Emma Mantel

Left to treasure her memory are her devoted children Marianne and Al (Alojz) Horvat, Erwin and Kim Mantel, Grandchildren Melanie (Justin), Mark, Amanda (Jesse), Amber (Chris), Alyson (Sean) and Abbey (Matthew) and 7 Great Grandchildren Claire, Elise, Charleigh, Austyn, Landon, Isaac and Molly and her numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her loving husband Tony (Anton) in 1998. She was the last of the 10 Weiss siblings.

Born on March 20th, 1924 to Josef and Johanna Weiss in Katzendorf, Gottschee in former Yugoslavia. She was the seventh child of ten and grew up as a humble farmers daughter. In 1941, she, along with her parents and two younger brothers fled war torn Yugoslavia. The Weiss family ended up in a refugee camp in Austria. There she met Tony after he returned from the war. They married in 1951. In 1956 along with 2-year-old Marianne the young family moved to Leduc. In 1960 Erwin was born and they built the house in South Telford where she lived until 2018 when she went into care at Extendicare.

After arriving in Leduc in 1956 the family joined and helped to build St. Boniface Catholic Church in Edmonton. This German speaking congregation became a central force for her. Many of her lifelong friendships were formed in the church family. As a devout Catholic, Emma made sure that the family attended mass every Sunday, no matter the weather or how late anyone had been up the night before. No excuses except severe illness or travel!

She found so much pleasure in cooking, baking, crocheting, knitting, curling, gardening, camping, Royal Purple and hockey, to name a few.

But her greatest joys were her family, friends, and children, especially the babies. She was the best babysitter ever and took care of numerous nephews, nieces, and acquaintances children and of course her beloved grandchildren.

Many received gifts of her wonderful homemade noodles, prized plum kuchen and apple strudels and of course dishcloths and afghans. She truly had a giving heart.

We are forever grateful to the many staff, volunteers, residents and family members at Extendicare that cared for her over the last 5 years. Thank you for listening to her stories and getting to know her and of course for sharing your stories with us.

A funeral service will be held for her at 11 AM on Thursday January 19th at St. Michael's Catholic Parish, 5105 - 45A Street, Leduc, AB.

Memorial donations may be made to the Stollery Children's Hospital Foundation or a charity of your choice.

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