Wilma Kotlewski

Wilma was born on November 16, 1926 in Dermansdorf, Ukraine, the third child of Gustav and Berta Neumann. About two centuries ago families in Germany left to trek to the Ukraine and other eastern European countries. One of the conditions of life they accepted is that they would be allowed to retain their German culture. Germany, as we know it, did not exist until 1871. Before that, most of the land consisted of hundreds of small states and free cities controlled by wealthy lords. Living conditions were very difficult. Most of the peasants or common people lived under the protection of one of the local lords. In most cases, he dictated living conditions totally for them – who they could marry, what crops they could plant, what religion they could have and then taxed them heavily for money and goods to provide for his household needs. This was in exchange of his protection of them. Many Germans responded to Catherine, the Great’s manifesto (1763) which was widely circulated in central Europe. This is how Wilma came to be born in a German village in the Ukraine.

Wilma was raised by her grandparents, Ernst and Otilie Strebel until the age of 12 when she was re-united with her mother and siblings. Because of the war, her family went back to Germany by horse and wagon sometimes during extreme winter weather. On the way from Poland to Germany, she was asked by others to sit in their wagon because she was walking. Wilma politely declined and fortunately she did, because the driver of that wagon decided to turn back and had she been with them, she would have been separated from her family.

After WW2, in 1948, Berta Neumann and her children were sponsored to come to Canada by Berta’s brother, Ewald Strebel who arrived to Canada in the early 1900’s. They came to Canada on the ship – Beaverbray - seeking a new and better life. Wilma worked in Didsbury for a short period of time then moved to Calgary. Franklin Graham said it best when he said “In Canada, people who lost everything in the country they came from had a chance to start over again and make it.” In 1949, Wilma and her sister were looking for a room in a rooming house and there she met Jozef who resided there. Joe and Wilma were married at Jehovah Lutheran Church on November 5, 1949. There was no honeymoon although they celebrated by going out for supper at a restaurant in Calgary. Their first home was a garage in a rooming house on 7th Avenue by City Hall. One winter when it was -35 degrees F, there was a flood so they had to re-locate to another rooming house on 13th Avenue S.E. by the Stampede grounds. They were blessed with two children – a daughter Helen (Terry) and a son, Jerry (Debbie). When Helen was one year old they moved into their home on Colgrove Avenue, a lot Jozef purchased for $360. The following year lot prices went up to $1,000. When they purchased the lot from the city, people asked “why do you want to live all alone up on that windy hill?” At that time, the North Hill Shopping Centre was the end of the city. Today, this is a prime lot overlooking the downtown city of Calgary with a spectacular view of the Rocky Mountains.

The pride and joy of Wilma has always been her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She adored children and played with them. It was not unusual to see Wilma playing hide and seek or dolls with them or chasing them down the hallway at the retirement centre. Helen and Terry’s were born first. Kirsten in 1979, Jonathan in 1981 and Kristel in 1983. Then Jerry and Debbie’s children were born beginning with Jamie in 1988, Ryan in 1990 and the twins – Jason and David – in 1994. Wilma has four great-grandchildren – Lily (10), Eva (6), Elijah (6) and Jonas (2). Extra special to Wilma was when Kristel was born on her birthday on November 16, 1983. She became Gramma’s “birthday girl.” Extra special to Wilma was the birth of the twins, Jason and David and the wedding of her oldest grand-daughter, Kirsten, on her birthday – November 16, 2002. She loved all her grandchildren equally including the “in-laws.” They knew and felt it.

Wilma lived a courageous life, going through difficult times during the war, starting over in Germany then immigrating to Canada. Through it all, she remained positive, worked hard and with a strong faith in Christ, her strength of character persevered, leaving family and friends with many fond and loving memories. Wilma graduated to glory on December 18, 2016 at the age of 90 years after 3 days of being very sick. She is survived by her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She is also lovingly remembered by her sister Elsie (Harry) of Calgary, a half brother, Harry, of Australia and four half sisters – Helli, Erika, Elfrieda and Margareta of Norway. Wilma is also survived by a host of relatives and friends which include many nieces, nephews and cousins. Helli cannot be here for the service but will be lighting a candle on December 22 to show her love and support. Wilma is predeceased by her husband, Jozef (2012); mother, Berta (1969); father, Gustav (1992); twin sisters Erna and Irma (1932); brother Willi (2008); sister, Olga (2012); and brother Gerhard (2016).

A scripture that reflects some of Wilma’s last days is found in 2 Timothy 4:6 and reads, “My life is coming to an end. I’ve fought the good fight. I’ve competed the race. I have kept the faith. The prize that shows I have God’s approval is now waiting for me.” Wilma will be so dearly missed by all who knew her. We are thankful to the Lord that she was with us until the age of 90. Even though we mourn Wilma’s absence, we rejoice that she has gone to be with the Lord.

Wilma’s family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to all the staff at the Whitehorn Village Retirement Centre for their loving and compassionate care of Wilma over the last four years – from Dr. Berrow to the nurse clinician, nurses, LPNs, attendants, food services and housekeeping staff. A special thank you to Robert Hildenbrandt and Peter Adria for faithfully visiting, singing and praying with Mom and to our Hawkwood Baptist Church family who regularly prayed for Mom. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts which have no bottom!

Viewing will be held at Foster’s Garden Chapel, 11:30AM on December 22, 2016. Interment to follow at Queen’s Park Cemetery. Memorial Service, 2:00PM, Renfrew Baptist Church, 1204 – Renfrew Drive N.E. Calgary. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made directly to Camp Caroline, Box 250, Caroline, AB T0M 0M0 www.campcaroline.ab.ca