Irmi Luise Balanyk

Irmi Balanyk of Dauphin, Manitoba passed away on Sunday, April 24, 2022 at the age of 96 years.

Irmgard (Irmi) Balanyk (nee Erkens) was born 18 October 1924 in Oldenburg Germany.  She had 4 sisters and
2 brothers. Irmi grew up in a very troubling time, a teenager when the WWII started.  Having survived the war she
met a Canadian soldier that was stationed in Oldenburg that became her future husband, Leslie Balanyk.
Irmi immigrated to Canada as a war bride in 1948.  She settled in Ukraina with her husband and son Henry.  In
1950 they bought a homestead 3 miles north of Sifton where they farmed, working extremely hard for many years.
In January 1975 Irmi ventured out for a new life.  She moved to The Pas, MB where she found employment as 
a nurse's aid in St Anthony's hospital.  Wanting to make a better life for herself and her 3 young children, 
Irmi continued to work the evening shift at the hopsital while upgrading her education in order to enroll in the LPN
course offered at Keewatin College.  She was successful in her endeavor and after graduation as a LPN she worked
on the pediatric ward for 14 years, retiring at the age of 69 in 1994.On her retirement Irmi moved to Dauphin to be 
near her daughters, Lucille and Irene. Irmi had 8 children.  Surviving children are Henry (Dauphin MB), Louis (Winnipeg MB),  
Ralph (Dauphin MB), Rosemarie (White Rock BC), Robert (The Pas, MB) Carolyn & Dave (Saskatoon SK), grandson Glen (Brandon MB), 
granddaughter Cerry (Surrey BC), grandson Tyler (Dauphin MB), great granddaughter Elyse (Surrey BC).  
She was predeceased by her husband Leslie (1991) daughters Lucille (2005), and Irene (2013).
During the 1980's and 90's Irmi travelled many places.  She visit both coasts, the USA  and many times to Germany to visit her family.  
Lucille and Carolyn and Irene had travelled with mom to Germany having an interest in where mom was from.  Between1986 and 1990 when Rosemarie 
was stationed in Baden West Germany mom visited every year.  When Rosemarie was on a tour of duty with the United Nations in
the Golan Heights, Irsael, Irmi came for a 2 week visit.  While there she toured Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Damascus Syria and Beruit Lebanon.
In keeping with Irmi's wishes, cremation has taken place and a private family service will be held at a later date with family and friends.

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