Obituaries
ZELMA GERI KIMELMAN
With great sadness we announce the peaceful passing of our beloved mother Zelma Geri Kimelman (née Mindess) on December 19, 2019 at the St. Boniface Hospital.
Zelma was born on August 2, 1928, in Winnipeg, the youngest of four children (Ben, Anne, Ralph) of Fanny and Jacob Mindess, recent Russian Jewish immigrants. She was raised in a large, loving close-knit family and served as interpreter for her non-English speaking parents, who worked hard to make a new life in Canada.
Zel was a vivacious, bright and talented student, excelling in academics and sports, with a close circle of friends she maintained throughout her life. She graduated from the University of Manitoba with a Bachelor of Science in Home Economics, majoring in organic chemistry and textile design. She loved teaching and taught for several years.
Zelma met the love of her life, Edwin Kimelman, a good friend of her older brother Ralph, and after a whirlwind courtship, they wed in August, 1949. They had a happy and successful marriage till Dad passed away in 2007.
Ed and Zel raised four children who gave them eight grandchildren: Linda (and Norman – Sarah & Jamie), Neil (and Colleen – Erin & Kyle), Bruce (and Lynne – Samantha) and Jodi (and Glenn – Joshua, Jared (and Mercedes) and Jesse). Zelma adored her eight grandchildren. Family was everything to her. Mom and Dad instilled strong family values and close family ties we maintain till this day.
Zelma was a consummate “Chatelaine”, she celebrated life and family get-togethers, with wonderful cooking and baking and lots of family and friends. She was a talented seamstress creating outfits for all her family. Fashion was important to her, and she was always beautifully dressed in attire of her own creation. She loved to sew, knit, crochet, upholster and create home furnishings. She created several lovely homes over the years.
Summers were spent at their Falcon Lake cottage, Mom and Dad built with help from their friends. She bravely defended us from the bears, who would come calling at our door.
Zelma was a talented athlete, interested in all sports, excelled in playing tennis and golf, most recently at Glendale, with trophies to attest to her prowess.
She maintained a keen interest in the arts and attended concerts, the opera, theatre and loved art shows. She was an avid reader and loved her book club. She and Dad loved to travel and took road trips (with all 4 kids in the back of the station wagon, towing a trailer), cruises and jaunts to Europe, Mexico, Hawaii, and Israel.
She played bridge and maintained an amazing social life with friends and family, both in Winnipeg and winters in Palm Springs.
Zelma was devoted to the Winnipeg Jewish Community, ORT, Pioneer Women and the Sharon Home and did volunteer work for the United Way. She and Ed endowed the future of the Jewish Community through a bequest to The Jewish Foundation of Manitoba.
Most of all Mom loved her family and friends. Rest in Peace Mom.
Our thanks to the compassionate staff at the St. Boniface Hospital.
If friends so desire, donations in Mom’s name can be made to the Jewish Endowment Foundation at 123 Doncaster.
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.