Obituary of Elfriede J. Schick

SCHICK: Elfriede J Schick, passed away at the Brandon Regional Health Centre on Monday, June 2, 2014, surrounded by her family. Elfriede was born on April 26, 1928 in Gotzingen, West Germany. She grew up in a small farming community and experienced many adventures as a young girl during the Depression and war years. Eventually her adventurous spirit led her to the big city where she met Hermann, whom she would marry and immigrate to Canada with in 1954. After a brief stay in Winnipeg, the newlyweds moved to Brandon where they began their new life. Not knowing very much English, she "spoke with hands and feet" (as she would say) with her new neighbors, co-workers and friends. It didn't take long for her to settle into the Canadian way of life; however, she continued to incorporate her German roots much to the appreciation and delight of her new friends who enjoyed the food and partaking in the traditions. In 1959, they bought their first home, where they raised their four children, and where she remained for 50 years before downsizing to her new modest, comfortable apartment. Always a hard worker, she spent many years working at Perth's Drycleaning and Laundry saving for her numerous trips back to Germany to visit family and friends. She and Hermann also travelled across Canada and down into the U.S. many times, often with her driving a motor home filled with German relatives or en route to visit family or friends. A devoted member of St. Augustine's church, she sang in the choir for 50 years and was a member of the Catholic Women's League for almost 60 years. She could always be relied upon to make sandwiches, cabbage rolls or baking for church, as well as other community events. Somehow she also managed to volunteer many hours at Fairview, the Red Cross and at the Assiniboine Centre, and drove many fellow parishioners to church services over the years. Elfriede leaves to mourn her husband of 60 years Hermann, children Charles, Helen (Brian) Forsyth, Rosie Thompson and Richard (Kim). Oma will also be missed by her six grandchildren: Brett and Ashley Forsyth, Ryan and Krista Thompson and Noah and Seacret Schick. Predeceased by her parents Helene Schwarz and Wilhelm Hartmann, her sister Elise Volk and sister-in-law Inge Schick, she also leaves to mourn a sister Ida (Ludwig), brother Wilhelm (Rita), sister-in-law Rosy (Heinz) and brother-in-law Ernst and many nieces and nephews in Germany. Mass of Christian burial took place on June 6, 2014 at St. Augustine's Roman Catholic Church with Fr. Kevin Smith as Celebrant. Interment followed at Rosewood Memorial Gardens. It's hard to describe someone who has done so much with so little for so many, and even harder to find someone who has lived a richer life. Donations in memory of Elfriede may be made to the Brandon Regional Health Centre Foundation "Palliative Care", 150 McTavish Avenue East, Brandon, Manitoba, R7A 2B3 or to a charity of choice.