Rose (Reichert) Kilbrai

On Friday, December 22, 2017, Rose Kilbrai (née Reichert) passed peacefully to her heavenly home with family by her side. Rose was born on September 23, 1913 in Michalovka, Volyn, Poland to Bedřich (Fred) and Anna (née Tuček) Reichert.  She moved with her family to Alžbětin Dvor, Slovakia in December 1925 and then immigrated to Canada, settling on a farm in the Floradale district of Minitonas, Manitoba in May 1930.

Rose married Erwin Kilbrai in Minitonas on October 27, 1934, and God blessed them with four children:  George, Lilly, Ernie, and Evelyn.   Rose was a dedicated homemaker and a wonderful cook and baker. She delighted in hosting family meals, and she never wanted anyone to leave her home hungry.  “Eat, eat!” were her usual encouraging words to all who sat at her table.  She always had a large garden for fresh produce and for preserves for the winter.   A generous portion of her garden was devoted to colourful flowers.  Besides cooking, baking, and gardening, Rose learned to crochet in her mid years, and she made hundreds of articles that adorned the homes of family and friends.  When Rose moved into a suite in Heritage Manor in Swan River in 2001, she made new friends and was soon seen in the activity room putting together many puzzles until it became too difficult for her to see due to macular degeneration.  Because of failing health, Rose moved into the Swan Valley Lodge Personal Care Home in 2010 where she resided until her passing.

Rose accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior as a young girl and was baptized at the age of 14.  Upon moving to Canada with her family, she became a charter member of the First Czechoslovak Baptist Church in Minitonas.  Rose memorized many scripture verses, poems, and hymns which she could still recite during her final days.  She spent much time praying and reading the Bible, and she was often heard singing hymns as she worked around the house.  Her heart was filled with a spirit of rejoicing.   

Rose was predeceased by her beloved husband, Erwin; her parents; her sisters, Vlasta, Anínka and Tona; her brother, Karel; and her son-in-law Rod Pumphrey.   She is survived and lovingly remembered by her children: George (Marie), Lilly Pumphrey, Ernie (Jane),  and Evelyn (Bernard) Bredin; grandchildren: Gregory(Poppy) Kilbrai, Gerald (Leslie) Guenther, Randy (Cathy) Guenther, Tim (Barb) Kilbrai, Rick (Susan) Kilbrai, Andrea (Scott) Friesen, and Kara (Blair) Jackson; great grandchildren: Laura (David) Dyck; Ryan Kilbrai; Kyle, Tyler and Tory Guenther; Sarah and Dylan Guenther; Julia and Melissa Kilbrai; Amaya and Ricky Kilbrai; Malcolm Friesen; Rylan, Rowan, and Brock Jackson; half-sister Georgine (David) Nadeau; and many nieces and nephews and their families. 

Memorial donations in memory of Rose Kilbrai may be made to the Czechoslovak Baptist Convention, c/o Henry Poyman, 1305 Inglehardt Drive, Burlington, Ontario L7M 4X6 and to Swan Valley Health Facilities Swan Valley Lodge, Box 1450, Swan River, Manitoba R0L 1Z0. 

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