Obituary of Eleonore "Ellie" Neufeld

Eleonore Neufeld was born on August 9,1921, in Petrosport, Prussia to K. Irma (nee Bahjor) and Gerhard P. Neufeld. Eleonore passed away on Sunday, February 28, 2016 at the Red River Valley Lodge in Morris, Manitoba. In 1926, at the age of 5 Eleonore along with her entire family, boarded the Empress of France and sailed to North America. They settled in Gretna, Manitoba where her father attended MCI to learn English. Eleonore, her two sisters, and brother adapted to their new life. Stricken with rheumatic fever, her brother Waldemar passed away at age 13 in 1929. Eleonore's parents were teachers, so education was important for their daughters. Eleonore was the youngest of the three girls, however they all attended Wolsley College at the same time and earned their teaching diplomas. Eleonore worked for a lawyer in Altona as a secretary and then as a secretary for the Ag Rep. also in Altona. Eleonore moved in with her parents in the 1960’s. It was during this time, Eleonore enrolled at MBBC and graduated in 1968. Eleonore's father passed away from a heart attack in 1968 at age 78. During most of the 70's Eleonore taught mentally challenged children. She loved this position immensely and found it very rewarding although sometimes very difficult. She put many smiles on her students faces and felt much love in return. Eleonore remained with her mother through all these years and dutifully cared for her mother until she passed away in 1984 at age 97. Now alone, Eleonore made the decision to sell the home in Winnipeg and return to their summer home in Rosenort on the banks of the Morris River. Eleonore was forced to move the house up from the river bank due to reoccurring threats of flooding. Here she made her home, for the first time on her own. Rosenort was her community, the residents her friends. Everyone knew "Ellie" as she walked almost everywhere in town. After many good years, the house and yard became to much work for her. She moved into an apartment in Morris for a number of years, and then happily back to Rosenort to the Heritage Apartments. The Dementia began slowly, and we watched her go through the phases of Alzheimer's over a period of many years. Finally it was time to be in a Personal Care home, and it was at Red River Valley Lodge in Morris where she lived out her final days. She passed peacefully to rejoin her family members who had all predeceased her. In order: Brother Waldemar, Father, Rev. Gerhard P Neufeld, sister Connie (Peter Wiebe), mother Irma, sister Cornelia, (Abe Siebert). She is also predeceased by one niece Judith Marlene Wiebe, one nephew Paul Siebert, one great niece Christie Lynn Wiebe. She is survived by one niece: Nancy Wiebe, 5 nephews: Eugene (Pat) Wiebe, Robert (Susan) Wiebe, Phil (Shirley) Siebert, Jon (Evelyn) Siebert, James (Anne) Siebert, and their families. A memorial service will be held, Sunday, April 24, 2016, at the Heritage Manor in Rosenort, Manitoba at 3:00pm. Burial will take place at the Rosenort E.M.C. Cemetery prior to the funeral at 2:00pm. The family would like to thank Eleonore's friends for their visits to Ellie, as well as all the Doctors, nurses, cooks, and staff who cared for her over many years at Heritage Manor and Red River Valley Lodge. May God Bless you all.