Obituary of Ursula Maria Edith Koehler

July 8, 1935 – Tilsit, East Prussia, Germany

May 3, 2023 – Calgary, Alberta

Ursula Maria Edith Koehler (nee Meinokat) was born July 8, 1935 in Tilsit, East Prussia, Germany to Alfred and Gerda Meinokat. At the age of 1 her mother died, which started a very difficult period in Ursula’s life that lasted until her teenage years.

She married Bernhard in 1956 and her first daughter Ingrid was born Wolfsburg, Germany in 1958. The family emigrated to Canada in 1960, and daughter Barbara was born in Toronto in 1962, and daughter Catherine in Calgary in 1964. Caring for her family was always her first priority, and her loving nurturing nature made her a wonderful mother and wife.

Ursula was an accomplished artist, and she passed her talents in painting, drawing and music on to her daughters. She enrolled in the Alberta College of Fine Arts in order to hone and expand her skills and was a member of the Calgary Sketch Club. She became a well-known artist whose pastel work was often commissioned.

Her love of music prompted her to join the Singgemeinschaft of the German/Canadian Club where she not only sang, but created and modified music and lyrics for the choir. Her considerable talents included a love of gardening, and her flower and vegetable gardens were known and appreciated by many.

After suffering a massive stroke in 2002, she defied all medical predictions and fought back to regain a full and productive life. Her strengths, talents, and love and devotion to her family will continue on through her children.

She is survived by her two daughters Barbara Campbell and Catherine Koehler (Paul Aigner); son-in-law Don Schmidt; grandchildren Darick (Lianne) and Jayla Furgula (Ian); two great-grandchildren Kinsley and Koehler Furgula; her sister Edeltraud Pribenow (Werner) and a large extended family in Germany. She was predeceased by her husband of 62 years Bernhard, and daughter Ingrid.

Funeral Services will be held at McInnis & Holloway (Crowfoot, 82 Crowfoot Circle NW, Calgary, AB) on, Friday, May 26, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. Reception to follow in the Hospitality Centre at the Funeral Home. Family and friends who are unable to attend in person are invited to join Ursula’s service streamed live (see below) on the day of the service. For those who are unable to view live, a recording of the service will be posted. Condolences, memories, and photos can also be shared and viewed here. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made to the Stroke Recovery Association of Calgary, Box 5051, Station A, Calgary, Alberta, T2H 1X1, Telephone 1-403-827-7520, https://www.sracalgary.com/

In living memory of Ursula Koehler, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Crowfoot, 82 Crowfoot Circle NW, Calgary, AB T3G 2T3, Telephone: 403-241-0044.

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