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(née Grosse-Leege)

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our mother, Marianne Schwichtenberg, on July 27, 2009, after a brief illness. Predeceased by her daughter Karin and her husband Guenther, she is survived by three children and five grandchildren.

Marianne was born in Hamm, Germany, on October 15, 1932 and lived on a large mixed farm with her parents and two brothers. She married Guenther on February 2, 1957 and a few months later the newlyweds emigrated to Canada by way of ship from Hamburg to New York. They then drove across the country in their grey Volks­wagen Beetle to visit the Bartel family in Agassiz, where they were struck by the fertility of the land and the beauty of the surroundings.

The next two years were spent in Kitimat and Calgary, where Marianne and Guenther each worked two and three jobs to save money. In 1959 they bought 112 acres in Agassiz, including the Old Agassiz Place. Marianne spent the subsequent years working tirelessly on the farm, raising three children and graciously opening her home to countless relations, friends and other visitors.

In 2003, Marianne and Guenther retired to a new house adjacent to the farm, where they could spend more time with their grandchildren and dachshunds. Guenther passed away in 2005 and she followed this year, peacefully, with her children and grandchildren at her side. Her love, stories, insights and sense of humour will be greatly missed.



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