ANNE SUSAN FALK

With heavy hearts, we announce that Anne passed away peacefully at home on July 5, 2021, at the age of 91 years, after being diagnosed with a type of blood cancer two months ago.

She is survived by her loving husband of 72 years Peter, children, Rod Falk (Dianne), Lorraine Merritt (Keith), Steven Falk, Christine Menzies and Bonnie Arcand (Marc), grandchildren, Tara Menzies (Scott Morgan), Paul Merritt (Alison), Cherie Long (Andrew), Randy Merritt (Julie Knockaert), Lela Falk, Annie Blecher (Taddy), Dan Arcand (Amanda Angus), Kyle Arcand (Jordyn Shaw), Ryan Arcand (Rahel Ketema), sisters-in-laws, Susan Norris and Geraldine Falk, great-grandchildren, Miles Falk, Drew Merritt, Caiden Morgan, Phoenix Long, Alex Merritt, Doah Blecher, Holly Blecher, Jessie Arcand, step-grandchildren Derek Morgan (Alex), Leigh Morgan, Hanah Knockaert, Coen Knockaert and Matilda Knockaert, great-great-grandchild, Jackson Morgan, and many nieces, nephews and friends.

She was pre-deceased by her parents Gerhard and Susan Schroeder, brothers Abe (Nettie), Willy (Helen) and sisters Mary Wiens (John) and Edna Wilson, sisters-in-laws and brothers-in-law, Annie Braun (John), Leona Henders (Lloyd), Ed Falk (Ruth), Henry Falk and son-in-law, Brian Menzies.

Mom was born November 29, 1929 in Lowe Farm, Manitoba, on the dining room table in the house known as “The Grand Old Lady of Lowe Farm.  She met the love of her life, Peter, when she was five.  At 14, when Dad kissed her after walking her home, she was so excited she ran into the house and locked the door.  She later said she was so overwhelmed with emotions that it scared her.  They got married on June 25, 1949.   They farmed for a few years and then moved to Winnipeg with their young family when Dad became a bus driver for Winnipeg Transit.  They lived in North Kildonan, McGillivray Park and in 1960 they sold their Volkswagen Beetle for a down payment and bought a brand new house in Windsor Park.

Mom had many jobs over her lifetime.  In addition to being a homemaker, she was a hairdresser, a carhop at A&W, cashier at Loblaws, and worked on the buy-line at Eatons.  When she was 46, she went back to school and took a Business Accountancy course at Red River College.  She then worked for Mr. B’s Power Products, Belnor Electric and Ken Hiebert Electric (her favourite).

Mom retired in 1989 and her and Dad spent the winters for close to 30 years going to Magic Valley Park in Weslaco, Texas, where they had many good times and made many friends.

Mom loved to spend time with family and friends, tell stories, garden, read, play chess with Dad and watch her grandsons play hockey and baseball, where every game she would bring them a lunch kit with a drink and several granola bars to the dugout.

We have wonderful memories of family camping trips, going to Aunt Mary and Uncle John’s cottage at Nutamik Lake and later cabin rentals at Highwind Lake. 

Our sister Lorraine Merritt wrote this wonderful poem for Mom’s 90th Birthday

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Born Anna Susan Schroeder, Nov 29th, 1929.

Last of five kids, and that was just fine.

Sat on her Dad’s knee rolling up his hair,

her sisters were jealous, and that’s not fair.

She bought a red wagon, with her 4H pay,

but she had rheumatic fever, so she could not play.

Had a nice Grandma, and one that was mean.

One thought she was great, one didn’t like her to be seen.

Became a hairdresser, had her own shop.

It was in a garage that belonged to her Pop.

Skated on a rink with her boyfriend Sweet Pete,

they took the train to Winnipeg, so that was pretty neat.

Came back with an engagement band,

holding a poker, her Mom said “should I strike your hand”.

She married that “Falk” boy in 1949,

Grandma came to love him after some time.

Survived the 50 flood, expecting Rod,

then came Lorraine, Steve, Chris, that’s it, thank God.

We were sent to the store with our allowance dime.

Gave Mom and Dad a chance for some “special” time.

Surprise, surprise a new baby to hold on your knee.

Bonnie arrived, tie broken, boys two, girls three.

1960, in Windsor Park we got a brand new home.

My parents sold their Volkswagen for the loan.

We loved that bug, Chris in the shopping bag,

my parents are still in that house, I don’t want to brag.

Cut my hair when I was young, gave me a perm,

I like my hair straight, when will she ever learn.

Rod, Steve and Chris, delivered papers for the Free Press.

I did a lot of babysitting, that was a test.

We all were spanked when we were bad.

Got hugged and kissed every night and we were glad.

Some times in public if we were giving her grief,

all she had to do was show us her teeth.

Five kids to drive her insane,

but now she says she’s glad we came.

Wiped our faces with Kleenex and spit,

when our rooms were messy, she took a fit.

Chris got her shaking with laughter from her head to her toes

by breathing like a monster, with macaroni stuck in her mouth and up her nose.

Shredded my fingers making coleslaw,

dating Catholic boys, now that’s big a faux pas

Mom made all my clothes, some of Dad’s too.

Sewing, cooking, cleaning are good skills, who knew.

She had eagle ears, better than a cop.

Trying to get money out of my bank, from another room, I’d hear “stop”

Twice a week, she baked 10 loaves of bread,

Steve would eat a loaf by himself, or so it’s been said.

Moms a deadeye shot with a gun,

she won each contest, and it was fun.

I love Mom’s soup, chicken noodle, cabbage, summa borcht, or bean,

Keith thinks that summer savoury should never be seen.

Camping was always a lot of fun,

Mom packed everything under the sun.

Pressure cooked chicken and stew were real good,

people from other campsites came to checkout the food.

She worked on the Buy-line, Loblaws and at A&W she was a carhop,

but Belnor, and Ken Heibert Electric were cream of the crop.

Drinking the home made truth serum went down real easy,

I thought it tasted horrible, but maybe that’s just me.

Mom didn’t like front zippers, and she was being sincere,

before every important event, my jeans would disappear.

When Keith came to get me, for our very first date,

I was ready to go, I didn’t want to be late.

The words she said could be heard near and far,

“You didn’t tell me he has a car”.

She used to go to the pool every day to swim a lap,

but oh my goodness, not without her bathing cap.

She’s a lady, hair done, pearls around her neck,

sitting in the sun, playing chess on the deck.

Sometimes Dad thinks he’s letting her win a game,

funny thing is, Mom is doing the same.

Mom is strong, she’s seriously tough.

She’s been through some things that have been pretty rough.

Shattered elbow, breast cancer twice, and an aneurism of the brain,

I’m grateful she survived, my Dad, and my siblings would all say the same.

Married seventy years to Peter, the man of her dreams.

They love each other more, and more each year it seems.

When you’re a Mom, you’re a Mom for life.

You worry about your kids even if they have taken a husband or a wife.

My Mom is my friend, and really great Mother.

If I had my choice, I wouldn’t choose another.

So it’s your birthday, and it’s a really big one

Let’s celebrate, let’s cheer, let’s have some fun.

Happy Birthday Mom we love you, we love a lot

You are the best Mom we ever could’ve got.

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Mom’s wonderful sense of humour and positivity about life will remain cherished in all our hearts.

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We would like to thank our honorary sister, Val Steeves and her parents Ken and Lois Hiebert for all their help, love and support during this difficult time.

In Accordance with her wishes, cremation has taken place and no formal service will be held.  A private family celebration of life will take place at a later date. In the meantime, Anne’s family kindly requests that her friends and relatives take a few minutes to honour her memory by watching the photo-biography above. Please, also consider sharing your own photos, memories, and stories by making use of the comment section on this page.

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If friends so desire, donations may be made to Friends Housing Inc., CancerCare Manitoba, or a charity of your choice.

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ETHICAL DEATH CARE

Cremation & Life Celebrations

530 St. Mary Avenue - Winnipeg

204-421-5501 - www.ethicaldeathcare.com

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