Ella was born in 1928 in the village of Marienthal in Bessarabia which, at the time, was a part of Romania (it's now largely the country of Moldova). Her parents, Waldemar and Ida Hommel, were ethnic Germans, descendants of German farmers who had been invited to the region in the 19th century, when it was part of the Russian empire. She had one sibling, her sister, Erika, who had been born in 1926. Ella often spoke fondly of her Bessarabian years.
In 1952, Ella and her new husband, Helmut Traichel, immigrated to Canada from West Germany. After stops in Quebec and Ontario, and the birth of their son, Bernie, they settled in Kelowna in 1956, to which destination they had been preceded by Ella's sister, Erika, and her husband, Hermann Riemer, and their young children, Wolfgang and Karin, as well as mother, Ida.
After returning to Ontario (Toronto) in 1961, Ella's life suffered a severe shock with the sudden death of her husband in June, 1962. As a result of this family tragedy, Ella and her young son returned to Kelowna.
From 1962, taking on the role of the head of the household (which had been joined by her mother, Ida), Ella worked at various restaurant and retailing jobs, until her working life came to an end with her retirement from Woolworth's in 1993.
Ella was a long-time member of Christ Lutheran Church but also showed interest in other forms of spirituality. She enjoyed visiting the German Club, having been a member for several decades. She did some traveling, visiting Mexico, Germany twice, Peru, Turkey and India.
At home, Ella enjoyed gardening, reading and, especially, sewing. She made many of her own clothes, as well as costumes for both herself and many of her friends.
Ella was preceded in death by her father in 1939, her husband in 1962, her mother in 1988 and her beloved sister, Erika, in 2013.
She is survived by family and relatives::
her son, Bernie
her nephew, Wolfgang and his wife, Lynn
her niece, Karin and her husband, Brian, and their daughters Suzanne, Laura and Nikki
relatives Wilma Lechner, Roy Lechner, Peggy Lechner and Gerhard Boepple
relatives in Colorado, USA, most notably Grete Weiss
several relatives and friends in Europe, including Ena Hommel
Friends:
Mary Van Verdegem, whom she met when working at Woolworth's and with whom she made countless visits to Perkins' Restaurant
Mona Broad and her daughters Krista and Sabrina, who thought of her as their "Grandma"
Anna and Otto Lohn and their daughter, Vicky Gyori, friends for many years
Erna Muller, her constant companion at the German Club
Neighbours, the Leeuwanghs and the Klicpers
If anyone was omitted, please accept sincere apologies.
Thanks go to the kind staff at Cottonwoods for all they did for her during her all-too-brief residency there and to her excellent, long-time doctor, Diana Imrie.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Alzheimer Society (Canada).
A viewing will be held on August 4, 11:00 AM, at First Memorial Funeral Services
1211 Sutherland Ave Kelowna, B.C.
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