Winnie (Fredborg) Giesbrecht

May 6, 1939 - July 22, 2026

It is with heavy hearts the family of Winnie (McKay) (Fredborg) Giesbrecht announces the passing of our mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

Mom will be lovingly remembered by her family, Henry Giesbrecht (husband), Reg and Peggy Fredborg, grandchildren Aaron Fredborg and Shayla Fredborg Coleman (Liam), Linton and Susie Fredborg, predeceased son Darren Fredborg, Dylan Fredborg (Tracy), Shane and Bek Fredborg, great-grandchildren Halle, Finley, Travis Fredborg (Josie).

Originally from Grand Rapids, Winnie moved to Southern Manitoba as a teenager to go to high school. She moved back to her hometown when she got married and settled down to raise a family. 

Tragically her husband died, leaving her as the sole provider for her three young boys. She relocated to Selkirk to be closer to family, eventually completing her high school diploma. After completing high school, she enrolled at RRC in the LPN program.

Mom always had a desire to work with people in the medical field. Mom went to school during the day and worked in the restaurant in evening to support her family. She was quickly hired by the Selkirk General Hospital. She continued her studies while working to earn her Registered Nurse Diploma.

Having grown up in Northern Manitoba, she knew firsthand how hard it can be for people living in remote communities to access quality health care. In 1972, she graduated from Red River Community College. She made her life’s mission to serve those in need of medical care overcoming many professional and personal challenges along the way.

Mom moved on to St. Boniface Hospital in 1985. She worked with the Aboriginal Council Interpreter Program and as a staffing officer for nurses for Northern Medical stations. She became aware of how difficult it was for patients to communicate with medical staff.

Fluent in Cree she assisted the medical team with the Dialysis Program. She went on to own and operate a medical boarding home and a Dialysis facility in Winnipeg for families who needed a safe clean place to live with their families. 

After mom retired, she went on vacation to Mexico. They became friends with the owner of the resort. The owner asked if they wanted to see something that he wanted to change. They were cruising the countryside, looking at all the fruit and vegetable fields. Then the owner took them to the local garbage dump. Mom’s heart sunk seeing the people living in a landfill.

Mom was asked to join a volunteer group she went on to create a mission group registered the mission in Mexico to help the families at the landfill. The mission raised funds to build a 120-unit 6 story building for the people to live in and provide food and education for over 2500 kids. She spent over 25 years with the mission six months of the year fund raising and working with the families.

Our mom has received numerous awards throughout her life, the last one she received was being honoured by the state of Jalisco in Mexico for the amazing work she did for all those families that needed housing, education, and access to healthcare.

Mom your caring spirit for others and hard work ethic carries on to your family we will miss you and love you.

There will be no funeral service,  there will be a small private gathering with immediate family at a later date.