Obituaries
EDWARD HARRY LAZAR March 27, 1924 – December 11, 2021
We lost a very special member of our family on December 11, 2021 when Edward Harry Lazar passed away at the age of 97.
He is fondly remembered by his daughters Sharon Batshaw (and her children Leor, Doron, Paul, and Yardena) and Rosalie Lazar, (husband Irwin Corobow and son Jonathan), and his great grandchildren, Davi, Asher, Emerson, and Ellyson and his many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife Mary (Olin), his parents Louis and Gertie Lazar, his son in law, Bernie Batshaw, and his siblings Sam Lazar, Hilda Stern, Ronnie Lazar and Lloyd Lazar.
Ed grew up on the family farm in Bird’s Hill, Manitoba. the 1st generation of his family to be born in Canada. He grew up at a time that was so much harder- no running water, central heat or electricity. His parents Gertie and Louis Lazar and his grandparents Rachel and Nathan Lazar and Moshe and Sarah Daiter all immigrated to Manitoba from Eastern Europe and became pioneer farmers.
He grew up loved by these people absorbing so much of who they were-a brave generation of immigrants working hard to make a good life for their family in new country.
His work ethic was so strong- it started in his childhood- milking cows daily on the family farm before walking 2 and ½ miles to his elementary school classes in Springfield.
It continued throughout his school years – taking on more farm work- watering and herding cattle, planting, harvesting and thrashing.
As a young teenager he would ride his bike from Birds Hill to Winnipeg with his brother Sam to work unloading boxcars of coal for a few dollars and by age 15 he had a steady job at the Transcona cordite factory working long hours at a dangerous job mixing explosives for the war effort. His work continued at age 16 when he travelled to Prince Rupert B.C. to work as a riveter at the CN ship yards, sending every dollar he earned home for the rebuilding of his family’s burned-out farm house. When he graduated high school, he immediately volunteered with the Canadian Armed Forces and sailed twice back and forth across the dangerous North Atlantic where there was always a risk of u boat attacks. He returned to Canada to guard prisoners of war in North Western Ontario and then volunteered and trained for the war in the Pacific. After the war he travelled to work for the Yukon Gold Corporation, running a power plant to fuel gold dredging on the Klondike River. He returned to Manitoba 3 years later and farmed in Spingfield on land adjacent to his parents farm. He then worked as an independent trucker and followed that as the long-time owner of Variety Fruit Grocery Store on Main Street.
He valued his Jewish roots, celebrating the holidays with us, attending services, and was a frequent visitor, financial supporter and volunteer at the Simkin Center. In his later years he attended the Simkin Centre Adult Day Program and valued the friendships he forged with the staff (Heather) and volunteers (Brenda). He carried with him the lessons he learned from his parents and grandparents- he spoke and understood Yiddish, and enjoyed using the best humorous Yiddish expressions always with a twinkle in his eye.
He valued family-he was there for his parents especially so as they aged. He enjoyed his siblings and their spouses and interacting with his many nieces and nephews and their children. As the health of his siblings failed, he was determined to be a regular visitor trying to brighten their days. He was the last survivor of his siblings and our mother’s siblings and missed them all so much- determined to keep their memories alive with stories.
He was simply a very happy person. Almost every time we would get together with my dad, right up until he passed away, he would amaze us with the clarity of his thoughts and memories from every chapter of his life. His childhood and farm years, his youth, his war years, his work life in the north and here in Winnipeg, and his retirement years. He was a master chronicler and story teller.
In his later years, indeed right up to this summer, you could find Ed sitting on his scooter down at the lake near his house in Lindenwoods, watching the birds on the lake, and he knew what each one was. He loved nature and being outside to see it made him
very happy.
We would like to thank his companions Trina and Linda who enriched his life when he became housebound as well as the WRHA Home Care Program for their support of Ed as his health failed. A thank you as well to Dr. Goldberg of the Fort Garry Access Centre who cared for him as his primary care physician.
The pallbearers for Ed were his grandchildren, Leor, Paul, Yardena, Jonathan and his nephews Matthew and Gary Lazar. We would like to thank Rabbi Kliel Rose of the Etz Chaim Synagogue for officiating at the funeral and his kind words of comfort to the family.
If you would like to make a donation in his memory, please consider the Simkin Centre Personal Care Home or the charity of your choice.
Obituaries
TEDDY MULLER
In the early hours of September 29, 2025, holding the hands of his beloved daughter and granddaughter, Teddy quietly passed away just weeks before his 100th birthday. His passing coincided with the time between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, the holiest of days, a sign of how honourably Teddy lived his life.
Teddy was born October 25 to his loving parents, Shlomo and Luisa in Balavasar, Romania and remained proud of his Transylvanian roots. He enjoyed a happy childhood with his older siblings, Lola and Zoli. Life drastically changed with the onset of the war. Teddy was forced into a slave labour camp while his siblings and mother were taken to concentration camps. His mother was murdered the day before liberation at Auschwitz, something that haunted him the rest of his life. Teddy’s entire testimony of the brutality that he endured is documented in the Steven Spielberg Shoah Foundation archive.
In the Fall of 1947, Teddy arrived in Winnipeg and within 24 hours was working as an upholsterer and didn’t stop until he was 88 years old. Along the way he was introduced to his beautiful Marie. They were married in 1950 during the flood and spent nearly 70 years together. Two young Holocaust survivors, with a mutual understanding of persecution and loss, began to build their lives together. They built a family with a strong and loving foundation. Their business, Art Upholstering, was built on honesty, respect and a commitment to craftsmanship. Teddy was always proud of the homes he had furnished and the connections he made with his customers. He was especially proud of restoring historical furnishings from Parks Canada. Teddy never had to take out an ad as his sterling reputation spoke for itself. Teddy had golden hands that crafted high quality showcases of his trade and artisanship. The same resilience that brought him through the war, brought him through a devastating fire where no arsonist was going to dictate his future. With the help of Fred and Cynthia Brick, Teddy rebuilt Art Upholstering from the ashes.
Family and friends were the most important things to Teddy. To know him was to love him. His charismatic and engaging personality left lasting impressions. His historical aptitude made him a force to be reckoned with in any debate.
Teddy revelled in the successes of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. They were the world to him. He took his role as patriarch to heart. His support and love for his family was unconditional. He especially rose to the role of Zaidie and great-Zaidie Teddy Bear. He was a giver and never asked for much. Sitting on his deck, surrounded by his plants and apple tree filled his heart and soul.
Aging in his home was very important to Teddy. The compassionate care of Erlyn, his Joy, Timmalee, Adeena, Rose, Johnny and Marty was instrumental in maintaining Teddy’s dignity and independence and fulfilling his wish. Teddy’s quality of life was maintained thanks to the dedication of Dr. Brenda Hildebrand and her caring team. Regular visits from Chris, Gail, Alex, Allan and Emily kept Teddy engaged and stimulated.
Teddy was predeceased by his beautiful wife, Marie, his devoted son-in-law, Marshall, and granddaughter Jada. He is survived by his beloved daughter Laya, cherished grandchildren, Kyle (Carol), Gabi (Benji) and Skye (Cam), treasured great-grandchildren Alex, Maddy, Mavis, Mickey and Dori, as well as his son Marvin, and loving granddaughters Ilana and Timna.
Donations may be made to the Marshall S. Kneller Memorial Fund at the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba or any organization supporting Israel, a cause near and dear to Teddy’s heart.
Obituaries
RUTH KLAPMAN December 20, 1929 – September 24, 2025
It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of our mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and aunt, Ruth Klapman.
Ruth lived a full life surrounded by family and friends. She was devoted to her late husband, Sam, her partner for 68 years. Together, they brought joy to every gathering-always the first to dance and the last to say goodbye.
Ruth was deeply committed to volunteer work. She gave her time to organizations including Hadassah, ORT, the National Council of Jewish Women, Pioneer Women, and the Women’s Endowment Fund. She chaired the ORT thrift store for 14 years, and she sang in Israel as a member of the Rosh Pina Synagogue Choir.
Ruth spent every summer at Winnipeg Beach, sharing komish and other treats with generations of neighbourhood children who would visit the cottage throughout the day. She was everybody’s ‘Bubbie’. Winters were spent in Palm Springs, welcoming her children and grandchildren for fun in the sun.
Ruth was a true party person who loved spending time with friends and hosting family gatherings. Her home was a place where people came together to share meals, stories, and laughter. She enjoyed travelling the world and never refusing an invitation, no matter where it was.
Mother to Sandi (Sam Malamud), Marla Bernstein, Hartley (Drew Salter), and Jody (Brian Goldberg); grandmother to Andrew (Hilary), Allan (Alona), Aaron (Alanna), Jason (Lindsay), Steven (Alexis), Dana (Tom), Brady (Matt), Carly (Jay), Hanna (Gaby), and Kevin (Ilana).
Great-grandmother to Florie, Stan, Juniper, Angus, Isaac, Otto, Cole, Chase, Charlotte, Rory, Mason, and Romi; sister-in-law to Sandy Youssiem; Auntie Ruthie to many nieces and nephews.
Ruth was predeceased by her husband Sam, her parents Reuben and Rose Youssiem, and her brother Saul Youssiem.
A special thank you to Marivel Toledo for her many years of care and dedication, and to Lorna Allen and Fabi Patriarca for their great support.
Thank you to Rabbi Matthew Leibl for officiating the funeral service, which took place on September 26, 2025, at Shaarey Zedek Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Ruth and Sam Klapman Fund at the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba, 204-477-7520.
Obituaries
JEROME AVERY
April 2, 1945 – September 11, 2025
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Jerome Avery, who passed away with his family by his side on September 11, 2025, at the age of 80.
Jerome was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, to Allan and Diane Avery. He was married to the love of his life, Karen, for 46 years, until her passing. Jerome was blessed to find love and companionship again with Sergia, who he cared deeply for.
Jerome treasured being “Zaida” to his grandchildren, Danica, Alexis, and Nathan. Jerome is survived by his loving children, Robyn (Don) and Tammy (Chris); his grandchildren Danica (Benny), Alexis (Brett), and Nathan; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife Karen, his parents Allan and Diane Avery, and his in-laws Nathan and Rose Sarbit.
His smile lit up a room bringing joy and comfort to all who knew him.