Obituary of Pauline Keilback

KEILBACK: PAULINE JULIA KEILBACK (née Semeniuk) of Fairview Personal Care Home, Brandon, Manitoba died on Friday, September 30, 2016. Pauline was born on April 12, 1933 in Brandon, Manitoba. Pauline was always positive, loved to laugh and was always ready for an adventure. As a young single woman, Pauline worked summers at the Wigwam Restaurant at Clear Lake before beginning her clerical career at Wawanesa Mutual in Wawanesa, Manitoba. Pauline doted on her brother, Tom, who arrived in the family when she was 14 years old. In 1957 Pauline went with friends to a dance at the Orange Hall in Brandon where she met the love of her life, Fred Keilback. She married Fred on August 8, 1959 at St. Augustine Church in Brandon, Manitoba. Fred and Pauline, in their happy 57 years of marriage, had the opportunity to live in many places through Fred's service with the Canadian Armed Forces: Ottawa, where son Shane was born; London, England; Zweibrucken, West Germany, where son Brent was born; Churchill, Manitoba; Dana, Saskatchewan; Portage la Prairie; Shilo and then finally settling in Brandon. Pauline enjoyed the privilege of being able to stay at home with her two sons, until she returned to work during their teenage years. Once settled in Brandon, Pauline enjoyed a very satisfying career as a medical secretary for the Brandon General Hospital until she retired in 1995. She and Fred enjoyed traveling; spending seventeen summers at Oak Lake Resort, camping throughout Europe and visiting family in Vancouver and Kelowna, British Columbia. Fred and Pauline had many wonderful vacations across Canada; Mexico; Las Vegas and a cruise to Alaska with friends. They also fulfilled their lifelong dream of a three week vacation to Hawaii for their 40th Wedding Anniversary in 1999. Pauline had a very active social life and made lifelong friends. She was a faithful member of the St. Augustine's congregation; loved 5 pin bowling; curling and playing bridge with friends. Pauline was very devoted to her family and enjoyed cooking for everyone. She had an extra special relationship with her mother, Julia, and enjoyed going regularly for lunches on work days to her house. Pauline loved her four grandchildren very much and made many special gifts of treasured knitted outfits and blankets for them. She is survived by her devoted husband, Fred; her sons: Shane (Christine) and Brent (Karen); grandchildren: Kelsey, Bryce, Eric and Hayden; her brother Tom (Bev) as well as many nieces and nephews. Pauline was predeceased by her parents Nickolas and Julia Semeniuk and her infant brother, Joseph. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Augustine Church, 327 4th Street, Brandon, on Tuesday, October 11th, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. Interment with the immediate family will take place at a later time. Honorary Pallbearers will be: Arnold Bridgeman; Ken Gordon; Jim Mann; Mark Maxon; Brian Nelson; Donald Smith and Bernie Wielgosh. In memory of Pauline, donations may be made to Parkinson Canada, 208-1011 Rosser Avenue, Brandon, Manitoba, R7A 0L5.