Katherine Helen Loewen

On Saturday, February 19, 2022, our mother, grandmother and great grandmother peacefully passed away at Eagle Ridge Manor long term care in Port Moody, BC.

Katherine was born in Winkler, Manitoba the eldest daughter of Peter T. and Agatha Friesen. She grew up in a lively musical family of seven who all helped in the family business. She completed her education in Winkler High School and then was employed at Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce. In 1942, during the wars years, Katherine travelled alone to Listowel, Ontario where she married Frank G. Loewen of Winkler, as this was near where he was stationed with the army, as a member of Lord Strathcona Horse regiment. She later moved back to Manitoba to await Frank’s return from overseas, after which they made their home in Winkler.

They would subsequently have 4 children and build their house on 9th Street in Winkler where they lived until the death of our dad. She was a stay-at-home mom, as was the norm of the time, and spent her time raising her family, gardening, canning, sewing and doing laundry without the benefit of modern conveniences.

After her children were older she returned to the workforce and was in charge of the Winkler branch of the newly established Morden-Winkler Regional Library. After leaving the library, she turned her attention and passion to detailed research and compilation of her families’ stories and history. In 1983 she relocated from Manitoba to the lower mainland of BC where she lived independently up to the age of 97, when her health began to fail. She was content to spend the remainder of her life under the excellent care of Eagle Ridge Manor long-term care where she maintained a fierce independence right until the last few months of her life. We will be forever grateful to everyone at Eagle Ridge Manor for the care and compassion that made this a home for her.

Katherine had a life-long love of music and sang in community and church choirs. In her retirement years, she enjoyed adventurous trips to places like Russia, Australia, Europe and throughout Canada. She never outgrew her love of outdoor picnics, barbeques and walks.

She is remembered with love and admiration by her children, Virginia (Ginny) and Ron Peters of Morden, Manitoba, Lynette (Lyn) and Steve Boswell of Crozet, France, Cynthia (Cindy) and Dave Neufeld of Port Coquitlam, BC and daughter-in-law Iris of Sechelt, BC. Her 9 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren were very special to her and she followed their lives with great interest.

She is survived by two sisters, Lillian (Lil) Collins of Maple Ridge, BC and Deanna and Don Kohanik of Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Katherine is predeceased by husband Frank G. Loewen (1974), son Leslie (Les) Loewen (2020), and siblings, Harvey Friesen, Florence Edwards, Mabel Friesen and Ken Friesen.

We will grieve her absence but can celebrate her long active life.

To watch the service via live stream, please click the link

https://www.legacystreaming.com/dignity-port-coquitlam/

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be sent to Eagle Ridge Manor resident funds in honor of Katherine and the wonderful care she received there. There are two funds that directly benefit all the residents. Cheques can be made out to: ERM Recreation Activity Fund or ERM Recreation Garden Fund. and be sent to Eagle Ridge Manor Recreation Therapist, 475 Guildford Way, Port Moody, BC V3H 3W9

If you prefer to donate electronically instead of by cheque, please contact Lyn Loewen Boswell for the necessary information at [email protected] or via WhatsApp (ph # +33 62473 5733).

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