Tina Nickel (nee Giesbrecht)
1930 - 2013
Tina Nickel, age 82 years, beloved wife of the late John Nickel, passed away in the early hours of Wednesday January 16th at Salem Home with loved ones by her side. Tina was born to Martin M and Nettie (Harder) Giesbrecht on May 20, 1930 at Blumenhof, close to Gretna. She grew up in the Altbergthal area. She was baptized upon her confession of faith in 1946 by Bishop Wilhelm Falk in the Eigenhof Rudnerweide Church. On September 19, 1948 Tina married John Nickel. They lived and farmed in the Gnadenthal area for the next thirty-five years where they raised their seven children.
They were active members of the Bergfeld (EMM) Church for more than 30 years, after which they transferred to the Winkler EMMC. Our Mom was a hard worker. She did the chores, kept a large vegetable and flower garden. As the children grew up and left home, the vegetable garden became smaller and the flower garden larger. Mom did a lot of canning, sewed clothes for the girls and took the children to their activities such as music lessons, youth, and sports events. Mom was involved in Community Sewing Circles and taught Sunday school. She was also very supportive of our father in his many community and church involvements and looked after things at home when he went to the meetings. Mom enjoyed numerous travels with Dad in her life time. In the 60’s they drove out to B.C. and also to the Black Hills. They celebrated their 25th anniversary with a trip to Florida. They travelled to Hawaii twice and this was her favourite vacation place. They visited Nigeria when Verna was working there with CUSO. They visited the Holy Land, the East Coast of Canada, and Alaska.
After retirement Mom found time to volunteer at Salem Home; first as a Bingo Caller and later reading to residents. Mom found her time as a volunteer at Salem very important and meaningful. Later she began her long and enjoyable time as a dedicated volunteer at the MCC Thrift Store. She loved people and welcomed many people into her home and her life. After she was widowed she loved going to musical events and would arrange for friends to go with her and she would do the driving. She was the social convener for her friends. In August of 2003 Mom suffered a massive stroke. After 6 months in the hospital she went to live in Salem Home in February, 2004. Although she was very frustrated with her limitations and lack of independence, she was cheerful and pleasant, and continued to seek interaction with people and enjoyed visiting with fellow residents, their families and the staff at Salem. She enjoyed the programs that were presented and took part in most of the activities offered. The family would like to extend a sincere thank you to the caring and compassionate staff at Salem Home, who lovingly cared for our Mom for the past 9 years.
She was predeceased by her husband John in 1996, her daughter Doreen Potter in 2009, brothers Peter H Giesbrecht, Cornie H Giesbrecht, Dennis Giesbrecht, Steven Schellenberg, sisters and brothers in-law: Jake & Helen Nickel, Cornie &Annie Nickel, Anna Nickel, Ben Nickel, and Peter Kehler.
She is survived by four daughters, two sons, one son-in-law and their families: Alvina and Sam Koshy, Shameem (Kumar Belgaumkar) Divya, Sunjay; Manferd and Janet Nickel, Dayna (Michael Robinson) Evan, Emily; Christina (Kevin Wall), Katelyn, Breana; Verna and Bill Penner, Kathleen, Greg, Karla; Bill Potter, Tessa (Jason Laramee) Nigel, Manny, Bernadette; Alicia (Steven Olson) Nora, Evelyn; Judy Penner, Dion (Melissa Checkley) Harley, Sharlene Penner (Derek Chimilar) Quintin; Delores and Gerald Krahn, Victoria, Garrett; Marvin and Myrna Nickel, Shannon (Craig Reimer) Dustin (Amanda) Danielle, Brittany. She is survived by her siblings: Dorothy and Dave Wiebe, Henry and Tina Giesbrecht, Esther and Abe Doell, Allen and Betty Schellenberg, Marianne and Ken Bensen, Henry and Anne Schellenberg, and sisters-in-law: Helen Giesbrecht, Dora Giesbrecht, Vivian Giesbrecht, Eva Schellenberg, Nettie Kehler, and Tina Falk (Nickel) and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, January 21, 2013 at the Winkler EMM Church with Pastor Wilbert Friesen officiating. Interment followed in the Winkler Cemetery. Pallbearers were grandchildren: Dustin Nickel, Victoria Krahn, Dion Penner, Steven Olson, Greg Penner, Michael Robinson, and Kumar Belgaumkar. The family would like to extend a sincere thank you to the caring and compassionate staff at Salem Home, who lovingly cared for Tina for the past 9 years. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Tina’s memory to the Salem Foundation Inc. 165 – 15th St., Winkler, MB, R6W 1Y3. “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved his appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:7, 8.
Wiebe Funeral Home, Winkler
In care of arrangements,
wiebefuneralhomes.com