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.