Rutschmann – Lilly Rutschmann of Duchess, born August 14, 1939 in Kolatschovka, Romania died on January 1st, 2022 at Foothills Hospital, Calgary, holding the hand of her beloved husband of 58 years, Ewald Rutschmann. She is survived by her two adoring children, Diana Greaves (Darwin) and Troy Rutschmann (Lorna). She is pre-deceased by her cherished granddaughter, Karlee, her Father (Albert Knodel) and her mother (Pauline Limert). Lilly and her family endured the hardships of war in Europe and moved from country to country, living in Austria, Poland and Germany. Lilly briefly attended culinary school in Germany. Her studies were interrupted when she immigrated to Canada with her mother, father and four treasured surviving siblings, Horst Knodel (Inga-deceased), Waltraudt Mueller (Bernard – deceased), George Knodel (Peggy – deceased), and Helga Witt (Erich). Lilly worked at various jobs. She hoed sugar beets, was a nanny, waitressed at the Wales Hotel, clerked at Kentucky Fried Chicken, bookkept at McLeod’s and was a teller at Canada Trust. She was well regarded by her employers because she was intelligent, efficient, hard-working and a joy to be around. In 1967, Ewald and Lilly, along with Vince Graham, their partner, started Centennial Garage Ltd., a garage and machine shop, which continues to operate today. Lilly was the bookkeeper for the garage for most of its operations. She made lunches and food for the staff and customers. The staff were family. Her beef stew and dumplings were requested by the regulars. She also would volunteer to assist with the harvests of some of her dear customers. Ewald and Lilly purchased a farm in 1982. They had many happy years on the farm with their dogs, cats, fish and partridges. Lilly was highly skilled at gardening, preserves and cooking. There was always something delicious being made in the house. Her home was warm and fed and housed large crowds on short notice. Her yard was awash in flowers, berries and vegetables. She would weed the garden, yet be impeccably manicured, hair done, perfumed and stylishly attired. She was class personified. Lilly was an amazing mother. She drove her children to Lethbridge every week for music lessons. She was fiercely honest, a sometimes embarrassing quality that her children grew to respect. If she liked you, you knew it, likewise to the converse. She worked full days, prepared meals and still took the children (along with Ewald) on various adventures such as airshows, camping, and a wonderful trip to the Yukon Territories. She loved music and dancing, especially to her friend’s band, the Soft-tones. Lilly had many friends made wherever she went and loved her nieces and nephews and was particularly close to Nancy Knodel (Clarence Maloney) and Danielle Johnston. Lilly persevered through difficult times. A broken wrist or hip did not suppress her infectious sass or stop her from making her exquisite Christmas cookies. She was the heart of our family. The hole she leaves in our lives is vast. She is irreplaceable. She will be missed forever. A Family Funeral services was held on Tuesday, January 11th at 10:30 AM from Smith Memorial Chapel. Rev. Alvin Penner officiating. Interment followed at the Duchess Cemetery.
Funeral arrangements entrusted to:
SMITH FUNERAL HOME LTD. AND CREMATORIUM
BROOKS, ALBERTA
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