Doreen Helen Zacharias
(nee Letkeman)
September 10, 1931 - October 22, 2025
Our mother and grandmother Doreen Helen Zacharias of Winnipeg passed away peacefully on at the age of 94 years. Mom was predeceased by her husband John in 2001, her parents Henry & Mary Letkeman, sister Grace, brothers Ivan, Jake, & Frank.
She leaves behind her daughter Barb & Abe Thiessen of Edmonton, Les & Galina, Howie & Kathy, Tim & Corinne, from Winnipeg & area, 9 grandchildren & 10 great grandchildren. Left to mourn are 2 sisters, Eileen Wieler from Winkler & Mary-Anne Wiebe from Winnipeg, several sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law and their families.
When I think back of what Mom was capable of, I fail miserably. She was able to adjust to the many moves Dad & her made in life. Living on the farm in their earlier years and Dad also working shift work, Mom was actively involved in milking, attending to the animal needs, gardening, and canning. We often could smell the aroma of freshly baked cinnamon buns and other goodies when we came home from school. Our lunches were always filled with a variety of delicious food. We always had gifts for Christmas and food on the table.
Mom & Dad were able to travel to B.C. a few times and even vacationed in Florida on their own. Our family trip to B.C. has been often mentioned.
I don't think Mom considered herself as a sewer per see but she made sure our clothes were mended and often made her own patterns for simple sewing. My Christmas or Easter dress was always made by someone else. Later on in life she used her artistic talents in quilting large blankets, embroidery, and knitting.
You can see some of them on the table.
As I recall Mom really enjoyed having moved to Winnipeg in
1975. Our whole family was there until Abe & I were transferred to Alberta. Winnipeg gave her the opportunity to be more independent and work for other families cleaning their homes. She became more social with her neighbors after having been quite secluded on the farm. Attending church had always been part of her life but she preferred not to get involved. I wish I could have questioned her when she was still capable of answering. Like where was their first house or how long did you go out together? One of the pics I believe is after their baptism at the GlenCross church as well as their marriage was held at GlenCross in 1951. I do remember her singing when Les was a baby rocking him to sleep but she always said she couldn't sing.
Getting back to us moving away to AB, Mom & Dad were always hoping we would move back to MB. They made an effort to come visit us at least twice a year until Dad got sick. Our boys knew when Grandma came we would have perogies and peppernuts for sure. They always arrived with goodies and canned vegetables.
As a family we must definitely say that since Dad passed Mom certainly became more physically and mentally challenged. At first she threw herself into volunteering at the Morden Thrift store as many days as she was able but we realized that she was having some challenges. She had always thought she would like to move back to Winnipeg as having moved to Morden had not been her idea. Determination on our part made her time not always as enjoyable as we would have liked. Personally I think, and maybe my brothers as well didn't know how dementia could change someone's personality.
I would like to thank our Aunt Mary-Anne for her weekly visits. I felt guilty not being there more often and she made up for my absence. But we are grateful for the fond memories we do have. Memories like when I last visited her now in September. I was able to rub her feet another time, clip her fingernails, and coax her to eat something. She was quite content to have me play some hymns on the piano once I found a Catholic hymnbook. After that I wheeled her into her room and had to say good-bye for one last time.
Donations may be made to a charity of choice.
(nee Letkeman)
September 10, 1931 - October 22, 2025
Our mother and grandmother Doreen Helen Zacharias of Winnipeg passed away peacefully on at the age of 94 years. Mom was predeceased by her husband John in 2001, her parents Henry & Mary Letkeman, sister Grace, brothers Ivan, Jake, & Frank.
She leaves behind her daughter Barb & Abe Thiessen of Edmonton, Les & Galina, Howie & Kathy, Tim & Corinne, from Winnipeg & area, 9 grandchildren & 10 great grandchildren. Left to mourn are 2 sisters, Eileen Wieler from Winkler & Mary-Anne Wiebe from Winnipeg, several sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law and their families.
When I think back of what Mom was capable of, I fail miserably. She was able to adjust to the many moves Dad & her made in life. Living on the farm in their earlier years and Dad also working shift work, Mom was actively involved in milking, attending to the animal needs, gardening, and canning. We often could smell the aroma of freshly baked cinnamon buns and other goodies when we came home from school. Our lunches were always filled with a variety of delicious food. We always had gifts for Christmas and food on the table.
Mom & Dad were able to travel to B.C. a few times and even vacationed in Florida on their own. Our family trip to B.C. has been often mentioned.
I don't think Mom considered herself as a sewer per see but she made sure our clothes were mended and often made her own patterns for simple sewing. My Christmas or Easter dress was always made by someone else. Later on in life she used her artistic talents in quilting large blankets, embroidery, and knitting.
You can see some of them on the table.
As I recall Mom really enjoyed having moved to Winnipeg in
1975. Our whole family was there until Abe & I were transferred to Alberta. Winnipeg gave her the opportunity to be more independent and work for other families cleaning their homes. She became more social with her neighbors after having been quite secluded on the farm. Attending church had always been part of her life but she preferred not to get involved. I wish I could have questioned her when she was still capable of answering. Like where was their first house or how long did you go out together? One of the pics I believe is after their baptism at the GlenCross church as well as their marriage was held at GlenCross in 1951. I do remember her singing when Les was a baby rocking him to sleep but she always said she couldn't sing.
Getting back to us moving away to AB, Mom & Dad were always hoping we would move back to MB. They made an effort to come visit us at least twice a year until Dad got sick. Our boys knew when Grandma came we would have perogies and peppernuts for sure. They always arrived with goodies and canned vegetables.
As a family we must definitely say that since Dad passed Mom certainly became more physically and mentally challenged. At first she threw herself into volunteering at the Morden Thrift store as many days as she was able but we realized that she was having some challenges. She had always thought she would like to move back to Winnipeg as having moved to Morden had not been her idea. Determination on our part made her time not always as enjoyable as we would have liked. Personally I think, and maybe my brothers as well didn't know how dementia could change someone's personality.
I would like to thank our Aunt Mary-Anne for her weekly visits. I felt guilty not being there more often and she made up for my absence. But we are grateful for the fond memories we do have. Memories like when I last visited her now in September. I was able to rub her feet another time, clip her fingernails, and coax her to eat something. She was quite content to have me play some hymns on the piano once I found a Catholic hymnbook. After that I wheeled her into her room and had to say good-bye for one last time.
Donations may be made to a charity of choice.