Gisela Christa LUTZKE

Gisela Christa Lutzke, aged 87, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 7, 2021 at East Kootenay Regional Hospital in Cranbrook surrounded by family. She was born December 22, 1933 in Breslau, Germany to parents Bruno and Gertrude Mallok and was the older sibling to a brother and sister.

Gisela married the love of her life, Erich Lutzke, on February 27, 1953. After enduring the hardships of World War II, they travelled across the Atlantic Ocean for three weeks on a Tramp Steamer in hopes of a better life. Two years after arriving in Canada, Gisela and Erich moved to Fernie, B.C. and began setting down roots where they purchased land and created a home in Cokato. In 1967, Erich passed away in a tragic mine disaster which left Gisela beyond devastated and with an 18-month-old son to raise. Gisela faced many hardships in her life and was a strong woman and fighter, right until the very end.

After the loss of her beloved husband, two days that brought her happiness were the birth of her two grandchildren, Sydni and Kurtis. Gisela loved the outdoors, especially in the Spring when she eagerly awaited to see the flowers bloom once again. She was a passionate gardener and was the sole caretaker of her acreage for many decades.

Gisela enjoyed the simple things in life such as driving down an old dirt back road and reminiscing with friends she met along the way. Although most of her family remained in Germany, Gisela was forever grateful for the friends she met in Canada that felt like family. She was also welcomed into the Dialysis family at EKRH, and sincerely loved every single nurse that cared for her.

She is survived by her son, Willi and daughter-in-law Jody, grandchildren Sydni and Kurtis, her brother-in-law Herman, sisters-in-law Inge and Marianne, and siblings Hans and Renate in Germany.

She is predeceased by her husband Erich, brothers-in-law Ulli and Joe, her parents and parents-in-law, and all of her dogs.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the East Kootenay Foundation for Health – Designate Renal.

Email cmfs@shaw.ca for Zoom link.

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