Laura Paradoski

Laura Paradoski (née Wollwitsch)

November 29, 1927 – October 20, 2025

  With deep sadness, the family of Laura Paradoski announces her peaceful passing on October 20, 2025, surrounded by loved ones.

  Laura was born to Frida and Fritz Wollwitsch and was the first child born in the newly settled German community of Little Britain. She spent her entire life on the family homestead — a place she loved deeply and where she built a beautiful life rooted in faith, hard work, and family.

  She was predeceased by her beloved husband Walter, her parents, her sister Lena, and her foster brother Charles.

  Laura will be lovingly remembered by her children Helene (Glen), Gordon, Louise (Bernie), Frederick (Brenda), and Kenneth (Kim); grandchildren Dane (Karen), Chelsea (Mike), Gordie (Sam), Dillan, Alex (Cait), Cara (Mike), Kristel, Jodi (Chase), Jaymi (Connor), Travis, and Jevin; and great-grandchildren Kennedy, Addison, Decker, Daxsen, Jack, and Camryn. She is also survived by her foster sister-in-law Donna, along with many nieces and nephews.

  Laura’s working life was spent as a legal secretary, primarily with various lawyers in Selkirk. She was a working mom before it came into vogue, balancing career and family with grace and determination.

  A lifelong member of the Little Britain German community, Laura faithfully served her church and neighbors in countless ways — from taking her turn cleaning the church to cooking for Church Fall Suppers. She was once chosen as Queen at Schutzenfest and loved gathering with friends at Kaffee Klatches. Her caring nature extended far beyond her community; over the years, she sponsored seven children from South Africa and India, and supported many local Selkirk charities as well as health and disease-related organizations, offering help wherever she could.

  Laura was deeply family-oriented, taking great pride in her children’s education, faith, and activities. She faced life’s challenges — including childhood polio, cancer, and diabetes — with strength and optimism, and she quit smoking as an example to her children.

  During the many months when Walter was away for work, Laura managed the household and cared for the family with unwavering resolve — a true testament to her resilience and love.

  She also had a great love of travel, visiting Europe, Montreal’s Expo ’67, British Columbia, Las Vegas, Cuba, Mexico, and spending many winters in Texas. Family camping trips, often planned by Laura, remain among her family’s most cherished memories. For her 90th birthday, her wish came true when she celebrated with a family cruise.

  In her later years, Laura found comfort in reading and tending her garden, always ensuring the harvest was plentiful to feed her family. She also loved watching sports on TV, cheering passionately for the Blue Jays and the Jets.

  Above all, Laura loved her family. Everything she and Walter did was for their happiness and well-being. Her legacy of love, faith, and perseverance lives on in all who knew her.

  How truly fortunate we are to have had her for nearly 98 years.

  A private family service has taken place.

  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Little Britain Community Foundation, 44 Ostermann Rd., Lockport, MB, R1A 3L7 or Little Britain Catholic Cemetery Fund, 14 Oakfield Dr., St. Andrews, MB., R1A 2W9.

  Tributes: www.gilbartfuneral home.com

  Gilbart Funeral Home, Selkirk in care of arrangements.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Laura Paradoski, please visit our floral store.