Ilse Jakelski (Weber), 90, of Fergus, Ontario passed peacefully into eternity on February 9th, 2023, surrounded by family at Groves Memorial Hospital, Fergus. Heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Beamish (Dr. McArthur, resident), Dr. Lund, Mike Libbey, Dietician, and the wonderful 3rd floor nurses for their skill and compassionate care for Ilse. Born in 1932 in Göttingen, Germany, Ilse was the only child of Albert and Lina Weber (Lutze). Wrapped in the warmth of a loving, extended family, she stayed in close contact with them all her life. She learned piano, sang and was active in church. Her education and work included apprenticing as a housekeeper (which took her to Switzerland), learning shorthand and typing, working as an orthodontic assistant and as a secretary. Ilse married Günter Jakelski in 1952. In 1954 they fulfilled their dream of making a new home in Canada, beginning a lifelong love of Sudbury’s northern landscape and its people. Ilse loved swimming the lakes in summer, cross-country skiing in winter and was an avid walker. She offered warm hospitality to old friends and new for both short and long stays. She was a wonderful cook and loved interesting conversation. She and Günter enjoyed the arts, especially classical music, and supported the Sudbury Theatre Centre. Ilse was very active in St. Andrew’s United Church, especially as a longtime choir member. She took part in the Out Of The Cold outreach and many book/bible studies. Within the German Canadian School Association she taught German language, music and dance, often organizing her students for multi-cultural events. Interesting notes: she spent time as a tour bus guide for the city of Sudbury, played mandolin in the Jubilee Folk Ensemble for a number of years and returned to school in her 40’s to train as an RNA, a career in which she worked for 10 years. When Günter died in 2007 after 55 years of marriage, Ilse was surprised by love again. She married Eberhardt Puschel in 2009 in a happy union until his death in 2015. In 2018 she sold the family home and moved to Fergus to be close to her children. Ilse had wonderful family times, reignited old friendships and formed new ones. She was warmly welcomed at Melville United Church (she enjoyed the spirituality circle immensely) and in her condo building. She also played with the Victoria Park Seniors Centre’s Bell Ringers and the Centre Wellington Singers for one season. Despite the challenges of Covid, Ilse said the time turned into her own spiritual “retreat”. She read many books, listened to podcasts and learned how to watch YouTube videos (!!), enjoying a truly rich time. Her strong faith in a God she believed was so much bigger than we know..along with a positive, wise and gentle spirit, humour and selfless care for her family and others, defined her. Ilse was a deeply cherished daughter, niece, cousin, wife, aunt, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother (Oma). She is predeceased by granddaughter, Christine Jakelski, of Sudbury and husband Eberhardt’s son, Stig Puschel (Donna) of Sudbury. She is survived by daughter Dorothea Smith (Bruce) of Fergus; son Dave Jakelski (Bev) of Sandy, Utah; nephews Grant Jakelski and Klaus Jakelski (Cathy) of Sudbury; grandchildren Alison Wilson (Adrian) of Calgary, Michael Smith (Robin) of Fergus, Emily Smith (Rob) of Hobart, Australia, Zachary Smith of Kelowna, Ryla Gutbier (Carsten) of Berlin, Germany, Rheanne Jakelski of Sydney, Australia, Karl Jakelski of Auckland, New Zealand. Lastly, by a pile of beautiful great-grandchildren whom she adored: Maya, Jayden, Liam, Ella, Benjamin, Huxley, Vinni and Levi. Celebrations of Life: Friday, February 24th, 1:30pm, Graham Giddy Funeral home in Fergus, Ontario. Light reception to follow. In lieu of flowers please consider donating to Groves Hospital Foundation. Sunday, March 5th, 1pm, St. Andrew’s United Church in Sudbury, Ontario. Light reception to follow. In lieu of flowers please consider donating to the missions of St. Andrew’s Church. Private family interment at Sudbury Civic Memorial Cemetery March 4th.
www.grahamgiddyfh.com