ERIKA AGNES BARTEAUX
(nee Emmerich)
June 15, 1942 - June 13, 2020
With heavy hearts, the family of Erika announces her peaceful passing on Saturday, June 13, 2020, after a brief illness.
Erika was born in Germany and came to Gimli with her parents, Joseph and Eva Emmerich, in 1954. She took great honour in being appointed the 1960 Gimli Ice Carnival Queen.
She met and married her beloved husband in 1961 and they recently celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary.
Erika is survived by her husband, Millard (Bart), daughter, Beverley Philp (Dave), and sons, Kevin (Brenda), Robert and William. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Brenna, Nicole (Simon), Graham, Melissa and Damon, great-grandchildren Mason and Finn, and dear friends Kathy, Evelyn and Gloria.
Erika worked many jobs in Gimli, most notably Tom Boy Grocery, Johnson Memorial Hospital and their family restaurant "Chester Chicken". She made many lasting friendships with her co-workers and loved to get together for regular lunches with her "Tom Boy Girls".
She was a member of the Gimli Lutheran Church, Gimli Royal Canadian Legion 182, and New Horizons Club. Erika enjoyed cooking, playing cribbage, darts, riding her bike and especially enjoyed her garden and backyard full of flowers.
The light of her life was her family. Erika, also known as Dodo or Amma, loved nothing more than planning and cooking her family dinners. There was always a pot of chicken soup on the stove, an apple pie waiting to be baked, or a freezer full of family-favourites to be pulled out on any occasion. Erika especially enjoyed the time she had with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Nothing made her happier than watching them play in her backyard. And what fun they had.
We have been so blessed to hear all the tributes from loved ones that have described her perfectly. She is remembered as amazing, kind, beautiful, radiating happiness, wonderful, a sweet lady, caring, most-giving, friendly, considerate, devoted to her family and special friends. She will be deeply missed by everyone whose lives she touched.
Erika recently said that "she had a wonderful life with her family and friends". She was fascinated by the pictures in the clouds and we will always think of her as we watch them. We hope she was able to pass through and touch the clouds on her way to Heaven.
A private family ceremony will be held and a Celebration of Life will take place at a later date, when restrictions allow.
We would like to thank the staff at Gimli Johnson Memorial Hospital, Cancer Care Manitoba, and the staff at the MICU - Health Sciences Centre, for their dedicated and kind service to Erika.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to a charity of your choice in Erika's honour.
To Those I Love And Those Who Love Me
When I am gone, release me. Let me go
I have so many things to see and do.
You mustn't tie yourself to me with tears,
Be happy, we had so many years.
I gave you my love and you can only guess
How much you gave to me in happiness.
I thank you for the love you each have shown
But now it's time I traveled alone.
So grieve a while for me if grieve you must
Then let your grief be comforted by trust.
It's only for a while that we must part
So bless those memories in your heart.
I won't be far away for life goes on
So if you need me, call and I will come.
Though you can't see or touch me
I'll be near, and if you listen
With your heart, you'll hear,
All of my love around you soft and clear.
And then, when you must come
this way alone,
I'll greet you with a smile and say
"Welcome Home".
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in memory of Erika Barteaux, please visit our floral store.