Obituary of Barbara Ball)

Barbara Helen Kletke (nee Ball) After 42 years of battling Diabetes and all its complications Barbara gently left this life for the next December 18, 2008. Barb will be missed by her devoted husband Elwood, daughter Kendra (Brian) Moore, grandson Angus, step-son Stephen (Kathleen), their two children Liam, Ella, and step-son Richard (John Mager). Barb was raised on the farm in Roland MB by her parents Charles (1983) and Helen (2007) Ball who pre-deceased her. She leaves behind two older sisters, Shirley Penny of Stoney Mountain MB with her four sons, and Linda (Norman) Caddoo of Lakeland MB with their four sons. Sister-in-law Colette Kletke of Orleans ON and two sons will also miss her. Barb's Aunt Pat (Bill) Stevenson and Aunt Jean Whitehead have remained close and mourn their niece passing. Barb worked in the secretarial and accounting fields for many years until she chose to end her career in the mid 80's to take care of her family. In 1986 Barb's health began to fail and we were told to start preparing for the worst. Instead she showed her true strength, rallied and carried on to cram a lot more life into the next 20 plus years. She got to fall in love again, add two step-sons, two sons-in-love, a daughter-in-love and three grandchildren to her life. She walked the streets of Paris in springtime, had tea in London, saw the red earth of PEI, took in the tulips of Ottawa and watched sea lions frolic in Vancouver. She danced at her daughter's wedding, laughed long, loud and often with her friends, enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, and knew she was loved and adored by her husband and soul-mate. In 2001 we were given yet another extension on saying our good-byes when she received the gift of a kidney transplant. With that gift she was able to stay with us longer, take care of her mother-in-law (Marie Kletke) and mother at the ends of their lives. Barb was a gifted seamstress and talented quilter and crafter. She loved to spend her precious energy on making beautiful things for those she loved. Barb was a lifelong member of the United Church. In recent years she and Elwood made Atlantic Garden City United their church home. She wasn't always well enough to attend services and gatherings but cherished her friends in the Spirit Dancers and served in the Prayer Shawl Ministry. Barb was never one to seek the center of attention. It was her wishes for us to have a small memorial to celebrate her life. We will honour that request on Sunday, February 15, 2009 at Cropo Funeral Chapel, 1442 Main Street at 2:30 pm. All who knew her are welcome. The family would like to thank the massive team of doctors and nurses at the Health Sciences Center over the years that helped keep Barb going, particularly Dr. Woo, and the entire Transplant team. The nursing and support staff in HOBS4 went above and beyond to help Barb be comfortable and console the family. We appreciate your efforts. In lieu of flowers please feel free to make donations to the Canadian Diabetes Association, or the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Manitoba. I' m Free Don't grieve for me, for now I'm free I'm following the path God laid for me I took His hand when I heard Him call I turned my back and left it all. I could not stay another day To laugh, to love, to work or play, Tasks left undone must stay that way I found that place at the close of day If my parting has left a void Then fill it with remembered joy. A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss, Ah yes, these things, I too will miss, Be not burdened with times of sorrow. I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow. My life's been full, I savoured much. Good friends, good times, a loved one's touch. Perhaps my time seemed all too brief. Don't lengthen it now with undue grief. Lift up your heart and share with me God wanted me now, He set me free. CROPO FUNERAL CHAPEL 586-8044