Tribute

In loving memory of Adele (Adi) Amanda Elisabeth Schmidt (nee Pahlke)

January 19, 1928 – March 27, 2024

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Adele Schmidt on March 27, 2024, in Oliver, British Columbia (B.C.). She passed away peacefully with her daughters by her side.

She was predeceased by her parents, Edgar and Elisabeth Pahlke, her former husband Abram Adolf Schmidt, and special friend, Edmund Richter.

Adele is survived by her sister in Germany, Ille Stroebel; her daughters, Monica Kraft of Oliver, B.C. and Ingrid Schmidt of Victoria, B.C.; grandsons, Kevin (Kendra) and Derek (Jamie) Kraft; great grandchildren, Kalia, Tavin and Alivia; and many other special friends and extended family.

Adi was born in Duisburg, Germany in 1928 and spent her youth there. She was impacted by the early loss of her mother and father and survived the many hardships of WWII. As a young adult, she worked in an office in Duisburg and then went to live and work on a rural farm. There she met Adolf (Ado), whom she married and immigrated to Canada with in 1952.

During her first years in Winnipeg, Adele worked in a sewing factory with other immigrant women and learned English by watching TV and movies. Many years were spent in the company of other German immigrant families, all building a new and prosperous life in Canada.

Adi and Ado raised a family in Winnipeg and in the 60’s bought a recreation property and built a cottage on the shores of beautiful Lake Winnipeg (Lester Beach). Adi and her family enjoyed many beautiful years at the cottage, enjoying things like cross-country skiing, going for walks, gardening, picking wild blueberries (and baking amazing Blueberry Cream Tortes and other treats), foraging for Chanterelle mushrooms, visiting with friends over coffee and cake in the garden, or just watching the beautiful sunsets.

Adele coordinated the family activities and effectively managed the two households and maintained the two yards. She had a flair for landscaping and gardening and could transform any piece of land, garden bed, or patio into a beautiful flowering oasis. Her talents also shone through with respect to house design and décor. She designed the floor plans for their houses and cottage, and tastefully decorated them to create stylish and comfortable homes for her herself and her family.

Adi later moved to West Kelowna, B.C. to be closer to her daughters, enjoy the beautiful mountain vistas and milder winters. She and Ed enjoyed dancing and had many fun outdoor adventures, such as exploring and picnicking in the various Okanagan parks. She enjoyed many local camping excursions, spending the days exploring, and evenings gazing into the dancing flames of a campfire. She also had the good fortune to enjoy many trips to Mexico or other warm and sunny destinations in the winter.

Adele loved having flowers in the house and playing games, with cribbage and scrabble being her favourites. She was a sharp player and was often the winner.

Adele made her last trip back to her homeland of Germany for a visit in 2000. She went to accompany her daughter, Ingrid, who was travelling in Europe at the time. Adi and Ingrid had a wonderful time visiting and reconnecting with Ille and Hans Georg and other family members in Germany.

Her last few years were spent at the Westwood Retirement Resort in West Kelowna and the Sunnybank Retirement Centre in Oliver, B.C. She received good care from the staff in those facilities and from the frequent visits and loving support of her daughters.

Adele lived her life with integrity, was always positive, and had a kind and gentle spirit. She was a strong, brave and generous woman, loved her family very much, and had a true joy for life. Her smiles, laughter, and unwavering love will be sorely missed. We’ll think of her often and especially when we see an orchid (her favourite flower). And, when we see a hummingbird fly by, we’ll smile to ourselves knowing she’s saying hello.