Eleanor (Nora) Anneliese Froese

Mom, left us gently and peacefully with family by her side. We miss her dearly.

Mom was born to parents Margaret and Jacob Neufeld. She was predeceased by her parents, brother Johnny Neufeld, sisters-in-law Betty Klassen, Emma Froese, Tina Froese, Nettie Froese, brothers-in-law Jake Froese, John Froese, Johnny Friesen and Menno Klassen.

Mom leaves behind her adoring husband Ernie; daughter Michele Kolba; son Kurt (Laura); grandchildren Brett (Ali), Rachelle (Peter), Kyle (Hannah), Andrew, Annie and Jenna; great-grandchildren Anneliese, Jett and Henry; sister Ginger (Bob) Hyshka, sister-in-law Sadie Friesen; brother-in-law Rudy (Sandy), many nieces and nephews, and a beautiful bouquet of friends.

Mom grew up in Niverville and moved to Winnipeg once she and dad, her school sweetheart, married. They had been married nearly 62 years. One of her first career positions was a clerical post at Great West Life. Mom continued working full time then part time once her family came along.

Mom, also known as “Super Nora,” had a zest and joy for life. Their home and their Gull Lake cottage were always full, hosting many unforgettable parties with friends and family along with their children’s and grandchildren’s friends. Many of these parties included Auntie Ginger playing guitar and singing most any song requested of her. Oh these were such good times.

From dressing up for Halloween parties to exquisite Christmas displays, including her Christmas village, to fondues, birthday parties, anniversary parties, and pig roasts, there was always a reason to have a gathering. Mom made and kept many friends over the years.

During retirement at Gull Lake, mom developed another circle of precious friends through the Stead Seniors Club, where she was part of the executive board for many years. These friendships grew through their planning and attending countless events, including weekly card tournaments, exercise programs, special dinners, seasonal parties, fundraisers, charitable work, health fairs, Folklorama VIP tours and bused day trips around the province. This really is a very special community of folks.

Mom was known and admired for her arts passion and was masterful at crafts. She especially enjoyed these crafts with others from early days of decoupaging to paper tole, ceramics, needle point, knitting & quilting. Thank you Judy for completing mom’s last quilt.

She developed a love for drawing at a young age. She then participated in painting classes. She enjoyed painting in many forms from oil & acrylic to water colours, from rocks to canvas to repainting lawn ornaments to Ukrainian egg painting (pysanky).

Mom had a special knack for designing and creating Christmas decorations using various mediums from egg shells to pasta noodles & many other materials. These items became works of art and are still displayed in numerous homes.

She was a very talented seamstress with an eye for fashion. Her love for sewing and altering grew from Halloween costumes to Christmas dresses, from pyjamas to a grad dress, from cabbage patch & Barbie clothes to window dressings, providing impeccable wardrobes and accessories. She had little side gigs from sewing bags made from sofa fabric samples to mice door stoppers. Michele’s GWL colleagues are some of the clients still enjoying these creative pieces.

Mom was a crossword puzzle enthusiast. The Free Press crossword puzzle was her favourite section of the paper.

Mom was a very skilled chef and baker. If you popped by around meal time you were expected to stay as there was always more than enough. She was also known for her delicious desserts. Whatever she cooked and baked we loved.

Mom had a green thumb. Tending to her beautiful flower gardens was a favourite summer past time. Folks came from afar to admire the vibrant floral varieties and colours. There was also an abundance of vegetables, along with raspberry and haskap bushes & strawberries in her raised gardens. Once harvested, her preserves, canned goods and dehydrated herbs were shared with family and friends.

Mom had a passion for birds during winter months. With numerous bird feeders, along with an ideal bird habitat, more than 50 birds visited their deck daily. She sure enjoyed hanging out with these feathered friends.

League bowling was her favourite sport for many years, both at Billy Mosienko & Rossmere Lanes. She was proud of her many trophies and numerous “300” game pins. A walk over to Kelekis with her teammates after Friday’s league games was a ritual.

Her Harbourview golf league was another one of her favourite summer pastimes. She made numerous close friends through this league.

In earlier days, mom & dad enjoyed being part of the Trail Blazers snowmobile club travelling around the province while enjoying our great outdoors.

Mom & dad enjoyed travelling, including family trips across North America. Her adventures included learning how to ski at Sunshine Village and enjoying rides at Disneyland under the California sun. Annual summer trips to Detroit Lakes prior to having a cabin. There were the annual Las Vegas trips with friends. The semi annual (spring & fall) trips to Traverse City, Michigan to visit Kurt’s clan. Many adventures were had while attending annual Calgary & Toronto furniture convention shows. There were numerous hockey trips from Weyburn, SK to Europe. Retirement allowed for winters in Arizona with lots of shopping sprees, restaurants, concerts, R&R and visits with local and Canadian friends. Her favourite trips were to Gull Lake. One of these trips eventually turned into owning their own cabin. Thirty years later they had the cabin removed and their latest dream home constructed. We have been enjoying “the lake” for nearly 50 years now.

Her other interests over the years include reading, skating, cross country skiing, water skiing, boating & especially playing cards. Amongst all of this she found time for her elephant collection.

Mom’s greatest love was her family. Her grandchildren and great grandchildren were extra special. The love and support she gave us was immeasurable. She was proud to share our successes with others.
We are truly blessed to have had such a loving & devoted wife, mom, grandma, great-grandma, sister, sister-in-law, aunt, cousin & friend who put our needs ahead of her own. Although mom can’t be replaced, her many precious teachings will live with us forever.

Mom’s zest for life & family & friends will live on!

As mom's kids, we are especially thankful to you dad for your steadfast love and caring for mom and all the special support you learned how to give her during these past few months. She knew all along that you would truly continue to be a great husband.

To our family and friends, we appreciate your love, affection, support and your prayers offered to Mom and Dad and our family, especially over this past while.

Many heartfelt thanks to the dedicated staff at Selkirk General Hospital who went above and beyond with their kindness and companionate care, ensuring mom was always comfortable. We are grateful mom had the “penthouse” suite. Yes, the nicest room (including the best view) in the hospital. A special thank you to Dr. Vosters & Dr. Demsas who treated mom as family with both their expertise & their hearts. She loved you all & as did her family.

Cremation has taken place. Join us in remembering mom at her Celebration of Life Tuesday, August 16, 2022 at 11:00 am at Albright church, 415 Maxwell King Drive.


“In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Interlake Eastern Health Foundation for the Selkirk Regional Health Centre gardens at P.O Box 5000 120 Easton Drive Selkirk, MB R1A 2M2 or donate online at www.iehf.ca in memory of Nora Froese.”

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