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Obituary:
- Died peacefully on June 12, 2023 at The Village of Winston Park at the age of 96 to the reading of the 23rd Psalm. Beloved wife of the late Bruce Wilke (2016). Cherished mother of Janet Wilke-Shantz (deceased 2001) and Susan Wilke. Loving Nana to her grandchildren Julie Wagler (Marcus), David Shantz (Melanie), Krystin Mück-Samra (Lovepreet) and Graeme Mück (deceased 2016). Dear Nana to her great-grandchildren Caleb Wagler, Kailey and Lucas Shantz. Grace was a special Aunt to Anne Curtis, Eleanor Meyers and David (Debbie) Meyers and also had a special relationship with Larry and Marcia Shantz, Christina and Allistair D'Costa. She is deeply missed by her golden retriever Gracie. Predeceased by her parents Anne and Rufus Meisel and her sisters Ruth (Meyers) and Doris (Shadbolt). Grace grew up in Preston Ontario in a warm and loving home, graduated from KCI Secondary School and began working at Dominion Tire (Uniroyal) in the office where she met her 'Brucie' who called her 'Gracie'. They married on July 29, 1950 and raised two daughters in their cozy bungalow on Rosemount Drive. Grace was a wise, insightful mother, known for her quiet but welcoming hospitality and her kind heart. She and Bruce maintained a big garden and Grace was a gifted cook, renowned for her homemade strawberry jam and various preserves from their cherry and plum trees; as well as her delicious cakes, pies and Christmas cookies. She was very conscious of organic cooking and nutrition long before it was popular. She and Bruce were active members of Olivet United church (membership transferred to St. James'-Rosemount United Church) where Grace served in the nursery, baked squares and made sandwiches for events while Bruce ushered and served on the maintenance and finance committees. After ensuring that her family was independent enough for her to return to the workforce, Grace secured a job at Arrow Shirts (Cluett, Peabody & Company) in the salesroom where she worked for 18 years, retiring at the age of 63. She volunteered for many years at the Clothing Centre in downtown Kitchener. Grace enjoyed her walks, and especially enjoyed the Sunday hikes and picnics at her sister Ruth's family pasture farm. She doted over her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and her fur babies. She and Bruce had Siberian huskies and a golden lab over the years that accompanied them everywhere. She rescued a robin that became a family pet for four years. She loved family time spent at Golden Lake during the summer and she and Bruce travelled from East to West across Canada and down to the States in their trailer. They eventually owned a summer trailer at Fisherman's Cove that was shared and enjoyed by family members for many years. The love of reading 'quality literature' was instilled in her children along with regular trips to the library and bookmobile. She was a whiz at crossword puzzles, word searches and enjoyed a good game of scrabble. She played the piano and loved to harmonize with her daughters in the kitchen while doing dishes. Grace was considerate, kind and thoughtful; living up to her name. We were blessed to have her in our lives. As per Grace's wishes, cremation has taken place and a celebration of life will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 9, 2023 at the Henry Walser Funeral Home, 507 Frederick Street, Kitchener, 519-749-8467. Reception to follow. As expressions of sympathy, donations to St. James'-Rosemount United Church or to the Kitchener-Waterloo Humane Society would be appreciated by the family (cards available at the funeral home).
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