Obituary of Lina (Lena) KLEIN

KLEIN - LINA (LENA) KLEIN (nee Saar) age 83 years. Our loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother passed away on Sunday, March 11, 2007. Lina has now been reunited with her husband Alexander who predeceased her in 1974. She was born in Karlsruhe, a German settlement in the Ukraine. In 1949 after living in Germany for four years, she and Alex and their then two children immigrated to Canada, Regina. Lina had four children, William (Donelda), Anni, John (Janet), Peter; five grandchildren, Tracey, Kristie, Julie, Jacqueline (Jotham), Evan; one great-granddaughter Sydney (Jotham and Jacqueline). She was predeceased by her mother Elinora (nee Leippi) and father Heinrich Saar; two sisters, Frieda, Elsa; two half-sisters Melita, Adela; one half-brother David. Her younger sister Lyda survives her and lives in Germany. Lina was separated from her siblings over 60 years ago and was never able to reunite with them. Lina loved and was proud of her family. She was keenly interested in the welfare of each member. She stressed the value of hard work and getting an education. She was a wonderful cook and always welcomed family and visitors with an offer of something to eat. She loved the natural world. She was proud of her garden. She grew flowers outside and house plants inside. She was artistic. She loved doing needlework. She looked forward to the marathon garage sales that the family put on each summer. Lina loved walking and rather than accepting a ride, she walked miles each day - to the store for groceries or downtown and back. She befriended strangers along the way. Lina was a strong resourceful woman. She strived for perfection in everything she did and nothing was too much for her to do. She could build, repair or paint anything that was needed. Many times she painted the house outside and the rooms inside. Then at age 70 she designed a new house and had it built. She felt at peace when she was at home, in her house. Lina worked for many years at the Drake Hotel as a short order cook and at the Regina Inn in the banquet area before she retired at age 65. She enjoyed her work, being with people, and always said she had retired too soon. Thank you to all those at the Pasqua Hospital who were so kind and provided such good care for Lina and her family. You were always there for us. We thought our mother would just wear out one day, but instead she lost a very determined struggle against cancer. Lina was a free spirit. She has slipped from the ties of the Earth and is now im Himmel. We miss you Mom. To each is given a list of rules; A shapeless mass; a bag of tools. And each must fashion, ere life is flown, A stumbling block or a stepping stone. There will be a private family service and interment at Riverside Memorial Park with Chaplain Cliff Geiger officiating. An online book of condolences may be signed at www.speersfuneralchapel.com