Doris Klippenstein (nee Friesen)

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our mom, Doris Klippenstein (Friesen) at the age of 81 years.  Mom went peacefully in the evening of May 27th with family by her side. Doris leaves to mourn her four children; Darren (Gail), Jamie (Pat) Liss, Dawn (Galen Tibiatowski), and Kevin.  She will also be dearly missed by her 5 grandchildren; Joel, Marc (Kayla), Jordan (Alaura), Taylor (Monika) and Morgen (Shayne) and 3 great-grandchildren; Charlie, Ada and Arthur, as well as many brother and sister in-laws, nieces and nephews and friends. She was predeceased by her parents, John and Anne Friesen, and all of her siblings.

Mom was born at home in Stuartburn, MB on April 11, 1942, the youngest of 9 children. At the age of 15 she left her home in Dominion City to work in Winnipeg. She continued to work outside the home for most of her life. Mom had a sharp mind and a flair for numbers and was appreciated for her diligence and efficiency. She was a doer.  It didn’t matter the type of work she did, from working as a cook, cleaner, or various office jobs, she approached the jobs with the same conscientiousness. She made friends easily, no matter the age. So many people have told us how our mom immediately made them feel welcomed and put them at ease. They loved her sense of humour, sharp wit, and direct approach.

In 1960, mom married our father, Elvin Klippenstein. By the time she was 22, they had 3 children. Many winter seasons dad worked away from home, leaving mom in charge of the household and three little kids. In 1967, our family moved to the farm near Bagot, MB. In 1972, Kevin, our youngest sibling, joined our family. During all the years on the farm, along with raising 4 children and still often having a job outside the home, she somehow managed to plant a large garden; the harvest, which was canned or frozen to last us through the year.

Mom was an excellent cook and baker and made sure we were fed well. Our bagged lunches were often the envy of our classmates and sometimes even our teachers. There was always plenty of good food on the table and when her kids were grown, she made extra to send along in her care packages.  When it got closer to Christmas, Mom would bake goodies for weeks on end.  She would bake container after container of cookies, squares, and brownies - with each cookie and square perfectly shaped. Not only would she make up trays of goodies to give to her neighbours, friends, and relatives, but she made sure to make enough for her kids to give to their friends during the holiday season. Mom would also go on perogy making sprees that would last for weeks - all to be shared.  Many coolers placed on her deck in the winter became her temporary freezers.

After moving to town, Mom was also known for her immaculate flower and vegetable gardens.  It was not unusual for Mom to look out her kitchen window and see her neighbours with their guests touring her back yard.  She enjoyed sharing the bounty of her garden harvest, but it had to be picked, washed, and packaged and ready for the fridge before she would even think about giving it to others.

The family asks, if friends so desire and in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Sprucedale Industries in Austin, MB (Box 225, Austin, MB, R0H 0C0). Our Aunt Esther was part of the Sprucedale Family - and Esther had a very special place in Mom's heart.  Or, in the spirit of our Mom, do something kind for others.