Elisabeth Hohnsbein (nee Leipold)
April 30, 1928 – June 18, 2021
On 18th June 2021, our beloved mother, sister and Oma — Elisabeth Hohnsbein (nee Leipold) — passed away peacefully while being comforted by family at Highview Residence in Kitchener, ON. Elisabeth’s goal was to live as long as her mother, to be 91 years and 1 month old; she met this goal and then some, taking her final breath in her 94th year.
Elisabeth was born to Jakob and Elizabeth Leipold on 30th April 1928. She was born and raised in a small village in Yugoslavia, the second eldest of five siblings. She attended four years of German school, then left to help at home with farm duties and babysitting younger siblings at eleven years old. Elisabeth faced many hurdles in her life before coming to Canada, the most atrocious was the challenge of surviving WWII. Elisabeth shared stories of life during the war and its aftermath, including her village being burned to the ground by Yugoslavian guerilla soldiers — an attack in which her grandfather was killed — and how she and her family were on the run to avoid capture. Following the war, Elisabeth was forcefully separated from her family and had to sneak away from the farm she was forced to work at on New Year’s Eve, walking miles through farm fields to rejoin her family while on the run from authorities. Later, as a reunited family working as refugees on a farm in East Germany, the family crossed illegally to West Germany by foot disguised as farm labourers. The family worked on a farm where Elisabeth met her husband-to-be, Peter.
Elisabeth’s Life Story
In 1950, Elisabeth was sponsored by the Lutheran Church to come to Canada as a refugee. At 22-years-old, she travelled to Canada on her own, not speaking the language and carrying the weight of representing her family. She worked on a farm in Roseville and found sponsors for the rest of her family to follow, including her fiance. Elisabeth married Peter Hohnsbein (predeceased 1992) at St. James Lutheran Church in Mannheim on the 23rd of February 1952. Over the next ten years, they were blessed with four beautiful daughters.
Elisabeth, Peter, and their daughters moved to New Dundee in 1958. They may not have known it then, but New Dundee would become their community and home. In 1962, they purchased a yellow house on Front Street, big enough to support their growing family. This house was home for the Hohnsbein’s for 50 years; a place of family, friends, and many great memories. Elisabeth continued to live there after Peter’s passing, moving to Kitchener in 2012.
Elisabeth has been a member of St. James Lutheran Church in New Dundee since 1958. Well known as Miss Elisabeth, the Church is a real community and family for her. It is where her daughters were confirmed and married, and the place of Peter’s committal service. Elisabeth also was a member of the Schwaben Club in Kitchener, ON.
For most of her life, Elisabeth was never idle. She was always on the move between tending to her gardens, preserving the fruits of her labour, making and mending clothes, and preparing home cooked meals and baking. She loved knitting and could always be counted on to make patschker (slippers) for her loved ones. She also worked at the New Dundee Creamery for 30 years — right across the street from her house — retiring in 1988.
Most important to Elisabeth was family; she was the cornerstone, keeping the family united and strong, wrapping us in unconditional love. Elisabeth had a big heart and an even bigger sense of humour; she truly was loved by everyone she met. She loved entertaining family and friends, dancing the waltz with Peter, and listening to German and classical music. She loved to laugh, as anyone would know if in ear-shot of her watching “I Love Lucy,” her absolute favourite comedy.
Elisabeth was a loving mother to her four beloved daughters and son-in-laws: Elisabeth and Ken Elian; Susanne and Len (Pete) Kurt; Margret and Robert Doran; and Barbara and Michael Earl. She was a caring Oma to eight grandchildren: Andrew, Patrick, and Sheldon Elian; Anita and Ryan Kurt (Krystle Reid); Jennifer Doran (Milan Michale); and Jason and Brandon Earl. And she was a dear Uroma to three great-granddaughters: Isabelle Elian and twins Addison and Emilia Michale. Elisabeth is also survived by her siblings Christine Woytiw, Hilde Fittler and John (Hans) Leipold; predeceased by brother Jack Leipold (1987). And Tante Lis was a beloved aunt to several nieces and nephews.
Elisabeth will be loved deeply by her family forever. Her passing is emotional, felt as deep as our love for her. As we grieve and celebrate the fullness of her life, we turn to her words, “this too shall pass.” Our hearts are lifted knowing she is once again romancing with Peter on the dance floor in heaven.
A private family service will be held at the Henry Walser Funeral Home. Due to COVID-19 concerns, a visitation will not be held. Extended family and friends may view Elisabeth’s service on Saturday, June 26, 2021 at 3:30 p.m. via the following live stream link: www.henrywalser.com/live-streaming
As expressions of sympathy, donations to St. James Lutheran Church in New Dundee, or Grand River Hospital Foundation would be appreciated. Visit www.henrywalser.com to view Elisabeth’s memorial.
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Friday June 18th 2021
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Elisabeth Hohnsbein Friday June 18th 2021..
Décès pour la Ville:Kitchener, Province: Ontario