Obituary of MARY CATHERINE BLEI

MARY CATHERINE BLEI (nee KLINGER) 1931 – 2022 

With deep sadness, we announce the peaceful passing of our mom, grandma and Oma at Tudor House on February 2, 2022, at the age of 91 years.

Left to remember and mourn are her daughters Lisa (Monty) Lippoway, Patti (Dennis) Beattie, Nancy (Derek) Sigurdson, her grandchildren Allison, Robert (Cristina), Matthew, Hillary (Matt), Kaylee and Stefanie, her great-grandchildren Jacob, Lucas, Alex and Oliver, her sister Theresa, and her in-laws Leni and Luise. She will be greatly missed by many nieces, nephews and lifelong friends. She was predeceased by her husband of 47 years Joseph, her parents Joseph and Rosalia (Rose), and her siblings and in-laws John and Anne, Dorothy and Don, and Erhard.

Mom was born on January 4, 1931 in Winnipeg’s North End, a neighbourhood that she loved and lived in for most of her life. She was the first of four children born to Joseph and Rose Klinger, who moved from a small village in Austria and shared their rich heritage with the family. Mom attended St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church and school, where she formed many of her lifelong friendships. She enjoyed playing baseball and bowling during her school years.

After graduating as valedictorian of her class, mom worked at Wilson’s Stationary and Western Shirt and Overall. She continued to be actively involved with the church, where she met Joseph after he immigrated from Germany. Mom and dad were married on March 2, 1957 at St. Joseph’s Church. As newlyweds, they moved to Atikokan, where mom worked for Steep Rock Iron Mines. After they moved back to Winnipeg to settle down and start their family, she worked as a bookkeeper at St. Joseph’s Residence until her retirement in 1992.

Nothing was more important to mom than her family, and she always put them first. Together with dad, they raised three daughters, and over the years the family grew to include six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Mom enjoyed the many picnics and gatherings with her extended family, including trips to Camp Morton, Kildonan Park, Assiniboine Park, and church activities. She also remained dedicated to her own mother in her declining years.

Throughout her life, mom was deeply involved with St. Joseph’s Church as well as many clubs including the Catholic Women’s League, St. Anthony of Padua’s Leisure Group, St. Joseph’s Seniors’ Club, and the Billy Mosienko bowling league. Mom and dad enjoyed travelling to numerous destinations across Canada, the United States, Europe, and Barbados. They loved going on group vacations with close friends including the Poulins, the Kents, and the Schwartzs. Mom also cherished her many pets especially Blackie, Whitey, and Smokey. In her retirement, she enjoyed volunteering and spending time with her family.  

The family would like to thank the wonderful staff and doctors at Tudor House PCH for their compassionate care of mom over the last 4 years.

 A funeral mass will be held at St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church,  Mountain and Andrews on Friday, February 11. Proof of Covid-19 vaccination and masks are mandatory. For more information about the funeral, please call 204-470-5934 or 204-229-0901 as a list of attendees is required by the church. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to a charity of your choice.