Doreen Ida (Torvinen) Breitkreuz

DOREEN IDA BREITKREUZ

December 18, 1941 - January 16, 2019

It is with great sadness the family of Doreen Ida Breitkreuz announce her passing on January 16th, 2019 after a brief stay at the Wetaskiwin General Hospital.

Doreen was born in Wetaskiwin in 1941 and was the fourth child of Terho and Impi (Hill)Torvinen.  After losing her father at the tender age of five, Doreen was raised by her mother Impi and her Uncle Oscar Hill’s family.  She grew up in the Usona Area and graduated from Wetaskiwin Comp. in 1961.

She spent a little time in Drayton Valley before marrying Walter Breitkreuz in 1963 and then later purchasing his family’s farm. Together they raised two children in Falun, Alberta.   
Doreen went on to have a strong accounting career, working for Pahal Motors, Robert F. Strong Chartered Accounts, and later rose to the position of controller of multiple properties including hotels, liquor stores and night clubs based from the Wayside Inn in Wetaskiwin.  She did private books for Darco Oilfield and neighbour’s farm and income taxes.  And she did it Old School…

Doreen was a smart cookie who kept herself busy.  She belonged to many organizations including W.I. and the Falun Lutheran Ladies Aid, and later served as a Trinity Lutheran Council Member.  Doreen helped research, type and distribute the historical Falun Freeway West Book.  Later she was recognized as a long time member of the Falun Community League where she and Wally embraced the community they loved.  She loved Walter’s music and so she, along with her friend Ruth Fuss, were number one groupies for their husbands’ band  - The Alley Cats. They were married for 53 years before Walter’s sudden passing in 2017. Doreen moved to Wetaskiwin Season’s Retirement Home and resided in their tender care until her passing.

Doreen is survived by; her son Daryn Breitkreuz of Drayton Valley and his loving wife Arlene; their two sons of whom she was so proud; Markus (Kassandra) and Nate (Carla); her daughter, Heather and Son-in-law Michael Slaunwhite of Edmonton and his children Lee Slaunwhite and Ashley Ferguson (Robin), and special grandchildren Landen and Jasmin of Stittsville,Ont; her sweet sister Ivie Selin of Drayton Valley, brother-in-law Wymande (Irene) Lambe of Peachland, BC, and special friend and cousin Lois Havanka of Salmon Arm, BC; especially remembered by her brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Robert and Johanna Breitkreuz

Also dear to her were her three God Daughters: Corinne Wasyliw, Charmaine Grant and Wendy Carter.  Numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, neighbours and friends alike, will all remember her fondly.

She was predeceased by her husband Walter, her parents Terho and Impi Torvinen, sister Elsie Lambe, brother Stanley Torvinen, and his wife Louise(nee Bailey), brother-in-law James Selin and infant daughter Cheryl.
Special Thanks to all her care givers of the past few years whose patience and gentle hands assisted her where her memory was failing her. To the doctors and nurses at the U of A and Wetaskiwin General for providing comfort and care during her numerous stays.  A big shout out to our tremendous Falun community members who stayed committed to taking her to events, church services and weekly seniors gatherings.  These things gave her something to look forward to and enriched her life tremendously.

Doreen will be missed by all that knew and loved her.  Rest in Paradise Mama Bear.

A Funeral Service will be held on Friday, January 25, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. at the Wetaskiwin Full Gospel Fellowship, on Highway 13.

Donations in Doreen’s memory are gratefully accepted to Heart & Stroke Foundation, or to the Alberta Diabetes Foundation.
 

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