Tribute

Our Mom, Elsa Tielmann, went to be with her Lord and Saviour, very suddenly, on January 3, 2021.  As family and friends, we mourn the loss of our Mom/Oma/Friend, but we rejoice in the knowledge that she is reunited with Dad.  Together they are celebrating with the Lord.  Mom lived her life with a love for Jesus and lived out her faith with the knowledge that Heaven would be her reward.

Mom was born on November 4, 1939 in Neu-Halbstadt, Colony Sagradovka.  When she was four years old, she, her parents and 2 siblings fled their home during the German Army’s attack on Russia.  During this time, they were captured by the Russian Army and were sent to Alatai Siberia, an exile camp.   Although their time in the camp was difficult, she still said she had many fond memories.  Her favourite was singing German Hymns with her Mother and Father.  After they were released from the camp in 1956, they moved to Neveynsk, in the Ural Mountains.

In 1957 Mom met Dad while she was visiting family in another village. After writing letters for a short while, they became engaged in 1958.  They were later married on January 1, 1959.  They settled in Zem Sawd, Nevejansk, Russia.  Here they grew their family with twin boys.  In 1962 they moved to Kyrgyzstan, Frunze.  Here is where they grew their family again to include 7 more children.  Sadly, one brother became very ill at the age of 7 months and did not survive.

In April 1974, with help from Uncle Jake, Dad’s brother, our family was able to immigrate to Canada.  Where they settled in Abbotsford, BC.  Here they welcomed 4 more children.

Mom and Dad raised their family in Abbotsford and settled into life in Canada.  Got involved with their Church, King Road MB and made many friends along the way.

Even though we had a full house of kids Mom always had room for more.  It wasn’t uncommon to have their own 12 kids and another 12 from the neighbourhood.  Her home and table were always open to anyone who came in the door.  Mom greeted everyone with a smile, a hug and something to eat.  She was an amazing self-taught seamstress.  She would sew dresses for us girls with just a picture from a magazine.  She loved singing and poetry.  Mom had an incredible ability to recite lengthy poems from memory.

She is survived by her 12 children, 33 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren: Vic (Denise – Jordan, Kayla(Thomas), Brayden), Walera (Patti – Shaylene, Colten), Henry (Leanne – Ryan(Lenette), Alexa(Spencer), Jake (Lesa), Helen (Eldon – Jared, Rachael(Uuri), Walter (Jacob), Irene (Chris – Courtney (Tyler – Harrison), Riley), Eddie (Belle – Finnley, Felix, Stella), Agnes (Elmer – Caleb, Dakota), Linda (Will – Taylor (Mathias), Noah, Levi, Silas, Jethro), Anita (Dean – Ariah, Keon), Danny (Sherri – Tristyn, Jayda, Bryson, Brielle).  Also, her adopted family the Beutelspacher, Vic, Irene – Mike (Kiyoko – Katelynn, Dominic, Nikolas), Jenni (Brayden, Christopher), Denise (Liam).

She also had a very dear friend Lauren McCloud.  Mom loved spending her days with Lauren on all their many adventures and numerous Tim Hortons visits.

We will miss you Mom/Oma, but we rejoice with you that you are in Heaven and we will see you again.