The family is saddened to announce the passing of our beloved mother, sister, grandmother and wife Elizabeth, age 95, at Hospice in Victoria, B.C., on Friday May 7th, 2021.She was born in Steinbach, MB. on June 16,1925 to John H.W. Reimer and Anna D. Reimer (nee Toews). She was the middle of six daughters: Naomi, Wendolyn, Martini, Hildegard and LInea. All of these predeceased her, except for Martini.
Elizabeth married Bruno Derksen, co-owner of Derksen Printers, on Dec. 31, 1943. Together they had four children: Michael (Margaret), Audrey (Ilkka Salo), Gregory (Lynda Morrison) and Anthony (Susan). Bruno died at age 43 on June 4th, 1967, leaving her a widow with her youngest child Anthony, just three years old.
She found love again when she married Dennis Bartel in 1970. He took on the role of father and grandfather and even great grandfather with great love and devotion.
At the age of 75, Elizabeth learned to use a computer so she could write and publish four books of poetry and chronicles of her life’s journey. She was a voracious reader, endlessly intellectually curious, a keen follower of politics, and deeply spiritual.
She leaves behind her husband Dennis, her four children and nine grandchildren: Theresa McArthur, David Derksen, Ruth Morris, Aisia Salo, Kai Salo, Christopher Morrison, Keegan Bartel and Reece Bartel. One grandson, Christopher Derksen, predeceased her in 1990. She also leaves behind nine great grandchildren: Grace, Dayna, Robin, Charlie, Averi, Iris, Macy, Thea and Mikko. She also leaves many nieces and nephews.
If you wish to make a donation to Victoria Hospice or the Mennonite Central Committee in her name, that would be much appreciated. No service will be held at this time.
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