Obituary of Margot Elisabeth KRUGER

September 21, 1930 – March 8, 2012 It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, Oma and friend, Margot Kruger on Thursday, March 8, 2012 after a valiant and courageous battle with cancer at the age of 81 years. Margot was born into very turbulent times and those times bestowed upon her a strength of character and dignity that was a shining example to us all. She was born in Kiel, Germany in 1930 to parents Hans and Martha Erdloff. In 1939, World War II broke out and she spent her early adolescent years in various children’s homes throughout rural Germany and Austria. In early 1945, close to the end of the war, she was returned to Kiel and as a result, spent many sleepless nights shuttling back and forth to bomb shelters as Kiel was virtually all but destroyed. The years immediately after the war saw much deprivation and hardship and this experience resulted in Margot always having a keen sense of the value of a dollar and an appreciation for the small but good things in life. At sixteen, Margot was told she would become a seamstress and although she became very proficient at her trade, it can be unequivocally stated that she truly hated that profession and apart from a few involuntary hours in that trade, she always did her best to avoid anything to do with it. Margot was a stunningly beautiful young woman and found work as a model; often times showcasing the coats and clothes she made herself. In 1953, Margot married dashing Heinz Kruger and together they had a son Wolfgang who sadly passed away within days of his birth. Our mother never spoke of this. In 1956, son Gunther came along. Seeing a new life in the New World, Heinz and Margot immigrated to Montreal and they arrived in Quebec City, with baby in tow, in the spring of 1956 on the Arosa Star, to begin their life anew. The 1960s were hallmarked as a wonderful time for Margot as their apartment on Linton Avenue became the go to place for fabulous parties with wonderful friends from all walks of life. And always, there was the accompaniment of the most wonderful music. In 1965, Margot was blessed with the arrival of her miracle baby girl Karin. Shortly thereafter, she got a job at the Chateau Champlain Hotel and she was always pleased that she was able to mingle with some of the major celebrities of the day. In particular, she was delighted when Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor left her a $20.00 tip. In 1969, our family moved back to Germany but this experience only proved that you can never truly go back and Margot in particular was never entirely happy in her new Old World surroundings. She had in fact, become Canadian at heart. In 1971, the family moved to Calgary and this thriving, energetic city became her adopted home for the remainder of her life. For many years, you could find her working as the hostess-manageress at JB’s Big Boy on MacLeod Trail. A job she truly loved and excelled at. In her later years, Margot found pleasure in the simple things in life and she enjoyed gardening, walking and spending time with her family. There is a bench that overlooks Fish Creek Park and this became her favourite place on this earth. Margot was possessed of a kind heart, a great sense of humour and an inner strength that saw her through the many trials and tribulations of life. She will always be fondly remembered by those that knew her. Her hard work, courage, steadfastness and the many sacrifices she made on behalf of her family will never be forgotten and she will always be appreciated. We take comfort in the knowledge that her suffering is at an end and that she is surrounded by those that love her. Margot leaves to mourn, her daughter Karin (Linh), son Gunther (Cynthia) and grandsons Jesse and Martin. She was predeceased by her husband Heinz and her son Wolfgang. A Memorial Service will be held at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY’S Fish Creek Chapel (14441 Bannister Road S.E.) on Tuesday, March 13, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. Forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. At this time, we would like to thank the wonderful staff of the Rockyview Hospital Palliative Care Unit for making Margot’s last days as comfortable as possible. In living memory of Margot Kruger, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Fish Creek Chapel, 14441 BANNISTER ROAD S.E. Telephone: (403) 256-9575.