Obituary of Perpetua Winter

Bella was born on February 12, 1928 in the RM of Souris Valley No. 7. On Friday, April 10, 2020 Bella passed away peacefully in the care of the Santa Maria Senior Citizens Home in Regina, SK at the age of 92. She grew up on a farm during the 1930s and 1940s south of Torquay, SK with six brothers and one sister. Farm life during this period was most certainly difficult and one learned quickly the value of hard work in families large or small; everyone had a job to do. Bella attended grade school in a rural one room schoolhouse, where they would walk to school or hitch up the horses and travel by sleigh during the winter months. She went to boarding school at a Convent in Estevan to complete her high school education. Bella often spoke of this period with mixed emotions, knowing full well she needed to obtain her education, she was also very homesick for her family during this time.

Perpetua married her first husband Martin Winter in June of 1949 at John the Baptist Church in Estevan, SK. Soon after, they moved to Regina where Bella first started work for Western Tractor, then moved to The Scotia Bank where she began her career in the financial industry. Together they had two children, Leonard and Malcolm. Bella went onto work for the Credit Union with her first assignment in Radville, SK as the assistant branch manager in November of 1961. The Winter family stayed in Radville until 1972, then returned to Regina where Bella finished her career working at the Credit Union Central. One of the projects she was involved in and was quite proud of, was the introduction of the automated teller banking machines in the early 1970s.

In November of 1980, Bella married Kenneth Oberkirsch and moved to the farm in the community of Minton, SK. There, she and Ken together raised his four children, Robert, Kathy, Rosemary, and Suzanne. While living in Minton, Bella formed many long and lasting friendships.

Above all, Bella was a woman of faith her entire life. Her dedication to the Roman Catholic Church was present in every community or location she resided in. She was an active member of the Catholic Women’s League (C.W.L.) and lay ministries. Bella attended mass at every opportunity and prayed diligently for everyone she knew. She had a great sense of humor and enjoyed being with family and friends her entire life. 

Perpetua Winter is survived by her loving family, son Malcolm (Carla) Winter, granddaughters Kristin Winter, Melanie (Luc) Mullinder and Jessica Winter, great grandchildren Madison and Luther; her daughter-in-law Marylin Winter; Kenneth Oberkirsch; son Robert (Yvonne) Oberkirsch, grandchildren Tyson and Ray Ann; daughter Kathy Oberkirsch; daughter Rosemary (Mark) Overbye, grandchildren Evan (Zoey) Overbye, great-grandchildren Dash and Bodin, granddaughter Janelle (Drew) Nicholas, great-grandchildren Andie and Everly, grandson Lukas (Lyndsey) Overbye, granddaughter Leah Overbye; daughter Suzanne Oberkirsch; her brother Bill (Jean) Ehrmantraut; and sisters-in-law, Beth Ehrmantraut and Annette Ehrmantraut.

Perpetua was predeceased by her parents Raphael and Katherina Ehrmantraut; five brothers and one sister; her first husband Martin Winter; and eldest son Leonard Winter.

In light of gathering restrictions, a private family prayer service and graveside service will be held. A memorial service for Perpetua will take place at St. Anne’s Roman Catholic Parish at a later determined date. Memorial donations in memory of Perpetua Winter may be made to Santa Maria Senior Citizens Home, Spiritual Care, 4215 Regina Avenue, Regina, SK S4S 0J5.

Malcolm and Carla would like to thank all the staff at the Santa Maria care home for the kindness and care that they provided to their mom during her difficult last years. Relatives and friends may reach out to the Winter family by visiting Bella’s Tribute Page at www.speersfuneralchapel.com and let them know you are thinking of them during this difficult time.