Obituary of Karoline Wintal

WINTAL, Karoline April 13, 1925 - January 7, 2022 Karoline Wintal died peacefully on January 7, 2022, succumbing to the increasing shortness of breath that marred her final two years. At age 96, Karoline had an eventful life. Austrian born, she grew up in war-torn Europe, losing her beloved brother Karl, killed in action. The war also brought a young Russian soldier Nikolaus into her life. With her five-year-old daughter Helga in tow, Karoline followed Nick two years after his 1950 emigration to Canada. Settling in Arnprior, Karoline adapted quickly to a new language and culture, and was soon able to help support her family by working in local factories. Life was good. Years later, Karoline, 75, and Nick accepted Helga’s suggestion that they move to Windsor to be closer to her. One of the advantages of such a long life, was that Karoline could choose to forget what you wanted her to remember and remember what you wanted her to forget! She was an extremely hard-working and determined woman, frugal yet incredibly generous in supporting her own family, and her sister’s extended family in Austria. A champion bargain-hunter, Karoline ensured that immediate and extended family members had clothes enough for several lifetimes! And let us not forget the many visiting feral cats she fed and befriended. With help from her daughter, Karoline lived independently in her small Windsor bungalow until rapidly deteriorating health led to her hospitalization and subsequent death. She will be sadly missed by her daughter Helga and Helga’s partner Frank. Karoline was predeceased by her husband Nikolaus (2013), and, in Austria, her mother Anna (1958), her father Karl (1971), her sister Anna (2011) and brother-in-law Josef Schmidl (1988). Our sincere thanks go to the doctors and nurses in Emergency and on the 4th floor of Windsor’s Regional Hospital, Met Campus; as well, to the staff of the Emara Centre Palliative Care Unit, for their exceptional care in making Karoline comfortable in her final days. Cremation has taken place, and a private family interment will follow. Arrangements entrusted to SIMPLE CHOICE (Dougall) 519-254-2585. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.simplechoicecremation.ca. If you so wish, donations in memory of Karoline may be made to the Windsor-Essex County Humane Society.