Brigitte Boettcher (nee Czayka)

It is with great sorrow that the family of Brigitte Boettcher announce her sudden passing on Wednesday, April 15, 2026 at the age of 88.

Brigitte will always be lovingly remembered by her husband of 69 years Winfried; daughter Patricia (Rob); sons Gregory and Christopher (Sabrina); grandchildren Michael (Lauren), Hayley (Jason), Charlotte and Ava; great-grandchildren Colin, Sebastien and Penelope; brother Peter and numerous other family members and friends.

Brigitte was predeceased by her parents Bernhard and Anita and her infant daughter Barbara.

Brigitte was born in Berlin, Germany and immigrated to Winnipeg with her family. Here she met Winfried (Fred) and they married in 1956. While her lifelong profession was as a hairdresser, her true vocations were a loving wife and a devoted mother.  Brigitte and Fred arrived in Canada from a war-torn Berlin with hopes of being able to live and build their lives in peace and to own their own home.  Even at their advanced years, they still lived happily in the ancestral residence in East Kildonan, also beloved by neighbours over the years.

Always active, she served on the Board of Directors of Villa Heidelberg for many years. She enjoyed bowling, gardening and travel; she loved winter get-aways to Mexico with Winfried and their friends for many years. Fifty of her summers were spent at Camp Neustadt, Manitoba, with long happy days at the beach, visiting with friends and watching over her children and later grandchildren, as they played in the sand and waters of Lake Winnipeg.

Brigitte was a wonderful cook and baker and loved hosting gatherings large and small. Dinner tables were always groaning with traditional German fare for birthdays and holidays; savoured and appreciated by family and friends.  In particular, family dinners with her bustling at the head of the table, will be missed, where we laughed and made unforgettable memories. She made sure you never left without a hug and goodie bag. She was the glue to our family, ensuring that family focused cultural traditions endured over the years.

Oma will be greatly missed by all who knew her for her kindness, thoughtfulness, selflessness, caring and generosity.  She led by example to love, love hard,  forgive easily, and show up.  Brigitte quietly made an impact on all the lives she touched, whether as a supporter of the German-Canadian diaspora, supporting her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren’s activities and interests, or acting as friend and sounding-board while doing hair.  Brigitte was adventurous and demonstrated a joie de vivre, where she would be willing to try most everything for a fuller richer life, whether in cross North America road trips; air travel abroad; local festivals; arts and culture both local and remote; a friendly card game; a picnic in the park; sushi and Dim Sum; or tent camping in all manner of Manitoba weather with kids; including an infant, in tow.  She was a nature lover and was often the recipient of neighbourhood wounded wildlife, nursing baby robins and wounded garter snakes back to health for release.  While allergies surfaced to their beloved boxer, Duchess, a wide range of pets in the house included: mice, rats, snakes, guinea pigs, fish, salamanders, frogs, toads and iguanas. 

We are forever grateful to be able to have known her, love her, and call her Oma, Brigitchen, and Mom.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Manitoba or the St. Boniface Hospital Foundation.

A Celebration of Life will be held at her home at 66 Tudor Crescent, Winnipeg, Manitoba on Saturday, May 23, 2026 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 pm.