Martha Brouwers

After a life full of love and hard work, our dear Mother, Oma, Oma-Oma, Tanta, and friend Martha Brouwers went to see her Lord on January 31st, 2025. Martha passed peacefully, and was surrounded by her family in her final hours, under the gracious care of Bethania Personal Care Home.

Martha was predeceased by an infant daughter, her parents, her husband, all her siblings and her son-in-love, Robert Payne. She is survived by her children Bernie (Emily) and Barbara. Nieces; Dianne Baker and Brenda Wangert. Nephews; Rick and Randy Zimmer. Grandchildren Kristina, Sarah, Jeffery, Emily and Grandson-in-love Jeffery. Great Grandchildren; Jentje and Julia.

"95, that's a lot of years" - Martha remarked, seemingly surprised by her own longevity. Yet, despite a few dress rehearsals, and knowing that she herself was ready to be free of her well-lived body here on Earth, we had all hoped she would see her way to one more spring.

Our Martha Brouwers was born on May 16th, 1929, in Mariauka Poland, parents Linda and Adolf Wangert. She was the first of four children, sister Wanda, and brothers Rudi and Willi. Martha was reluctant to talk about her childhood, as it was unimaginable for anyone who did not also endure such difficulty. Instead, she would share the happier memories.

The family was forced to flee to Germany, where Martha was able to attend a few years of school before entering the workforce at 14 as kitchen help for a farm family.

In June of 1949, Martha and her family journeyed to Canada, crossing the Atlantic on the RMS Scythia, where despite a rough sailing, many lasting friendships were made. They settled in Vegreville, Alberta, and started work to repay their passage.

It was at a wedding in Langenberg, Saskatchewan, where Martha (5'4'') met her future husband, Jentje Brouwers. (6'5'') The two were married on July 5th, 1952 at St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Winnipeg. They began their life by first sharing a third floor attic apartment on Magnus Avenue before moving to their dream property on Henderson Highway in 1958, with the requirements that it would be "big enough for a garden."

Martha and Jentje's first child, a baby girl named Ingrid, was born in January 1953, but sadly she did not survive infancy. They would carry on to welcome a son Bernard in 1956, and a daugther Barbara in 1960. The children were raised on homegrown vegetables, homemade preserves, and hours of sunshine. Friends stopped by regularly, and no one was to leave without sharing a meal. Martha was known to say "Eat, eat, eat, I made it just for you."

After years of planning by Jentje, and many discussions during the winter months, Martha's dream of a new house came true in 1973. During construction of the house, from recycled lumber, the garden was still grown, vegetables still picked and sold daily from the iconic #9 stand on Henderson highway. Martha was part of the work party that built the house, and then fed everyone before they could leave.

Following the early passing of her husband in 1994, Martha carried on with remarkable strength, and grace. She obtained her drivers license at the age of 65, continued to garden, and took up swimming with friends. She was a formidable participant in the West Kildonan Horticultural Society, entering many award winning flower arrangements and vegetable selections. She maintained a variety of hobbies, needle-point, knitting, ceramics to name a few. She loved music, most notably classical, and especially when performed live by loved ones, or sung by visiting choirs.

Martha loved, and was loved dearly, by many friends. She and Jentje immersed themselves in a 'found family' of kind, hardworking folks with similar origin stories to their own. She loved to be outside - her garden was her life's work, and very much her legacy. Upon being introduced to Martha, one would be sure to learn about the garden - grand in size, and yields, and work, but with each row dedicatedly planted by hand. Crops were rotated, favourite varieties chosen, wisdom acquired and shared.

Throughout her life, Martha was guided by her faith, and an unwavering commitment to her Lord. She adored her husband, Jentje, and remained steadfastly devoted to him. Her love was abundant, and endless.

In her last act, Oma became an anchor, a magnet, and a safe.

As her family began to float apart growing their own families and lives, a visit to Oma to gather in the Tea House, or in the garden of Bethania brought everyone back to a common meeting place. Sometimes there was lengthy conversation, sometimes there was hands held with eyes closed for an afternoon snooze. Puzzles were pieced together, and Many hours of Chinese Checkers were played, and raspberry jello was shared.

Wise because of, and beyond her years (all 95 of them), she provided a magnet to our internal compasses, providing direction and advice at times of difficulty and indecision.

And a safe. Oma gave us a safe place to share our stories, learn lessons, and grow. Her hands may no longer be here to hold, and her shoulders no longer available to rest on, but her spirit and memory will endure to inspire and comfort us always.

My angel, my angel. My darling, my angel.

Thank you for the visit. Auf Wiedersehen.

So long for now.

The family would like to extend their immense gratitude to all those who kept our Oma in their thoughts and prayers, and to the entire team at Bethania who cared for and supported Oma through her final years.

Service of Remembrance will be held at 2:30 PM on Wednesday February 12 at Klassen Funeral Home, 1897 Henderson Hwy. Martha will be laid to rest forever with her beloved husband Jentje at Brookside Cemetery.