Obituaries
MIA COHEN NIMCHONOK
With great sorrow, we announce the death of our wise, beautiful, and wonderful mother, grandmother, and sister Mia Cohen Nimchonok who passed away on May 19, 2023, at St. Boniface Hospital.
Miriam, known to all as Mia, was a child of the Holocaust, born less than a month after the outbreak of WWII to Rosa and Lazar in Czernowitz, then Romania, today Ukraine. In the winter of 1942, the Romanian authorities expelled Jews who could not prove family presence in the country for the ‘previous hundred and fifty years.’ Among them were Mia, her mother, her birth father, and her grandmother Shayveh. The expelled Jews were forced across the Dniester River into the killing fields of German Nazi-occupied Poland. Along the way, Babeh Shayveh, with many others, was murdered by the Germans, and father Lazar escaped back to Romania. Arriving in the Borszczow ghetto Rosa and Mia met Moshe, the man Rosa would marry after the war and who would become Mia’s true father. When the ghetto was liquidated in the Spring of 1943, Moshe, Rosa and Mia escaped together into the surrounding forests, where they were eventually discovered by a Ukrainian peasant named Bevsky, who took them in and hid them until, with the help of a smuggler, they returned to Czernowitz. In 1944, when Moshe was in Bucharest arranging ‘illegal’ aliyah for them to Eretz Yisrael, the Red Army occupied Czernowitz, and contact with Rosa and Mia was lost. From then until 1947, Rosa and Mia survived, wandering through Romania and Hungary, and Austria ending up in a DP (displaced persons) camp in Germany. Moshe found them there and brought them to Eretz Yisrael. In 1950, after Israel’s War of Independence, the family moved to Winnipeg, joining Moshe’s sister Gusty, who had emigrated there in 1929.
Mia spent the rest of her life in Winnipeg, establishing and caring for her family. She worked for over twenty years as a caregiver at the old Sharon Home, deeply loved and cherished by residents and colleagues alike. Notwithstanding the hard times, Mia persevered and devoted endless energy to raising her children, educating them, and protecting them from the vagaries of life. She also loved animals and especially the dogs of her later years, Amanda and Mandy.
Through adversity and in better times, Mia remained the kindest, most giving, loving person, whose strength of character and goodness were the anchor for her family and a boon to all who benefitted from her friendship and acquaintance. Above all, she retained a strong sense of humour, tinged with a smidgen of irony that allowed her, quoting Shakespeare’s Hamlet, to deal with ‘the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune.’
All who knew her give thanks for having shared time with her on earth and celebrate the life of our heroine Mia’le.
Mia is survived by her children, Lenore, Rita, Fred, Sam, and his spouse Larissa; her granddaughters Taylor and Jordynn; her brother Zev, his spouse Rita and children Jonathan and Ron; and her brother Haim, his spouse Clila and children Eyal and Libbi.
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.