With thankfulness for having her in our lives, the family announces the peaceful passage of our beloved wife, mother, Oma, sister, aunt and friend on Tuesday April 18,2023. Mom had a lengthy battle with cancer, but it never stopped her from living life to the fullest. She fought with a determination and positivity that we will always be proud of and remember. She has left a legacy.
Hedwig was born on February 25,1960 in Düsseldorf Germany, the only daughter of Josef and Waltraud Kerres. She was the middle child with two brothers whom she remained close to, despite living on different continents. She spent her childhood being raised in a Catholic Christian home in Holzheim, Germany. As a child, Mom danced ballet, swam competitively, and played piano.
Her mega watt smile could light up a room, and her twinkly flirtatious eyes caught the eye of Walter at a dance club for farming families. Together they enjoyed years learning to dance as they waltzed into each others hearts.
In 1980, after having dated for several years, and seeing Walter travel to Canada for numerous farm work experiences, Mom decided to join him for her own farm work experience as a nanny with a family in Carman, MB. Having had positive experiences of farm life in Manitoba, Mom and Dad decided to attend the University of Manitoba, both graduating with their Agricultural Diplomas in 1982. In 1980, after having found a love for farming and Canada, they purchased the family farm in Roland. Mom and Dad returned briefly to Germany to be married on May 8,1982. At the tender ages of 21 and 22, respectively, Mom and Dad embarked on their new life, in a new country and became inseparable as life team mates and partners. Mom always joked that their honeymoon was to the romantic destination of the Roland Manitoba farm yard.
In 1983 their first daughter Maureen joined the family, followed by Christopher in 1985 and Monique in 1991. With their family complete, Mom found great joy in being Dad’s right hand woman operating farm equipment, doing farm books, and raising us kids. As the kids became more involved on the farm and employees joined the growing operation, Mom could be found riding in Dad’s combine for hours at a time. She dubbed herself the farm “gopher” as she would do any running around to make the season’s work run smoothly. You could find her doing parts runs, feeding large field crews lunches and suppers, or hosting farm exchange students from different parts of Europe in her home - all with a joyful smile. In addition to farming she loved her big garden, baking fresh European style bread and buns, swimming in the yard pond with us kids, being a Cub Leader, attending school dramas, band concerts, sporting events and playing games. She was a faithful attender and involved in the Morden Catholic Church and later the Morris Catholic Church. She also enjoyed her time as a board member representing the R.M of Roland on the Boundary Trails Health Center Foundation. Growing up we travelled back to Germany often as family connections, despite distance, were very important to Mom. In the summers one could always expect Mom to be hosting European family and friends who often stayed with us for weeks at a time.
One of life’s greatest joys for Mom was seeing her kids get married and the eight grandchildren that came of these unions. She was so proud of each of us and delighted her Canadian family had quickly grown from just Mom and Dad to an additional 14 of us.
In 2010 Mom and Dad moved off the farm yard to make way for Christopher and Nicole to join them as they farmed together. Mom built her dream home on an acreage a 1/4 mile from the original farm yard site.
In 2014 Moms first health challenge arose. Over the course of the next 9 years Mom would receive a new cancer diagnosis two more times. She fought cancer the way she lived - with dignity, perseverance, and hope.
The next years after Moms first diagnosis with cancer there was a realigning of Mom and Dads hobbies. Despite remaining involved in farming operations, they spent many weeks and months of their winters travelling extensively throughout Europe with their siblings. Summer season involved farming and spending time with their children and grandchildren.
In the last year, we as a family have spent numerous occasions together, noteworthy being the celebration of Mom and Dad’s 40th Anniversary last May, and her brother Clemens flying out from Germany this past February to celebrate mutual birthdays. Mom and Dad even managed one final trip to Mexico in December 2022.
Left to celebrate a life well lived, but mourn her loss are Walter her husband and teammate of 40 years, daughter Maureen Dyck (Scott), son Christopher Krapp (Nicole), daughter Monique Conrad (Colin) along with her 8 precious grandchildren; Liam, Anika, Hana, Paul, Nora, Kyle, Adley and Miles. She also leaves to mourn her mother Waltraud, mother-in-law Waltrude, two brothers Clemens and Josef, brother-in-law Rainer, sister-in-law Beate, Steffi, Susie and Jutta. She was predeceased by her father Josef and father-in-law Paul.
As per Moms wishes cremation has taken place and a private family funeral Mass will take place followed by interment at Fairview Cemetery in Roland, Manitoba.
Words cannot sufficiently express our gratitude for each nurse on the Cancer Care Unit at Boundary Trails, Dr Woelk for 9 years of compassionate care, palliative care nurse Deanne Monteith, and the medical staff at Boundary Trails Health Center. We are also thankful for family and friends who have called, texted, visited, prepared meals, and upheld our family in your thoughts and prayers. We are forever grateful.
John 11:25 “I am the resurrection and life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even though they die.”
We love you Mom.
Hedwig was born on February 25,1960 in Düsseldorf Germany, the only daughter of Josef and Waltraud Kerres. She was the middle child with two brothers whom she remained close to, despite living on different continents. She spent her childhood being raised in a Catholic Christian home in Holzheim, Germany. As a child, Mom danced ballet, swam competitively, and played piano.
Her mega watt smile could light up a room, and her twinkly flirtatious eyes caught the eye of Walter at a dance club for farming families. Together they enjoyed years learning to dance as they waltzed into each others hearts.
In 1980, after having dated for several years, and seeing Walter travel to Canada for numerous farm work experiences, Mom decided to join him for her own farm work experience as a nanny with a family in Carman, MB. Having had positive experiences of farm life in Manitoba, Mom and Dad decided to attend the University of Manitoba, both graduating with their Agricultural Diplomas in 1982. In 1980, after having found a love for farming and Canada, they purchased the family farm in Roland. Mom and Dad returned briefly to Germany to be married on May 8,1982. At the tender ages of 21 and 22, respectively, Mom and Dad embarked on their new life, in a new country and became inseparable as life team mates and partners. Mom always joked that their honeymoon was to the romantic destination of the Roland Manitoba farm yard.
In 1983 their first daughter Maureen joined the family, followed by Christopher in 1985 and Monique in 1991. With their family complete, Mom found great joy in being Dad’s right hand woman operating farm equipment, doing farm books, and raising us kids. As the kids became more involved on the farm and employees joined the growing operation, Mom could be found riding in Dad’s combine for hours at a time. She dubbed herself the farm “gopher” as she would do any running around to make the season’s work run smoothly. You could find her doing parts runs, feeding large field crews lunches and suppers, or hosting farm exchange students from different parts of Europe in her home - all with a joyful smile. In addition to farming she loved her big garden, baking fresh European style bread and buns, swimming in the yard pond with us kids, being a Cub Leader, attending school dramas, band concerts, sporting events and playing games. She was a faithful attender and involved in the Morden Catholic Church and later the Morris Catholic Church. She also enjoyed her time as a board member representing the R.M of Roland on the Boundary Trails Health Center Foundation. Growing up we travelled back to Germany often as family connections, despite distance, were very important to Mom. In the summers one could always expect Mom to be hosting European family and friends who often stayed with us for weeks at a time.
One of life’s greatest joys for Mom was seeing her kids get married and the eight grandchildren that came of these unions. She was so proud of each of us and delighted her Canadian family had quickly grown from just Mom and Dad to an additional 14 of us.
In 2010 Mom and Dad moved off the farm yard to make way for Christopher and Nicole to join them as they farmed together. Mom built her dream home on an acreage a 1/4 mile from the original farm yard site.
In 2014 Moms first health challenge arose. Over the course of the next 9 years Mom would receive a new cancer diagnosis two more times. She fought cancer the way she lived - with dignity, perseverance, and hope.
The next years after Moms first diagnosis with cancer there was a realigning of Mom and Dads hobbies. Despite remaining involved in farming operations, they spent many weeks and months of their winters travelling extensively throughout Europe with their siblings. Summer season involved farming and spending time with their children and grandchildren.
In the last year, we as a family have spent numerous occasions together, noteworthy being the celebration of Mom and Dad’s 40th Anniversary last May, and her brother Clemens flying out from Germany this past February to celebrate mutual birthdays. Mom and Dad even managed one final trip to Mexico in December 2022.
Left to celebrate a life well lived, but mourn her loss are Walter her husband and teammate of 40 years, daughter Maureen Dyck (Scott), son Christopher Krapp (Nicole), daughter Monique Conrad (Colin) along with her 8 precious grandchildren; Liam, Anika, Hana, Paul, Nora, Kyle, Adley and Miles. She also leaves to mourn her mother Waltraud, mother-in-law Waltrude, two brothers Clemens and Josef, brother-in-law Rainer, sister-in-law Beate, Steffi, Susie and Jutta. She was predeceased by her father Josef and father-in-law Paul.
As per Moms wishes cremation has taken place and a private family funeral Mass will take place followed by interment at Fairview Cemetery in Roland, Manitoba.
Words cannot sufficiently express our gratitude for each nurse on the Cancer Care Unit at Boundary Trails, Dr Woelk for 9 years of compassionate care, palliative care nurse Deanne Monteith, and the medical staff at Boundary Trails Health Center. We are also thankful for family and friends who have called, texted, visited, prepared meals, and upheld our family in your thoughts and prayers. We are forever grateful.
John 11:25 “I am the resurrection and life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even though they die.”
We love you Mom.