Obituary: Lena Kelm

Lena and Edward Kelm with children, Ernie, Joyce, and Ken, around 1950. Courtesy of Jeff Kelm.

“ADELINE (LENA) KELM (nee DRAILICH) June 30, 1920 – August 5, 2004

With heavy hearts we announce the passing of our cherished mother, Lena, in the early morning of August 5, 2004 at the Grace General Hospital, after a courageous, lengthy battle with the complications of sugar diabetes. She was surrounded by the love and prayers of her children and the spirit of many friends. Her faith in God sustained her as she began her next journey. Lenas memory will be lovingly cherished by her children: Joyce Hamonic, Headingley; Ernie Kelm, Ottawa; Bettiann Kelm (Barry Baker), Calgary; her grandsons: Jeff (Catherine) Kelm, Ottawa; Greg Kelm, Quebec City; and their mother, Yvette Kelm, Regina. She was predeceased by her son Ken (1984) her husband, Edward (1986) and her special “son”-in-law Maurice, just three weeks ago. She was the sixth child of Bertha and Gustave Drailich. Lena was predeceased by her parents and her sisters, Pauline Olga Drailich and Lillian Nealy and her brothers, Alfred, Herbert, Arnold, Ernest, Harry as well as two brothers in infancy. She is survived by sisters-in-law, Hilda and Lyla Kelm, Helen Drylick and Madeline Dreilick; and brother-in-law Dan Kelm. Lena was born in Camper, MB on June 30, 1920. Lena spent her youth in Camper. We were regaled with her spirited tales of homestead life – “poor, but happy times” – the one-room school house, Christmas concerts, chores on the farm, country dances and lively house parties, all intertwined with warm memories of her family and life-long friendships. Lena married Edward Kelm in the Camper Lutheran Church on January 31, 1942. Lena and Ed began their 44 year marriage on a mixed farm near Marquette, MB where their four children were born. In 1958 the family moved to Winnipeg. Here Lena began a 20 year working career with Canada Packers and Manitoba Dairy and Poultry. Lena and Ed built the family home in 1960. Lena resided here until 2003. Our home was the centre of lively gatherings for family and friends. Visitors were always welcome and the coffee pot was always on. Lena was an independent, creative, resourceful woman with a deep inner strength. She sewed, knitted, embroidered, crocheted, gardened, cooked, baked, canned and was handy with a paint brush, saw and hammer. Lena loved to travel and visit family and friends. She enjoyed trips within Canada, to Hawaii, Barbados and Europe. Lena was a member of the First English Lutheran Church. Here she made special, supportive friends with whom she enjoyed many years of socializing. Lena has left us with a legacy of inner strength, perseverance, warmth and love. Her memory and teachings will guide us and will live on in our hearts forever. “She whom we love and lose is no longer where she was before. She is now wherever we are.” St. John Chrysostom Funeral Liturgy and interment will be held on Monday, August 9 at 3:00 p.m. at Chapel Lawn Funeral Home, 4000 Portage Ave. with Pastor W. Lehman officiating.”

From: “ADELINE (LENA) KELM (DRAILICH).” Winnipeg Free Press, 08 Aug 2004. Retrieved 20 Sep 2020, https://passages.winnipegfreepress.com/passage-details/id-87898/Kelm_Adeline

Obituary: Lyla Kelm

Lyla Kelm with my dad, John Kelm, in 1942 or 1943

“KELM, Lyla Ruth 1921 – 2019 Passed away peacefully and went to be with her Lord on Tuesday, June 18, 2019, in her 99th year. Predeceased by her beloved husband Robert and her son Wally. Cherished mother of four daughters Ruth (Frank), Lois (Sam), Phyllis (John), Jean (Tony) and four sons John (Lynn), George (Debbie), Jim and Steve. Loving grandmother of 14 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. Fondly remembered by her nieces and nephews. Lyla was an active member of Central Community Church. The family will receive friends at Central Community Church, 240 Scott Street, St. Catharines on Monday, June 24th from 11:00 a.m. A Celebration of Lyla’s life will follow at 12:00 p.m. Interment Victoria Lawn Cemetery. If so desired, donations made in Lyla’s memory to Community Care would be appreciated by her family. Heartfelt thanks to the doctors, nurses and staff at NHS, St. Catharines site for their compassion and care.”

From: “Lyla KELM Obituary.” Legacy.com, 18 Jun 2019. Retrieved 11 Jan 2020, https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/stcatharinesstandard/obituary.aspx?n=lyla-ruth-kelm&pid=194940479&fhid=11146

Obituary: Julius and Martha Kelm

The following newspaper clippings contain obituaries for my great-grandparents, Julius and Martha Kelm, and are from the Winnipeg Evening Tribune and digitized for the University of Manitoba Digital Collections.

From: “KELM.” Winnipeg Evening Tribune, 28 Feb 1959. Retrieved 18 Apr 2019 from University of Manitoba Digital Collections, http://hdl.handle.net/10719/1934469.

From: “MARTHA KELM.” Winnipeg Evening Tribune, 21 Jul 1965. Retrieved 18 Apr 2019 from University of Manitoba Digital Collections, http://hdl.handle.net/10719/2042634/.

From: “MARTHA KELM.” Winnipeg Evening Tribune, 22 Jul 1965. Retrieved 18 Apr 2019 from University of Manitoba Digital Collections, http://hdl.handle.net/10719/2042964/.

Obituary: Jennie Kelm

Jennie Kelm was born Eugenja Heft in Lublin, Poland, in 1902. She was married to Daniel Kelm, son of Julius Kelm and Martha Kirsch. I found the OCRed text of her obituary in the Winnipeg Free Press, dated March 24, 1995. The following is an excerpt. I made screenshots of the newspaper PDF from NewspaperArchive if you would like to request the full text and the PDF is unavailable at the link.

“Jennie Kelm, aged 72 years, passed away at the Seven Oaks Hospital on March 21, 1995.

She is survived by her husband of 54 years, Daniel: two daughters, Sandra (Bruce) Mellon, Eleanor (Ted) Laidlaw; her son Daniel W. (Diana) Kelm; eight grandchildren, Rachel, Ester, Aaron, Clinton, Rebecca, David, James and Elaine; one great-granddaughter Clarissa […]

Jennie was confirmed in Zion Lutheran Church where she had been a lifelong member. For 20 years, Jennie was employed in the luggage department at The Bay. Jennie was a very devoted wife and mother whose pride and joy were her children and grandchildren. She loved to prepare meals and go berry picking…”

From: “JENNIE KELM.” Winnipeg Free Press, 24 Mar 1995. Retrieved 17 Apr 2019 from NewspaperArchive, https://newspaperarchive.com/winnipeg-free-press-mar-24-1995-p-35/.