IRENE DORA SCHINKEL
Peacefully in her sleep, on May 7, 2026, Irene Schinkel, beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, passed away at the Victoria Hospital. Irene will be cherished and lovingly remembered by her children: Dale of Edmonton, AB; Howard (Janet) of Cochrane, AB; Pat Klann of Winnipeg; and Tracey Cole (Dwayne) of Winnipeg. She will be sadly missed by her grandchildren: Melanie Watson of Winnipeg; Kyle Klann of Winnipeg; Amber Bobby (Brendan) of Cobble Hill, BC; Evan Schinkel of Calgary, AB; Rowan Cole of Winnipeg; Logan Cole of Winnipeg; and will be fondly recalled by her great-grandchildren: Owen & Wyatt Watson; Cassy, Dylan & Kayden Klann; Brooks, Walsh & Hanna Bobby. She was predeceased by her husband Jack, parents Gottlieb & Eva Borkowsky, siblings Gottlieb, Lydia, Minnie, Molly, Christine, Hedwig, John, Henry, Manuel, Alfred, Joyce. She is survived by her sister Esther and brother Herbie.
Mom was born near Steinbach, MB on July 28, 1928. In 1942 her family relocated to Brokenhead, MB, where she helped with the housework and chores on the family farm. When she was sixteen, she moved into Winnipeg and began working at the St. Boniface Hospital in the Dietary Department. During this time, many fond memories were made going out with her sisters and friends to movies, City Park (Assiniboine), and local dance halls.
In May 1950, Mom and Dad were married (almost delayed because of rain and muddy roads) and began farming near Dencross, MB. Dad worked up north for several of the winter months and Mom looked after the children and the farm chores. In 1959 they moved into Winnipeg and in 1961 into the “house that Jack built” on Woodbine Avenue in Old Kildonan. In 1975 she began work at Middlechurch Home, again in the Dietary Department, until her retirement in 1992. Many happy, funny memories were made with her co-workers, including showing up for the early shift one morning in the fancy gown she had worn to an event the night before.
Irene was an avid gardener and loved to putter around her plants and flowers. She had two large vegetable gardens that were her pride and joy, and resulted in many jars of canned relishes, jams and pickles to feed her family. She loved to knit and made countless sweaters, socks, mittens, and scarves. She also crocheted many blankets and throws and was still knitting blankets for charities at a ripe old age. Mom loved playing Bingo and also had many enjoyable trips to Las Vegas with Dad over the years. She loved drives out into the countryside to see the crops and to check on our old family farm site, which then ended with a stop for hotdogs in Lockport. Mom also loved books and reading and enjoyed volunteering in her building’s library (thus fulfilling her girlhood dream of becoming a librarian). Family was very important to Mom and she loved to host dinners and get-togethers on holidays and birthdays, or simply having company over for card games. There was always laughter and joy at her kitchen table, which was the heart of the home. She always had a warm smile and a twinkle in her blue eyes.
The family wishes to thank the nurses, aides and doctors of 4 Floor South at Victoria Hospital for their kind care during Mom’s last days. In keeping with her wishes, a private family interment will occur following cremation. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Mom’s memory to the charity of your choice.
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 16, 2026