Brunhilde "Hilda" Gertrud Helene (Dzaack) HAENSEL

Brunhilde Gertrud Helene Haensel left a long, full life on October 13, 2022, following her beloved husband Gerd Haensel (March 11, 2020). She passed peacefully at the Elrose Health Centre at the age of 96.

Brunhilde was born in Danzig, a seaport in northern Germany, on February 8, 1926, the youngest child of Gorge and Elsa Dzaack. She enjoyed a happy childhood and began to work in an office, until WWII disrupted her family. She moved to Kiel, Germany in the early stages of the war, and through the Red Cross, began writing to a young soldier in the German army who became a prisoner of war in Canada. She and Gerd Haensel married in Kiel in 1947 and had two children. Although Brunhilde loved the sea, she followed her husband to land-locked Saskatchewan in 1955, because they both thought Canada would be a safer place for their children as tensions rose in Eastern Germany. Working first on a farm near Hawarden, they eventually moved to the Campbell farm near Elrose, and a third child was born. Later the family moved into the town. They had found a community that welcomed them and was a good place to raise their three children, Regine, Knut and Robin. Brunhilde worked at the Golden Years Lodge for a number of years and then left to start her own daycare. This fulfilled the dream she’d had as a young woman, of working with children. Brunhilde enjoyed sewing and made many clothes for herself and her daughter. She loved to sing and eventually joined the United Church Choir. She also took part in bible study groups.

Brunhilde is survived by her three children, Regine, Knut (Janice), and Robin (Katherine); grandchildren Meshon Cantrill, Leif (Tracy), Erik (Brandi), Keith (Melanie), Jonathon, and Julie-Anne Sparkes (Ryan), along with 11 great grandchildren.

A Graveside Service was held on Tuesday, October 18, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. at the Elrose Cemetery.

Donations in lieu of other tribute may be made to the Elrose Health Centre Auxiliary, P.O. Box 100, Elrose, SK S0L 0Z0.