Obituary of THERESA MARIE DESEQUIN/ERSTELLE

Theresa Marie DeSequin-Erstelle

May 27, 1937 – March 01, 2018

Surrounded by her family Theresa passed away peacefully

on March 01, 2018 at the age of 80

Our loving Mother, Grandmother, MeMere, Great Grandmother, Great Great Grandmother, Aunt, Sister, & Friend, was called away by our Lord, to a new life with Family & Friends, who have gone before her.

Born in the municipality of Ellice MB. living in Alberta, Saskatchewan, & returning to Winnipeg to raise her children.

Theresa will be greatly missed by younger Brother’s Roy {Mary} Wright, & Paul Lavallee,

Predeceased by her parents Louie & Madeleine Lavallee, Step Father Douglas Lavallee, Life partner Robert Perry & Son Lenny Jr. Erstelle.

Theresa had 8 children Michael {Ruth} Erstelle, Robert {Shirley} Erstelle, Derek {Linda Newton} Erstelle, Angela {Gary} Waugh, Kenny {Yvonne} Erstelle, Allan Erstelle, & Barbara Erstelle. Grand Children, Kameo {Cecil} Eger, Ryan Erstelle, Chris {Crystal} Dokken, Jimmy {Tara} Dokken, Bunty Dokken, Kenny Jr. {Jill} Erstelle, Amanda {Raul} Montesinos , Jessie{Rebecca} Erstelle, Justin Erstelle, Christine Funk, Derek {Chrissy} Funk, Kenny {Lacey} Funk, Michael {Jody} Funk, Michelle Cardinal, Matthew{Kelsey} Cardinal ,

Brianna Nicholas, Great Grand Children, Great Great Grand Child, numerous Nieces, Nephews & many Friends

Mom, was an incredible woman, wife, partner, loving mother to her 8 children, a wonderful caring Grandmother {MeMere} to 16 grandchildren, while being an adoring/affection Great Grandmother to 32 great grandchildren & 1 Great Great Grand Child.

On occasion our Dad, Leonard Erstelle would come home & say we have work. She would pack-up supper, round-up all the kids and we all went to one of Dad’s construction site, where she would shovel Mud & Gravel in/out of basements.

Mom had the three older boys to fill wheel barrels, & proceed to dump them where Dad needed it. She would make schedules & games for the four smaller children, in some weeks we would grade 3 – 5 basements per week. That’s when  we had close family time all together. It helped put food on the table & in our bellies & quality time with our loving parents. It was an extremely difficult time with 7 children & only Dad working. Our grandparents would travel in from St. Laurent, MB & bring us chickens, potatoes, flour, canned fruit & tea, and we would all help mother & little grandmother prepare a big family supper.

Then came the big surprise to everyone, especially Mom, we were expecting another sibling, talk about life changing event. Theresa took it in stride, just another little angel into the world, I think that’s when mom started collecting angels, made out of everything. Her collection grew over the years, as did her children. Theresa’s younger years were extremely busy, at the age of 38 Mom was a proud Grandmother and the grandchildren started to come.  Mom had a gentle demeanor with the Grandchildren, then the Great Grandchildren, and finely a Great Great Grandchild.

After some hard and alone times, Mom met her new friend and partner, Bob Perry of 42 years. During

that time Mom was very fortunate for having such a patient and understanding partner who had taken her family as they were his own. Bob was always there to help Mom with whatever was required. He took good care of her, as well as being an amazing PePere to the grandchildren.

Mom enjoyed Bingo, Cooking, Camping, in her later years tinkering in the many gardens she had. There was always coffee on or instant ready to boil. Conversations with mother were about how close she was to winning the night before in Bingo, or brag about one of her children. She was a gentle soul, who would do anything to help family & friends.

She once worked in a kitchen on Selkirk Ave, that was where she became a star to the neighborhood, cooking soups like “Hangover” and ‘Kill Me Quick” were served with fresh bannock, also homemade meatloaf, mashed potatoes with chopped onions & cubed bologna were daily delights. Sold out every week, then came the rabbit stew & fried bannock. Kids started to grow, so home life was a little more ‘heckle & jackal’ at times. Every one of us grew up with a different reflection & special memory of our mother.     

“A mother holds her children’s hands for a short time but holds their hearts forever”

                                                We love you and will miss you Mom

The family is sincerely grateful to the Doctors & Staff, at Seven Oaks General Hospital 5^th floor unit 4.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Cancer Care Manitoba.

Special Thank you to Rev. Father Isidore Dziadyk, OSBM, for his visits to see Mom, and blessing us with Mom’s final service.