Stories and Condolences for the late Ellen Bollman
If you would like to send a private (or public) message to Ellen's family, please fill the form below and click send.
Feel free to share any memories and stories you like. There is plenty of room so don't worry about running out of space.
We'll make sure the family is given a printed copy of the message you send. All messages are read by our staff before publishing. If you would like your message to remain private, please indicate as such.

ELLEN NORA BOLLMAN
October 19, 1921 – August 2, 2015
(née Greening)
At the age of 93 Ellen passed away at Calvary Place Personal Care Home on August 2, 2015.
Ellen was predeceased by her husband Leonard and brothers, Edward, Gus and Henry. She is survived by her brother Raymond; sister-in-law Georgina; sons Kenneth (Rose), Ronald (Bernadette), Brian (Janet) and Wayne (Sharie) and grandchildren Kevin (Michelle), Corey (Shandra), Kristen (Paul), Karine, Stephanie, Rachel (Gary ), Scott (Marnie) and Michael (Amy). She is also survived by 15 great-grandchildren and many cherished nieces and nephews.
Ellen was born in Beausejour, Manitoba and grew up on a farm in Lampman, Saskatchewan. After marrying Leonard in Winnipeg, Manitoba on February 10, 1945, Ellen and Leonard moved to Oshawa, Ontario, where three of their four sons were born. In 1952, the family moved to the Crescentwood area of Winnipeg. The fourth son was born shortly thereafter. For the next 62 years, Ellen lived in the same Warsaw Avenue home that became her pride and joy. She worked tirelessly to keep everything in perfect order. The gardens were tended with loving care. Raspberry bushes were grown and became a favourite spot for grandchildren to stop and sample the abundant berries.
In many respects Ellen was a perfectionist. Whether she was raising African violets, firing ceramics in her basement kiln or turning out countless Afghan blankets, everything was done meticulously. Her enduring legacy will be the many fine needlepoint pictures that she spent countless hours crafting in the wee hours of the morning. Never one to sit idle she worked hard during the day at a variety of restaurant and bakery jobs and at night she turned her attention to her crafts. While ribbons and prizes were often won, she derived the greatest satisfaction in being able to make with her own hands, gifts such as knitted sweaters and crocheted blankets for the next new arrival to the family.
Undoubtedly, Ellen and Leonard were influenced by the difficult times they experienced growing up on the prairies during the 1930’s. They thrived on hard work tackling one project after another. The high expectations that Ellen set for herself and her family members certainly worked out as everyone strived to provide the desired results. However, in later years they did manage to squeeze in some time to enjoy the sun in Clearwater Beach, Florida during winter months and to travel to Germany, France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Saudi Arabia. Every single souvenir and photo that was taken on these trips were saved and catalogued with precision. Ellen and Leonard were lifelong members of Calvary Temple.
Ellen’s family wish to express their heartfelt gratitude to the compassionate and caring staff at Calvary Place who made the final few months of Ellen’s life so comfortable.
A celebration of Ellen’s life will take place 2:00 pm Tuesday, August 4, 2015 at Faith Bible Church, 600 Minto Street. A private family interment will take place in Chapel Lawn Memorial Gardens.
Send Condolences or Share a Story
From: UAW Local 722
Our deepest sympathy and sincerest condolences to the family of Ellen Bollman.
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
From: Anna Greening Beckett
I will always remember spending late evenings with aunt Ellen doing needlework and visiting when I lived with her and uncle Leonard when I first moved to Winnipeg. I am sorry for your loss.
From: Jeanne Wiens
I knew Ellen and Leonard and the boys for many years and a always enjoyed the whole family. We had a lot of laughs together and I am always grateful that I knew the Bollman family.
My sympathy to the whole family.
Love from Jeanne,
From: Gloria Sukhan
I visited Mrs. Bollman in her home a couple of times. I took my Mother with me on 2 occasions. One was when I brought along some foot care products and gave her feet a soak and a massage. Another time I took some of my cross stitch pictures and patterns. We both shared a love of hand work. She even showed me a box of pictures she had finished but hadn't yet framed. She wanted all her kids to have a sample of her work.
Mrs. Bollman had a good life and I will see her in Heaven one day.
From: Gerda Fast (Streuber)
Ellen was a dear friend and neighbor for many years. We shared a love of crafting and gardening and baking.
My love and sincere condolences go out to you, her dear family. She was a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.
She will be missed. Many fond memories.