WERNER FRIEDRICH BIRKHOLZ

DECEMBER 3, 1932 – NOVEMBER 26, 2023

Werner’s life journey began in Schneidemühl, a small city in eastern Pomerania, Germany, on December 3, 1932.  His early childhood years were happy ones, but when the war forced his mother to flee with him and his five siblings, they found refuge in Greifswald on the Baltic coast, where the years following the war were very hard.

Werner and his brothers did what they could to help the family subsist. One Christmas, they even stumbled upon a goose that had been stashed under a bridge for someone’s Christmas meal.  They would never know why the goose was left there, but they triumphantly brought it home to their very grateful mother. Those difficult years no doubt contributed to making Werner the resilient problem-solver he would become.

When the political climate in East Germany became increasingly worrisome and after he had completed his apprenticeship as an electrician, Werner decided to embark on an adventure that would take him to Canada and a whole new life. It was not long after his arrival in Winnipeg that he met and fell in love with a young German immigrant girl, Resi, who would become his lifelong partner. Together they built a successful life that included rewarding careers for them both, and the arrival of two daughters, Ulrika and Alexandra.

Werner was employed with CN for 33 years, taking on many challenges and increasing responsibility throughout that time.  He was very dedicated to that career, and continued to use his skills well into retirement, spending several years teaching diesel technology in Europe.

In the early 1970s, when a friend at CN introduced him to a small, remote lake called Ottermere in Northwestern Ontario, it was the beginning of a lifelong passion for this magical place.  Werner spent many happy years expanding and improving the family cottage at Ottermere, enjoying the lake to the fullest and making lifelong friends. He was in his element working in the bush, building docks and outbuildings of all kinds, and solving a never-ending stream of mechanical, electrical, and other problems that were often discussed during the “happy hours” he so much enjoyed with his friends.  The only motivation needed for Werner to launch into a project at the lake were three little words: “can’t be done” – that was his cue to prove everyone wrong.

Werner was a character and regardless of the circumstances in which he met people, he always left his mark – whether it was at Toastmasters, singing with the German Choir of Winnipeg, bowling or volunteering at St. Ignatius Church, where he did everything from kitchen renovations and repairs, to ushering and reading at mass.

Werner’s last years were challenged by Lewy body dementia and myasthenia gravis.  Though outwardly the Werner they knew was fading, his family and friends were consoled by the knowledge that his extraordinary spirit remained, waiting to be released for his final journey.

There are so many people to thank for helping with Werner’s care in the last years of his life.  Dareen and Amjad, who lovingly cared for his personal needs, Herbert who made him smile, right to the end, Paul who captured such special images of Werner, and who led Team Birkie on the Alzheimer Walk. Many more contributed in various other ways, and the family is eternally grateful for their support. We also wish to thank the staff of 5^th floor south at the Victoria Hospital for their kind and compassionate care.

Werner was predeceased by his parents Herta and Friedrich Birkholz, his mother and father-in-law Therese and Max Buchner, and his sister Margot.  He leaves to mourn his loving wife Theresa, daughters Ulrika (Guy) and Alexandra (Gerry), his siblings Heinz, Kurt (Rosi), Gitti (Harri), Bärbel and Marlis, and numerous nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Werner’s honour to the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba.

Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, December 11, at 11:00 a.m., at St. Ignatius Roman Catholic Church, 255 Stafford Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba and officiated by Father Con Mulvihill.

For those wishing to pay their respects to Werner but who are unable to attend, the mass will be live-streamed beginning at 10:45 a.m. through the St. Ignatius Parish website [https://www.stignatius.ca] or, alternatively, at the following address: https://youtube.com/live/5aaitKEQai4?feature=share.

 You will forever be missed, Birkie, dear husband, father, and friend.