Obituary Overview
Janina “Jenny” Weinkauf
Janina “Jenny” Weinkauf was Born in Nowa Wola Poland March 11th, 1944 to Julian and Stanislava Wasil. After her mother died of an unknown cause in 1947, Jenny lived with her Aunt and Uncle until her father saved up enough money for them to immigrate to Canada in 1958. They landed in Montreal and proceeded to their relative’s farm near Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan where she lived until adulthood. She moved to Whitecourt, Alberta to find a job and found employment at the Western Store where she met Leo Weinkauf. Leo and Jenny were married June 8th, 1964. They started married life in the town of Whitecourt building their first home themselves. Leo was working at the weigh scale station for Alberta Transportation and Jenny continued working at the store while helping him operate the local bowling alley in their spare time. They were blessed with their first daughter Anita in 1972 after the loss of their first three children; John, Joseph and Theresa to preterm births. Jenny’s father Julian was living with the new family and helped to raise Anita. In 1977, Julian passed away from cancer. In 1979, Leo and Jenny were blessed again with the birth of their second child David. Leo then got a job offer to move to Red Deer and take the position of Overload Control Officer with Alberta Transportation.
Jenny found employment in Red Deer at first continuing with retail at IGA then finding work doing one of the things she loved, gardening. She worked for Joffre Greenhouse and later Dentoom’s Greenhouse for many years. In 1992, her husband Leo lost his 4-year battle with cancer. Jenny took on the hard job of becoming a single parent to her children. She was determined to learn how to do many of the things Leo always took care of and she accomplished so much. After Leo passed away, the family of three grew very close and they spend much of their time together doing the same things they loved doing as a family of four. This included camping trips to their favorite spot, Moose Lake. In 2000 Jenny’s family grew by one to include a son-in -law when Anita married Darrell.
Jenny eventually left the greenhouse and found employment at Walmart. Jenny worked in the houseware’s department where she helped a variety of customer’s and the occasional old friend find whatever they needed. In 2007, Jenny was diagnosed with breast cancer. She retired from Walmart and fought the battle of her life against the disease. After her chemo was completed she didn’t return to work but started helping with her first grandchild Katelyn, born in 2006 to Anita and Darrell. Katelyn was then followed by Madison in 2008 giving Jenny two grandkids to fuss over.
2008 was also the year of her son David’s marriage to Breanna Lindstrand. Through this union Jenny was then blessed with grandson Blake in 2010 followed by granddaughter Jenna in 2013.
Jenny became a full time babysitter for her four grandchildren. She was one of the most caring and involved Grandma’s that anyone could ask for. She loved taking the kids to the splash park on hot summer days, sharing her love of gardening with them, and teaching them how to bake and sew among many other activities. She supported them in their homework, school events, and after school activities. Grandma was always there cheering them on and was always so proud of them.
In September 2018 Jenny was diagnosed with breast cancer that had metastasized to her liver. On November 13th, 2018 she passed away peacefully in her home of 38 years with her children by her side. Jenny was a constant source of help and love to her children and their families, she will be dearly missed.
The family would like to thank the Red Deer Paramedics from Hall #1, Brad, Brent, and Chantelle, for providing truly amazing and compassionate care for Jenny and her family, as well as Home Care nurse Diana and Dr. James McIntyre for their support that evening.
A memorial service will be held on November 21st, 2018 at 7pm at the Eventide Funeral Home located at 4820 45 St, Red Deer, AB.
Memorial donations can be made to the Central Alberta Cancer Center by phoning 1-866-412-4222 or online at: albertacancer.ca/donate/cancer-centres
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Janina Jenny Weinkauf 2018..
Death notice for the town of: Red Deer, Province: Alberta