Obituaries

Eileen Ruth Struss  

 1944 – 2022 

A BIOGRAPHY

BEGINNINGS AND ENDEAVORS

Eileen was born in Beausejour, but grew up in Glenmore.  She moved to Thalberg in her early years and eventually came to Winnipeg where at the age of 16 she found employment at James Richardson’s and later at CN Railways.  She married Winston at the age of 20 and at age 24 put her work aside in order to become a stay at home Mom and raise their two children… son Darren and two years later new daughter Cheryl. (truly gifts from God).  While living in Missi Falls where Winston was working she also undertook homeschooling Darren for a period of time. She always considered raising her family to be her most important life’s work along with teaching Gr. III Sunday School and working the Billy Graham TV Crusade counselling lines.

As the kids matured and became self-reliant she eventually returned to work in her field of data entry at Comcheq Services.  When the company was sold later on and renamed Ceridian Canada she continued working for the new owners – initially full time then after some time on a more casual basis until her full retirement in 2007.

THE HEARTBREAK

Eileen suffered for many years with Rheumatoid Arthritis and Restless Leg Syndrome. While in retirement Eileen developed Myasthenia Gravis, akin to MS.  The Myasthenia Gravis was controlled with medication that allowed her to function quite normally, however the Rheumatoid Arthritis eventually became her undoing.  It caused her neck vertebrae to degenerate to a point some spinal nerves became painfully and inoperably compressed.  In her last few months this caused her to lose most of her body’s mobility below her neck…finally and fatally it encompassed her respiratory system.

THE LEGACY

In the years prior and while she was still able to, she read her Bible daily and searched the internet with her iPad, uncovering much Biblical Truth; many stories of past Heroes of the Faith; End Time Prophecy and Testimonies of Miracles and Healings… all of which she would readily share with her husband that ensued many great discussions.  Even though she had experienced miraculous instant healing herself from serious and painful causes in the past, she sadly did not find the healing she sought after for the suffering she currently was experiencing.  Yet she never lost faith.  Her trust in Jesus, that started more than 55 years ago at a Billy Graham Crusade, just grew stronger each day.  She had a heart for, and supported neglected and orphaned children in many parts of the world, feeling their pain personally as she too had never known her real father.  Her father unfortunately had childhood Rheumatic Fever that weakened his heart… eventually leading to a fatal heart attack months before she was born.  Beyond that however, she doted on her many nieces, nephews and grand children… praying for them daily and asking for God’s leading in their lives as well as His protection from the evils of this world.  The one regret she expressed was having to leave them so soon, feeling she still had a lot more to contribute, but she did look forward to her heavenly home where she would finally be free from the prison of her slowly degenerating body.

EPILOG

On Wednesday afternoon, June 22, 2022, surrounded by her immediate family and supportive staff at HSC standing by, she quietly slipped into the arms of Jesus.  She leaves to mourn her passing, her loving Husband Winston of 58 years, her devoted Children, Darren (Joanne) and Cheryl, together with her nine wonderful Grandchildren and two Great Grandchildren (third on the way), her younger sister Lynn Fosty and her sister-in-law Shirley Patzer, all of whom she loved so dearly, and finally her colleagues and friends that she worked with for many years.

Eileen was predeceased by her older sister Leona in 2019 and younger brother Raymond in 2017 and Brothers-in-law Steven Fosty in 2020 and John Hiebert in 2021

THE GOOD NEWS

We know from the Holy Scriptures that her absence from this Earth is not permanent.  She will be coming back.  Those Saints (Believers) who die trusting in Jesus for their Salvation and those living (Believers) that remain to be caught away (Raptured) will ultimately return, clothed in new incorruptible bodies.  They will all return together with the Lord (Jesus) who comes to wrap up the Great Tribulation Period of Judgment that’s soon coming upon this earth and to afterwards rule and reign with Him a 1000 years.  So it’s all good!  (1Cor. 15:51-57 & Rev. 20:4).

TILL WE MEET AGAIN

Eileen, you were and are loved.  We all told you so.  We are sad to see you go, mostly because we will miss you so much.  But we would not wish you back to continue your pain and suffering.  We look forward to that great and glorious coming day of resurrection and reunion when we will meet again in the presence of our Savior and Lord, the Lord Jesus Christ.  So keep the lights on.