Obituary of Shirley Klippenstein

Susanna Shirley Klippenstein, age 78, of Steinbach, Manitoba, passed away peacefully on Friday, July 28, 2023.

Shirley is survived by: her daughter Sheila Adele Kehler (Larry), son Gregory Scott, brother Leonard Peters, sister Vi Klippenstein, brother-in-law and sister-in-law Peter and Nettie Klippenstein, sister-in-law Mary Klippenstein, and many nieces and nephews.

She is predeceased by her beloved husband John in 2020, her parents Henry H. and Anna Peters in 1978, siblings Rose, Benno, Norman, Ellen and Evelyn and their spouses.

Shirley was born in Steinbach, MB, the eighth child to Henry H. and Anna D. Peters on November 17, 1944. Shirley completed a grade eight education, and today would have likely been diagnosed with a learning disorder as she had lifelong difficulty with learning and remembering. She developed her own style of learning and successfully held several jobs. Her first job was at Vogt's, a grocery store, and her second job was at Reimer Pharmacy, both of which she talked about with much fondness and gratitude for the two gentlemen who taught her how to complete her expected tasks. Around late 1963, Shirley began being pursued by a young man named John David Klippenstein.

They fell head over heels in love and married on August 14, 1965. They raised two children, Sheila Adele and Gregory Scott. After both kids were in school, mom and dad discussed her returning to work and she started working at Penner Merit where she met lifelong friends Marilyn and Duane Engel and through them Mel and Joyce Mehling and Jim and Vera Lohr. When dad started his own business out of his home, mom began working with dad, becoming an integral part of the business where he eventually taught her to do payroll. She kept the offices clean and did payroll (among many other tasks) until her retirement at age 69.

After John's death, Shirley couldn't manage at home by herself, so Sheila and Greg looked after her until spring 2021 when they were unable to continue due to mom's deteriorating physical condition. She was admitted to Heritage Life Personal Care Home in Niverville where she received excellent care both mentally/emotionally and physically. Our thanks to all the staff who worked so hard to provide her care and always made sure her DVD was playing! Mom was transferred to Rest Haven Care Home in Steinbach, MB, to allow her to be nearer to family and friends and allow them to visit more regularly which made mom so happy.

Deep heartfelt thanks to Susie Harder and Marge Wiebe who provided wonderful companion care to mom as well as to the staff of Rest Haven. You guys truly are awesome, caring, kind caregivers and I saw you give your best whenever you were there.

We have been blessed with amazing family and special thanks for all their support go to Stan and Mary Toews, their children Kim and Brian, Kevin and Brenda, Mike and Christine, Aaron and Janelle, and all the grandchildren: Caitlyn, Kelsey (Mark), Connor, Austin; Luke, Haylee, Logan; Myah, Cohen, Corbin, Serenity, Leo, Chloe; and especially Brooklyn, Paxton, Cheyenne and Trenton who came to see mom every day in her last week and sang and talked to mom, still giving her hugs and kisses to the end. Also to Walter and Irene Toews who kept Sheila, Greg and mom company in her last days.

Viewing will take place Thursday, August 3, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. with devotional to follow at 7:30 p.m. at Birchwood Funeral Chapel, Steinbach, MB.

The funeral will be held on Friday, August 4, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. at Birchwood Funeral Chapel, Steinbach, MB, with interment following the service and lunch served after the interment.

Donations in memory of Shirley may be made to The HavenGroup Foundation, 185 Woodhaven Ave. Steinbach, MB R5G 1K7 or the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba, 120 Donald St, Winnipeg, MB R3C 4G2.