Renate Gleisner

October 21, 1939 – December 7, 2025

Mom was born in a small town in East Prussia. During the war, her family was forced to relocate with only a few belongings to an area that would later become East Germany. In her teens, she left home to live with an aunt and worked to send money back to her family. With the rise of communism, she became separated from her loved ones and eventually immigrated to Canada to join her brother in Kelowna, BC. There she met and married the love of her life—our dad.

Together they had two daughters, and Mom cherished being at home with them. She loved her flowers and singing in the church choir. She once told me her dream had been to act in theatre, and although that dream didn’t fully come to be, she found joy in performing in church plays. After Dad passed away, she moved to Mountainview Village, where joining the choir became one of her greatest highlights.

Mom had a gift for brightening people’s days. She loved giving away her baking and cooking, and later in life she delighted in gifting chocolates—often ones that had originally been given to her. One of her favourite sayings to us was, “We are the world.”

Mom was predeceased by her parents, Samuel and Hedwig Heimann; her husband of 57 years, Alfred Gleisner; and three brothers. She is survived by her brother Heinz Heimann and sister Edith Neumeister. She leaves behind her daughters, Anita (Tony) Harden and Lorraine Roth; her grandchildren Jennifer (Michael), Matthew, Jayden, and Logan; as well as many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

There were many people who touched Mom’s life, and we apologize to anyone we may have missed. We wish to offer our heartfelt thanks to the community at Mountainview Village for welcoming Mom with warmth, the staff at Cadder Court, Cottonwoods Care Centre for their kindness and care, and Dr. Medynski and her team for their exceptional support over the years.

Rest in peace, Mom. Sing with the angels.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.valleyviewfuneralhome.com for the Gleisner family.