Obituary of VIOLA ANITA KELSCH

VIOLA ANITA KELSCH Peacefully, on Sunday, June 14, 2015, Viola Kelsch, our beloved Mother and Grandmother passed away at West Park Manor. Grama was born in Winnipeg in 1921. She attended St. Joseph's Catholic School until Grade 9 and thereafter, St. John's High School. After graduation from St. John's High School, Grama enrolled at the Winnipeg Commercial College. While at Commercial College, Grama joined the Alpha Iota International Sorority, Chi Alpha Chapter. Looking through Grama's sorority year book, it appears she had a number of gentleman callers, but it was that dashing hockey player, Johnny Kelsch, who caught her eye and in the mid-1940’s they were married. Grama and Grampa camped at West Hawk Lake during the summer months in the late 40's. In 1954 they built their cottage at West Hawk in the "McKenzie Beach” subdivision. Life was good and the marriage produced two sons, Brian and Douglas. McKenzie Beach was a special place. At the end of every school year the car was packed and Grama, with the kids, stayed at the lake for the full two months of summer. Grampa would come out to the lake every weekend. Every weekend, the dads would come out on Friday night and spend the weekend. Come Sunday night, the dads would head home and back to work. The mothers remained at the lake, some 8 or 10 mothers, and did not go back to the city until the end of August. Remember, there was no electricity or running water and lots of bears !! Somehow this group of 8 to 10 mothers managed to keep everything running smoothly. These women obviously bonded and each took turns watching each other’s kids. Leaving the lake in September was always a sad day. Grama has said on many occasions that those summer days at the lake with the kids were some of the best times of her life. In due course grandchildren showed up and both Grama and Grampa looked after the grandchildren and spent the summer months with the grandkids at the lake. Not having to go back to the city at the end of a weekend was something both Grama and Grampa looked forward to. As well, there was a special bond between Grama and Grampa and their grandchildren. In 1975, after a few months in Maui, Grama and Grampa returned to Winnipeg, following which Grampa had a massive heart attack and died. These were dark days for Grama, who missed the love of her life. Although physically healthy, life was not the same without Grampa. Grama spent her last years at West Park Manor and saw her grandchildren often, but it was not the same, and over the last month or so it was clear that Grama was at peace and was ready to move on and re-unite with Grampa, which she had now done. As per Viola’s wishes a private entombment will be held.