(April 30, 1935 - Nov. 22, 2008)
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved wife, Mom, Oma, and great-Oma, a.k.a. “Mickey Oma,” after a brief but very brave struggle with cancer.
Ursula is survived by her loving husband of 55 years Jake, special companion Mickey (Shih Tzu); children: George (Trudy), Jack (Marlene), Cathy (Paul) Heatlie, Randy (Patti), Angie (Brian) Swift; 11 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; siblings: Ruth Neff, Eck (Maria) Bieberstein, Lottie, (Randy) Quiring, Renate Evans as well as numerous nephews and nieces.
Predeceased by her parents Alfred and Wanda Bieberstein, baby sister Annalise, sister Trudy Messmer and brother Gert.
Mom was a voracious reader with her own library of 800+ books, who was known not only for her book rating system that let everyone know what she thought of anything she had read as well as for catching many editing and spelling errors.
She instilled the joy of playing games such as Yahtzee, Scrabble, Super Quiz, or cards in her children teaching us that the fun was in playing the game not winning or losing.
Another passion for Mom in her later years was knitting sweaters for her great grandchildren or anyone else who was lucky enough to get one and she was thrilled to hear about her great-grandson Gavin sticking out his chest and telling his classmates “My Oma made this sweater for me.”
About 12 years ago we convinced Mom to get a computer so that it would be easier to keep in touch with her. Little did we know we were creating an internet techie as she taught herself the ins and outs of cyberspace.
Early in their retirement Mom and Dad enjoyed the freedom of wintering in Arizona while spending summers in the Hope area living year-round in their 5th wheel travel trailer for about three years after which they settled into a mobile home in Sardis.
More recently Mom enjoyed cruising to the Caribbean, Alaska and Mexico as well as numerous gambling trips to Reno and the Bellingham area with daughter Cathy.
Mom seemed to have an impact on everyone she met through her positive attitude and open-minded outlook on life. She was also known for her love of animals, flowers (but not gardening!), and the joy she took in the accomplishments of her family. We will all miss the love and comfort she provided at all times as well as her wicked sense of humour.
We would like to thank Dr. Lori Laughlin, Dr. Susan McDonald, the nurses in the ICU as well as those on the third floor of the Chilliwack General Hospital for their special care and concerns for Mom.
In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate donations to the Canadian Cancer Society in Mom’s name at www.cancer.ca
At Mom’s request there will be a private family gathering.
“So many books, so little time.”
Online condolences can be left at www.mem.com