Heidemarie Black

Heidemarie Black (nee Betsch)

Heidi passed away September 23, 2017 with her family by her side at the Portage District General Hospital at the age of 75 years.

Heidi was born during WWII on September 16, 1942 in the small village of Angerburg, Germany to Paul and Anna Betsch.

At the age of two, Heidi, her mother and two brothers had to leave their home, as the Russians were invading that part of Germany. They were loaded into German Army trucks and transported to the Baltic Sea, where they were put on boats to Denmark. Once in Denmark, they were sheltered at a refugee camp. They had to wait there for someone from the North of Germany to take them in. Eventually, they ended up living with a farm family until the end of the war. After the war, they were reunited with Heidi’s Dad, who spent the war years in a Russian war camp until he was liberated. From the farm, they moved to Dusseldorf, Germany where Heidi grew up and was educated. After graduation, she worked as a secretary.

As a teenager, during her school years, Heidi and her girlfriends saw all of Europe by hitch hiking or on bicycle, spending their nights in youth hostels. In those years, she was also a very strong swimmer, and she and her Dad tried to conquer the Rhine River in Dusseldorf, but were turned back because of the heavy boat traffic.

In 1967, Heidi and Ken met in Dusseldorf. Ken was in the RCAF at the time… it must have been the uniform that attracted her!  In 1969, Heidi ventured to Canada, and immigrated in 1970. They were married that year.

Heidi was an outdoor person. She loved fishing, boating and camping, she enjoyed her garden and flowers, and had lots of love for the dogs she had over the years.  Heidi also loved to play crib, and did compete with the Legion at Dominion Command, and was also a competitive dart player. She was also a Legion Member for 35 years.

Heidi loved her grandchildren dearly, and they loved their Oma just as much.

Left to mourn Heidi’s passing are her loving husband Ken, their girls Katja Black (Arden Wagner)  and granddaughter Shayna Wagner Black, and Germaine Black (Kris Draper) and grandson Oliver Draper Black and brothers Jurgen (Kristal) and  Rainer Betsch from Germany.

A big thanks to the nursing staff at Portage District General Hospital for doing an excellent job making Heidi comfortable. We would also like to extend a big thank you to the Cancer Care drivers that looked after her for the past four years.

You are invited to join the family for a come and go Celebration of  Heidi’s life on Friday, September 29, 2017 from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. at their home, 685 – 9th St. NW, Portage la Prairie, MB. A private family interment will take place in Evergreen Memorial Gardens.

If friends so desire, donations may be made in Heidi’s memory to Central Plains Cancer Services, 318 Saskatchewan Ave. E., Portage la Prairie, MB R1N 0K8.

A tree will be planted in memory and cared for by McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel.  204-857-4021 www.mckenziesportagefuneralchapel.com