MARILYN JOYCE HOLTMANN

In the early morning hours of Friday, November 21st, 2025, Marilyn Joyce Holtmann passed away peacefully at Donwood Care Home having lived 84 years.

Born October 20th, 1941 to her parents Stephanie and Bill Chenier.  Marilyn grew up in Norwood Flats (St. Boniface, Winnipeg) living with her parents and younger brother, John Chenier. (predeceased)

Being 6 years older than her brother, Marilyn took on an active role in helping to raise her brother which resulted in a very close and loving relationship with John.

Marilyn enjoyed baking and was an amazing cook.  She also loved music and enjoyed attending local dances.

After graduating high school, Marilyn attended community college where she studied to be an administrative assistant.  She later put her skills to use working for Mac Trucks.

Marilyn briefly moved to California in the 1960’s but would later return to Canada where she would go on to marry Felix Holtmann of Rosser, Manitoba.

Marilyn and Felix ran a pig farm near Rosser and soon after she gave birth to her two boys, Heston and Stewart Holtmann.

On the farm Marilyn helped with working in the pig barns and cooking for the hired hands.  She also loved playing with their many Golden Retrievers.

Marilyn and Felix later divorced bringing Marilyn back to her roots to live on Deschambault street in St. Boniface with her son’s.  She then took on a career as an administrative assistant with Price Waterhouse where she remained for many years.

Marilyn enjoyed gardening during the summer months and cross-country skiing in the winter.  Summers would also involve taking her sons on adventurous and lengthy road trips to the mountains of British Columbia, as well as road trips to Florida to visit her mother, Stephanie.

Marilyn and her sons later moved to Windsor Park, where they were joined by her mother Stephanie.

After retiring, and her mother passing away, Marilyn would spend the coldest of the winter months with her brother John and his wife Susan at their home in Denver, Colorado.

Marilyn also loved shorter road trips to Fargo and Grand Forks with her friends to take advantage of sales.  Marilyn was very thrifty and could stretch a dollar farther than anyone.

After Marilyn’s sons got married and had kids of their own, Marilyn loved to spend her days babysitting her grandchildren, Nicholas, Madison and Max.

Marilyn made sure to never miss a birthday, or special family event and would host Christmas, Thanksgiving and Easter Dinners for the entire family every year up until suffering a stroke in 2022.

Marilyn lived out the remainder of her life at Donwood Care Home.

Marilyn’s family would like to express our sincere gratitude to the management and staff of Donwood Care Home.

Throughout her life, Marilyn was an avid Dog and Cat lover and would often donate her time to help raise money for the Winnipeg Humane Society.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Marilyn’s memory to the Winnipeg Humane Society at 45 Hurst way, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3T 0R3.