the shape of my mum
You got to see the person that I have become
Spread your wing
And I know that when God took you back he said Hallelujah
You’re home”
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Maria Mary
Guenther Loewen 1927 2018..
Décès pour la Ville: Winnipeg, Province: Manitoba
