Obituaries

ELSJE “ELSY” BACHERT

Elsje “Elsy” Bachert, aged 90 of Winnipeg, Manitoba passed away on Monday 20 July 2026 at St. Boniface Hospital with her friend Keith Plantje by her side.

Elsy was born 15 Aug 1935 in Utrecht, Holland to parents Jentja and Jansje Degroot. She lived there until her early 20’s when she immigrated to Souris, Manitoba, Canada to be near her sisters Sjoukje “Jo” and Wilhelma “May”. When May married and moved to Winnipeg, Elsy decided to move to Winnipeg and spent the remainder of her life there. Most of her career was in banking, where her ability to speak five languages was a great asset. Elsy really loved living in Winnipeg and though she didn’t make use of her drivers license she could give directions to get around the city with remarkable accuracy,

Elsy’s family has fond memories of watching her dance at the Dutch Pavillion during Folklorama and staying at her cottage on Lake Winnipeg during the summer. Whether at the cottage or at home, Elsy and her family spent hours doing two of her favorite things; listening to classical music and putting puzzles together. Elsy’s family will always remember the elegant sandwiches she would make … with liver sausage instead of butter and piled high with various deli meats. Elsy also loved to hook rugs that she had in her own home and gave away to family and friends. She loved her family and absolutely loved cats. “Fiver” named so because he cost her $5 to adopt from the local animal shelter was a long lived little black & white one that left everyone with fond memories. Elsy never had children of her own but made many special memories with her nieces and nephews. Lorinda’s son, Jacob (Elsy’s great nephew), invited her to his university graduation where she sat with them and afterward, went shopping, went for supper and played games with them into the evening. During her teenage years Janine (Elsy’s niece) felt a special bond with Aunt Elsy because she was invited to spend a week with her every summer. Elsy was loving, quirky, funny, kind and will be greatly missed by everyone who knew her. She will live on in the hearts of her family and friends who loved her dearly.

Following her wishes there will be no service held for Elsy. Anyone wishing to honour her memory can please donate in her name to a local cat or animal shelter. She would have loved that.

Elsy was preceded in death by her parents Jentja & Jansje DeGroot, sisters Wilhemina DeGroot, Sjoukje Symons & Wilhelma Paterson, brothers-in-law John Symons Sr. &Jim Paterson, husband Tony Bachert, and nephew John Symons Jr.

Elsy is survived by nieces & spouses Janine & Terry Johnson, Lorinda & Mike Abbey, Cindy & Tim Jones and Nicole & Ross Kroeker, nephews & spouses Bob & Phyllis Symons and Mike Paterson, great nieces & spouses Jennifer Johnson, Brena Abbey & Riley Cram and Jordynn Kroeker, great nephews and partners David Johnson & Melissa Slaughter, Jacob Abbey & Stacey West, Scot Jones, Matthew Jones, Leland Kroeker and Roman Kroeker, and great great nieces Aurora Wade Johnson and Paige Johnson.