Evelyn Elizabeth (Klassen) Janzen

In Loving Memory of

Evelyn “Evie” 
Elizabeth Janzen
(nee Klassen)
age 77
Lovingly remembered by her husband Norman, 
daughters Melanie (Keith Plezia) and 
Cheryl (Jamie) Lindsay and grandchildren 
Emma and Aaron Lindsay.

Died 
February 17, 2026
Boundary Trails Health Centre
RM of Stanley-Winkler, Manitoba 

A celebration of Evie’s life will 
be held Saturday, May 16th at 1:00pm
at Blair Morrison Hall in La Rivière, Manitoba.

Donations in memory of Evie may be made to the 
MS Society of MB, Cancer Care Manitoba or the 
Heart and Stroke Foundation.

Evelyn “Evie” Elizabeth Janzen
August 7, 1948 – February 17, 2026

It is with the heaviest of hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved
Evelyn Elizabeth Janzen on February 17th, 2026.

Left to cherish her memory are Norman, her husband of 57 years; their children,
Melanie (Keith Plezia) and Cheryl (Jamie) Lindsay; grandchildren Emma and Aaron
Lindsay; siblings Cathie Kesslar, Carol Enns, Neil Klassen, Christopher Klassen, and
Angela Janezcko; in-laws Lorenz Janzen and Esther Peters; many nieces and
nephews, cousins; and so many friends.
Evelyn was predeceased by her parents, Cornie and Ann Klassen; parents-in-law,
Peter and Betty Janzen; and brother-in-law, Ron Janzen.

Evie was born in Winkler, Manitoba on August 7, 1948. Upon graduation from
Winkler Collegiate in 1966 she moved to Winnipeg and began work at the
Manitoba Telephone System. She happily called Winnipeg her home for the next
34 years. In 1967 she married her high school sweetheart, Norman. They bought
their starter home on Essar Avenue in North Kildonan in 1973. They had a fulfilling
life there, raising their two daughters in a neighbourhood filled with kind and
loving people who became life-long friends. During this time, Evie worked as an
educational assistant at John Pritchard School and River East Collegiate for 20
years. Evie and Norman saw their children—alongside the neighbourhood
kids—achieve successes beyond their wildest dreams. Once the kids were
established, and after retirement, Evie and Norm moved to La Rivière, Manitoba in 2002.

Evie was a tireless volunteer. While in Winnipeg she was always involved in extracurricular activities at the school,
supporting the community club, canvassing for Cancer Manitoba, and more.
During their time in La Rivière, Evie and Norm became heavily involved in the community. Evie was a committee member of the Local Urban District (LUD) Village, Chairperson of the La Rivière Community
Recreation Centre, a board member or the municipal Community Development
Organization, and various other organizations receiving numerous accolades
including the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Volunteer Award.

Throughout her life, Evie found joy in organizing dinners, special events, happy
hours, and parties for neighbours, work colleagues, family, and friends. She loved
her yard and enjoyed cutting the grass and gardening, tending to birds and
butterflies, and sitting on the deck in the sunshine.

Evie will be remembered as a loving wife, mother, grandmother, auntie, and dear
friend to so many. She showed her boundless amounts of love through food,
knitting, and gardening and dedicated her life to serving and supporting her
family, as well as her community. Her caring and generous heart will be deeply
missed and we will continue to feel her presence in our memories—but also in
jars of jam and pickles, knitted blankets, seeds, and plants that she shared with so many of us.

We offer our deepest gratitude to the dedicated staff at St. Boniface Hospital and
Health Sciences Centre, to Evie’s homecare workers, and especially to the staff at
the Boundary Trials Health Centre where Evie spent her final days supported by
the most compassionate caregivers.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Manitoba Heart and Stroke
Foundation, Cancer Care Manitoba, or the MS Society of
Manitoba—organizations that Evie was passionate about.

In accordance with Evie’s wishes, cremation has taken place and there will be no
funeral service. Instead, we will host a celebration of life in the spring to honour
her memory and her contributions to the community and to share our stories of her. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Evelyn Elizabeth (Klassen) Janzen, please visit our floral store.