Surrounded by her four daughters on the eve of her 96th birthday, Hilma Maus of Bethesda Place, Steinbach, formerly of Menisino, passed on to her eternal home on March 14, 2008. Hilma, the last of her generation, is survived by her four daughters and their families: Lois and Martin Horvath of Steinbach, Ione and Jim Challis of Winnipeg, Elda Dolynchuk of East Braintree, and Lauretta and Marty Nordstrom of Coaldale, Alberta; 9 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. She will also be lovingly remembered by numerous Swanson and Maus nieces and nephews in the U.S.A. She was predeceased by her beloved husband Peter in 1958, grandson Jarvis Dolynchuk (Jr) in 1979, son-in-law Jarvis Dolynchuk in 1999; her parents and all 8 siblings and their spouses. Hilma was born in Lindsay, Nebraska on March 15, 1912 to August and Anna (Christensen) Swanson. After graduating from high school in 1930, Hilma taught elementary school for 6 years in Nebraska before moving to Winnipeg, Manitoba in 1936 and subsequently to the Menisino area in 1939. She met and married Peter Maus on February 1, 1946, settling on his homestead. She also taught one year of school in Manitoba in 1953-54 at The Hungarian School, in the Woodridge area. Hilma was devoted to her God - a devotion which led her to make Manitoba her permanent home; filled with the determination and love of adventure of a pioneer spirit - killing a porcupine and roasting it to see how it would taste. Her dedication as a mother was proven when, after 12 years of marriage, her husband died while her “four girls” were still very young. She was truly dedicated to this task, wishing to honor both her husband and God through her efforts. She became quite creative in order to make meager finances stretch; striving to ensure the girls were given opportunities for a good education; maintaining life on the farm homestead; involving herself in community activities; enjoying opportunities to visit informally and supportively with neighbours. Throughout her life, she enjoyed arts and craft activities -- painting, pottery, uniquely braided rugs, as well as sewing, quilting and poetry writing. In 1993, Mother reluctantly left the homestead to make her home in Steinbach. The family is sincerely grateful to the staff of Bethesda Place for the loving and compassionate care that our Mother has received for the past 4 years. If so desired, donations, in lieu of flowers, may be made to Bethesda Foundation--Bethesda Place; Box 939, Steinbach, MB R5G 1A3. Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, March 18 at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 465 Henry Street, Steinbach with burial in the Menisino Cemetery at 2:30 p.m. Viewing prior to the service. Chaplain Larry Hirst of Bethesda Place officiating. Pallbearers will be her six grandsons: Frank Horvath, James Challis, Allan Dolynchuk, Christopher, Richard and Jeremy Nordstrom.