Obituary of COLLEEN ANNE BUECKERT

Colleen Anne Bueckert (née Nickel) May 17, 1958 – September 13, 2012 It is with heavy hearts and profound sadness that the family of Colleen (Col) Bueckert announces her passing on Thursday, September 13, 2012. Colleen lost her short fight with cancer and passed away in her home with her husband Eric and children Josh and Katherine at her side. Colleen was a loving wife, mother and grandmother who will be deeply missed by her family who are still shocked at the speed and aggressiveness of her disease. Colleen is survived by her loving husband of 34 years Eric; her mother Tina Falk of Winkler; one son Joshua (Kate Headley) of Ottawa; one daughter Katherine (Chad Hildebrand) and two grandchildren Isabella and Ryder of Stony Mountain; her brother Wayne Nickel of Kelvington, SK, niece Carmelle (Brian) Voth of St. Agathe, nephew Dallas Nickel of Kelvington, SK, great nephew Jaxon, nephew Cody Nickel of Winkler; brother Andrew Nickel of Winkler, nieces Madison, Taylor, Sabrina and nephew Carson; father-in-law Peter Bueckert of Winnipeg; brother-in-law Al Bueckert (Christine) of Vancouver, BC, niece Kimberley; sister-in-law Vera Bueckert-Eidse, niece Vanessa (Neil) Townsend of Winnipeg great nephews Luke, Gabriel and Elias, niece Alison (Cory) Froehlich of Winnipeg; sister-in-law Lynn Bueckert (Craig Derksen) of Vancouver, BC. Colleen was predeceased by her father Benjamin Nickel, mother-in-law Eva Bueckert and brother-in-law Bryan Eidse. Colleen was born in Winkler, MB and raised on the family farm in Rosetown, MB. She graduated from Mennonite Collegiate Institute in Gretna in 1976. Colleen and Eric knew each other from a young age growing up in the same church at Rosetown. They began dating in 1975 and were married on June 4, 1978. Colleen was baptized upon the confession of her faith in 1980 in the Gretna Mennonite Church and was later confirmed into the United Church in Altona in 2003. Colleen and Eric spent the first 12 years together in Gretna where they built their life together and raised their family of two children. Colleen managed the bulk fuel agency her and Eric had purchased in 1981 and Eric managed the family car dealership. After the sale of the fuel agency in 1989 Colleen held various positions at Golden West Broadcasting, Leisure Travel Vans, Bueckert Motors, Red River Mutual Insurance and Appelts Jewellery. Throughout her professional career in a variety of industries, she strived to provide a shining example for women of current and future generations to balance professional advancement with dedication to family and community service. In December of 2009 Eric accepted a position at Eastern Chrysler in Winnipeg and in May of 2010 Colleen and Eric moved to a country home just outside of Birds Hill where they planned to grow old together. Colleen was a partner in Grandeur Housing in Winkler. Her father was one of the founders in 1976 and Colleen felt a close personal bond to all her fellow partners and was proud to continue her Dad’s vision of a Christian-based employer and manufacturer of modular homes. Colleen had very eclectic tastes  she loved music, was an Elvis fan, loved to dance up a storm to rock & roll and a good slow dance with Eric. She enjoyed Eric Clapton or Aerosmith concerts, but also loved to go to the symphony, ballet and opera. At home she would let Eric play his blues CDs, but if he left and she was alone she’d listen to classical. She loved to read and kept long lists of books read, books I own and books I must read. Her favourite was War and Peace. Colleen let Eric drag her to countless car shows and museums and in return Eric would take her to as many art galleries, heritage homes, cathedrals, museums and antique malls as anyone could care to go to. She preferred most things understated and not flashy but loved her bling when it came to her jewelry  "I don’t do tacky," she’d say. Colleen and Eric loved to travel, their numerous winter getaways together and especially the annual summer road trips as the kids grew up. Colleen was enjoying planning a trip to Italy this fall when she got sick. As a wife, mother and friend, Colleen was a constant source of love and support to all of those in her life. She happily took on the role of confidant for many people. Nothing was ever too good for Eric and the kids. She constantly reminded us that she was Eric’s biggest fan and he was her rock. Her passing will leave a huge void in the lives of all those who were close to her, one that can never be filled. Even during her last days, she made the effort to comfort and support her family and friends struggling with the speed of this shocking illness. A Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, September 20 at 1:00 p.m. at Cropo Funeral Chapel, 1442 Main Street with viewing prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: The Movement Centre of Manitoba Inc. www.movementcentre.ca. The Movement Centre is where Colleen’s great-nephews Gabriel and Elias receive treatment for mobility. Colleen believed very strongly in the work the Movement Centre does and was active with their fundraising activities.