Obituaries
LAURANE SCHULTZ
We sadly announce the passing of our beloved mother, Laurane Schultz, on January 25, 2020.
She was predeceased by her beloved husband of 62 years, Albert; parents Anna and Louis Greenberg; sisters Esther Goodman and Sylvia Struzer, daughter-in-law Anna, and cherished family members.
She is survived by her children Erica (Phil Denomme), Lois, Victor and Myron (Elana) and granddaughters Dafna, Abbie and Liat. She will also be greatly missed by sisters-in-law Alice Halprin and Sally Shuckett; her sisters’ daughters Roberta Goodman, Pam Stelcner and Lisa Ohayon; her dear nieces and nephews; her grand-parenting partners, Serky and Ben Goldberg; and many wonderful friends.
Born May 14,1926, she was the golden-haired youngest of three. Her parents were immigrants who settled in Regina before moving the family to Winnipeg’s North End in 1929. Her father was a Hebrew School teacher, her mother a homemaker who performed in Winnipeg’s Jewish Theatre. They imparted strong values of social consciousness which she carried throughout her life.
As a young child she was recognized as a piano prodigy and learned much of the most difficult repertoire by ear before she could read music. She went on to win many awards and scholarships and had her own weekly radio show on CBC. She had fond memories of playing for the troops in Carberry and accompanying the Gilbert and Sullivan productions at St. John’s High School.
In her late teens, she left to study piano in Montreal, continuing at Juilliard in New York with Joseph Raieff and in California with Soulima Stravinsky. Reflecting back, she said that the greatest piano teacher she had ever worked with was here in Winnipeg, the late John Melnyk.
On one of her visits home, our parents were introduced by a mutual friend who knew of their shared love of music. They married on December 20, 1951 and a budding concert career was happily set aside for a wonderful life as inarguably the world’s most cherished wife and mother.
Her love and knowledge of music was at the core of her soul, and we literally learned music at her feet, lying underneath her treasured grand piano as she taught and played. As our own talents emerged, she devoted herself to developing them to their greatest potential.
Throughout her life she was also a marvelous cook and hostess. Her baking was unsurpassed, her fried chicken could have built an empire. Her presentation of food from the simplest sandwich to the fanciest torte was as wonderful as the taste, and brought her great satisfaction.
Our mother also helped our father in business as a sounding board for marketing and developing products, working at trade shows across North America and helping in the retail store – the Wonderful World of Sheepskin. She loved visiting with the staff at the company’s annual Christmas party where she was always treated with great affection and respect.
As a young family we enjoyed wonderful trips to Grand Forks, Bemidji and Grand Beach, and later to Florida, Las Vegas, Maui, and the Caribbean. In retirement, our parents cruised the world and then fully embraced the Snowbird life at their home in Palm Springs, which became our favorite place to spend time together, with beloved spouses, partners, and grandchildren now added to the family.
Her granddaughters brought tremendous joy to her life. She followed their interests and activities with great pride and was so pleased that music was a part of their well-rounded lives. She was fascinated by their discussions about environmentalism and their understanding of the world’s most pressing issues.
Though nearly ninety-four, our mother retained her youthfulness, beauty, grace, intelligence and vitality. Her strength upon losing our father in 2013 was an inspiration and we did everything in our power to ensure she continued to live the best life possible. We loved spending time with her sharing meals, talking, playing cards, travelling, getting together with friends, or just watching TV. She was a voracious reader, a Scrabble and crossword expert, and a very talented sculptor. She continued to practice the piano daily, and still played beautifully. She was a political news junkie, always up on pop culture, and in recent years a devoted Jets fan.
We are thankful to her physician and friend Dr. Wayne Manishen and his colleague Dr. Dana Moffat; to Leona, Lettie and Dolores who assisted her in her home and treated her like a queen; to the gatekeepers at 141 Wellington Crescent, especially Chris, Hans, Randy and Tony; and to Drs. Jean Prenovault and Bruce Martin and the staff at Victoria General Hospital 4 North for their care and kindness.
Our mother was our comfort, our friend, our guide and our biggest supporter. All who knew her will miss her beautiful smile, humor, wisdom, kindness and gentle spirit. While our loss is beyond profound, what we had was so extraordinary, the only word that truly applies to us is Blessed.
Services were held Tuesday, January 28 at Congregation Etz Chayim officiated by Rabbi Kliel Rose and Cantor Tracy Kasner.
The eulogy was lovingly delivered on our behalf by David Weinberg.
Pallbearers were Jason Cristall, Allan Keisler, Daniel Koulack, The Honourable Shane Perlmutter, Kinzey Posen and Steven Raber.
Honorary Pallbearers were Melvyn Pollins and Richard Yaffe.
Donations in her memory can be made to The Canadian Music Competition/Winnipeg Chapter at www.cmcnational.com or to any organization serving Winnipeg’s homeless.
Obituaries
Dr. VELIMIR KON B.Sc., B.Ed., M.Sc., Ph.D. September 18, 1950-June 27, 2025

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Dr. Velimir Kon, or Shlomo, beloved husband of Branka and father of Deborah and Lea. Velimir was an accomplished teacher and academic, and he was renowned for his intellectualism, humility and humanity.
A gentle soul who was always sociable and who genuinely loved people, Velimir was equally at home in the university classroom as a professor and as a secondary school Biology, Chemistry and Math teacher in Northern Ontario (Big Trout Lake) and Manitoba (God’s River, Berens River). Velimir made a difference to many First Nations students throughout a career that spanned decades. He was dedicated to his students, colleagues and family. An adept and talented pianist, Velimir enjoyed the arts and of course Jewish humour. He was an avid shul goer and supporter of Israel and enjoyed his duties in shul as a Kohayn. Velimir was a man of faith who was able to fuse his love of science and Judaism.
Born in Croatia, Europe (the former Yugoslavia) to Shoah survivors Rose (Rochel, ne Lederer) and Arnold Kon (Ariel), Velimir immigrated to Canada with his wife and girls in 1988, making many personal sacrifices along the way to ensure a peaceful and safe life for his family. Adaptability and optimism characterized Velimir. Known for his heart of gold, Velimir touched the lives of all who had the privilege of knowing him. A love of Jewish values, family values and life-long learning and education characterized Velimir. With his charming, outgoing and friendly personality, Velimir welcomed everyone into his life and into our home.
His kindness, humour, generosity and goodness will be deeply missed by his family and friends in Winnipeg, Victoria, B.C., Guelph, ON, Osijek, Croatia, Belgrade, Serbia, Los Angeles and Boston, U.S.A., and Israel, Jerusalem, Haifa and Karmiel. Baruch Dayan Haemet.
A traditional funeral was held on June 30, 2025 at the Hebrew Sick Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can still be made to Chabad Lubavitch of Winnipeg, B’nai Brith or the JNF.
Velimir will be forever missed and cherished by Branka, Deborah and Lea.
Obituaries
ELAINE BEVERLEY KAPLAN
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our sister and aunt, Elaine Kaplan. She died on June 24, just a month shy of her 69th birthday.
She was diagnosed with lung cancer 15 months ago, and was given about six months to live, which she was able to exceed with great courage and determination.
Elaine was predeceased by our father Phil Kaplan and mother Bess Kaplan. She is survived by her brothers Gerry (Nancy Hughes), Allan (Rennie) and Sheldon (Mona), along with her nieces and nephews.
Elaine was able to remain at home up until a few days prior to her passing at the St. Boniface Hospital, which was her wish. She was employed by the Canada Revenue Agency for the majority of her career. She loved nature and was devoted to feeding the neighbourhood squirrels and birds. She also adopted and cared for many rescue rabbits over the years. Her family was important to her, and she loved attending family weddings and barbecues.
Donations can be made to the Canadian Cancer Society or to a pet rescue of your choice.
Obituaries
ALAN KLUNER

Suddenly and unexpectedly, Alan Kluner passed away on July 11, 2025 at the young age of 66. Alan had a very good life despite some ongoing health challenges he met head on for the majority of his life. He loved family and was a very kind and loving son, brother and uncle.
Born in Winnipeg, Alan developed a small but close circle of friends he maintained for many years. His passions were following his sports teams (Jets, Vikings, Bombers) and attending numerous rock concerts.
Alan is survived by his oldest brother Martin (Reesa), his sister-in-law Hanna, his four nephews and nieces Mickey (Stephanie), Corey (Sean), Zev (Kristen), Elana (Danny), and his great-nephews and great-nieces Mason, Lucy, Nora, Remy and Enzo.
He was predeceased by his parents Bill and Phyllis, brother Kerry, and uncle Alvin Mantell.
Alan’s funeral service was graveside at Shaarey Zedek Cemetery on Tuesday July 15, officiated by Rabbi Matthew Leibl. Pallbearers were: Martin Kluner, Mickey Kluner, Corey Kluner, Elana Kluner, Henry Goldfeld, and Alan Levine. Honorary pallbearer was Albert Yanofsky.
For those who wish, donations in Alan’s memory may be made to Diabetes Canada or the charity of your choice.