Mrs. Johanna Rumpf of North Battleford passed away on March 16, 2015 at the age of 90 years. A Funeral Mass Celebrating her Life was held on Tuesday, April 14, 2015 at 2 P.M. from the St. Vital Roman Catholic Church with Reverend Father Greg Elder officiating. Left to cherish Johanna's memory are her son, Henry (Shawne) and their children: Allan (Janalee), Perry (Karen), Wayne(Shelly) and Mark(Britt), Courtney(Lance) Hagen and Ryan (Nicole) Combres; daughter, Gemma Rumpf, Dalmeny, SK and her children: Michael (Lisa) Melkert, London, ON, Shawn Melkert, Saskatoon, SK, Lanny Melkert, London, ON and Nicholas (Jenn) Melkert, Welland, ON; son, John (Karen) and their children: Jeffrey (Ray) and Darcy, Edmonton AB, Ashley (Tyson) Bertsch and Colby Sadlowski; daughter, Anita (Russ) Gibson, Rockhaven, SK and their children: Yolanda(Jeremy) Hansen, Regina, SK, Douglas (Sheri), Regina, SK and Geordie, Rockhaven, SK; son, Kelly (Janet) and their children: Brett (Jenna), Martensville, SK, Layne (Taylor) and Brooke (Garrett), Martensville, SK; two sisters, Bertha Allaria "Beppy", London, ON and Martha, Holland. Numerous great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, Johannes and Anna Olde Hanhof; her husband, Martin; her daughter-in-law, Gloria Rumpf; her brothers, Gerhardus, Johannes, Hendrikus, Hermannus, Harry and Albertus; her sisters, Maria and Bertha Maria. Johanna Aleida Rumpf was born July 30, 1924 in Losser, Overijssel, Holland which was close to German border. She was the middle child of Johannes and Anna Olde Hanhof. When Johanna was 12 years old they moved to the city of Deventer and at 14 started working in a factory, as all the men were moved to Germany during the war. At 16 she worked as a conductor on the railroad. After the war she met Martin Rumpf at a dance in 1946. In 1947 they got married and he left for Indonesia for 3 years. Henry was born in February 1952 and then Martin started talking about moving to Canada, so in June they began their journey, Johanna being pregnant with Gemma. Once in Canada they were indentured farmers until they bought the homestead in 1958. Their dream was now a reality, but sometimes those dreams came at a high cost, the cost became more hard labour, picking roots and stones by hand, cutting trees for lumber to build the barns and fixing up the house to make it a home. In 1962 four years after purchase and 2 more children, John (1956) and Anita (1960), the farm was paid off. In 1963 Kelly was born. In the 1980's they started going to Yuma, Arizona where they enjoyed and found many lifelong friends. After Martin passed away Johanna stayed on the farm until 2004 when she moved to a condo in Battleford. In 2012 she became a resident of Harwood Manor in North Battleford where she was very much loved and cared for. Her contagious laugh, her sense of humor and love for story telling never left her. The family of Johanna Rumpf would like to extend their appreciation to everyone for their kind words and support during our bereavement. We wish to express our gratitude to Father Greg Elder, the St. Vital choir and luncheon ladies and to Trevor Watts and the staff at Eternal Memories. We would also like to send a special thanks to the staff at Harwood Manor for their excellent care. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Trevor Watts of Eternal Memories Funeral Service & Crematorium.
