Born on Sept. 5, 1913 in Heidelberg, Germany, Karolina Ann (Ohma) Gaberdiel passed away peacefully at Rosewood Villa, Fort Macleod on Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2016.
Karolina (Lina) is survived by her two daughters, Irene Belenczuk of Calgary and Margarette (Steve) Karasz of Fort Macleod, as well as her sister Ida Hupp of Stuttgart, Germany.
Karolina was predeceased by her parents Karolina Hohedl and her stepfather Heinrich Lange, as well as her husband Hans in 1969, her son Edwin Gaberdiel, her daughter and son-in-law Penny and Alec Nagy, and son-in-law Mike Belenczuk. Ohma was also predeceased by her granddaughter Margarete Wollbaum.
Ohma enjoyed many things in her long life including the Rocky Mountains, the Alps, knitting, music, Turner Classic Movie Channel, and the candy aisle in Wal-Mart. She was a gracious woman who extended hospitality to all and judged no one.
She was born and raised in Germany and married Hans Gaberdiel in 1936. They immigrated to Alberta after the war to raise their family. After living in Alberta and British Columbia, she settled in Fort Macleod for her many last years of life.
Ohma’s family will always be proud of her for her love and graciousness and yet her fierce independence. A little talked about story is how for two months Karolina hid a young Jewish family in her attic during the war. Ohma was dearly loved and will be greatly missed.
Ohma is survived by numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great great grandchildren.
A celebration of life service will be held on Wednesday, March 2, 2016, at Leyden’s Chapel of Remembrance, Calgary, with Pastor Doug Priestap officiating. Interment follows at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Calgary.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Karolina’s name to the Fort Macleod Handibus Society.
Schlaf gut Ohma, wir leiben dich.
Memories and condolences may be shared with the family by visiting leydens.com.