Laura Gertrude Corneillie

December 26, 1925 to May 27, 2010

Laura was predeceased by both her parents, her brothers, Bert Goetz and Edward Goetz and sister Shirley Domanski, and her husband of 62 years and the love of her life, Gaston in 2009. Laura is survived by her children, Wilbert (June), Murray (Janet) and Judy (Sandy), her five grandchildren, Andrew (Elaine), Kimberley (Brian), Kevin, Shaun (Shaylene) and Jolynn (Chad) and seven great-grandchildren, Jonus, Maya, Avery, Ethan, Cailyn, Claire, and McKenna, her two sisters Georgina Siriant and Myrtle Chartrand.

Laura was born in Runnymede Saskatchewan and then moved with her parents to the north end of Winnipeg where her siblings were born. The family then moved to Rosewood and then Lydiatt, Mb. Following the death of her mother in 1942, Laura was given the responsibility of raising her 5 younger siblings at age 16. This became one of Laura’s lifelong virtues, caring and nurturing for others. Shortly after she was hired to help the Corneillie’s in Ile de Chenes and she met the young Gaston. Laura moved into Winnipeg and began working at Canada West Shoe. Mom’s love of dancing drew her to the Roseland Dance Gardens, where she met Gaston again and won his love and his heart. They were married in 1947, started farming in Dufresne, Mb, and raising a family. They moved to Iles de Chenes and then Pansy, Mb. where Mom nurtured her young children, sharing her Christian faith with them, which was always a large part of her life. The farm failed and Laura and Gaston moved to St Vital Mb. to raise their children and build new lives. Laura went back to work trying different jobs. and then started with Canada Safeway. She retired in 1975. In 1976, they moved out to Monominto Mb where she and Dad built a new home and pursued their passion for gardening. Mom could grow vegetables and flowers in abundance. Throughout her life she was active in her church and maintained her strong faith in Christ her Savior. Family and friends were always most important, and Laura kept in touch by telephone, letters and personal visits as was evident by her address book and Christmas list. Laura was a rural correspondent for the Carillon News for more than 20 years, sharing her wit and what was happening in the neighborhood until just recently. Laura maintained constant touch with her grandchildren and enjoyed having them all at the farm together when possible. She nurtured them as her own and was ever so proud when each successfully completed and graduated from University. She followed their careers and their lives visiting them where they moved, offering encouragement and support and then the joy of being blessed with great grandchildren. She was a large part of their lives spoiling them with toys and hand knit sweaters and dresses, with hand made by Grandma labels attached, for each of them to cherish. Laura’s love of knitting stood her well and her fingers were very busy. After Gaston’s death she completed all but her last project. Laura loved playing cards and especially Bien at the Belgian club on Wednesday evenings.

This past February Laura’s life changed in an instant. After playing Bien, she was taken to the St. Boniface Hospital where emergency heart surgery was performed. On Sunday, May 27, 2010, while recovering at Bethesda Hospital in Steinbach, her heart failed again and she went to her Lord’s care to rejoin the love of her life forever. The family wish to thank all the staff at St Boniface Hospital Heart Unit for their dedicated care, and then Bethesda Hospital who cared for Laura these last two months.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Ostenfeld Lutheran Church or the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

A celebration of Laura’s life will be held this Saturday June 5, 2010 at 11:00 AM at the Ostenfeld Lutheran Church, 54057 PR 302, Ostenfeld Mb. with interment to follow.

Condolences for the family may be offered at www.SoberingFuneralChapel.com.

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