RUGIES, Brunhilde

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Brunhilde Rugies, resident of Kelowna, BC, formerly of Oakville, Ontario, passed away on June 27, 2017 at the Hospice House in Kelowna at the age of 80 years.

Born Brunhilde Magdalena Stadelmann in May of 1937, in the small Bavarian town of Scheidegg, Hildi, as she was known, was the youngest of 5 children and the only girl in the family. She moved to Canada in her late teens where she settled in Toronto, close to her brother Adolf and his family.  This is where she met her husband, Dieter, who was nicknamed Caesar, for his resemblance to the

Roman leader. Hildi moved to Kelowna for a change of pace after many years of work and settled into life in the Okanagan Valley.  She quickly made friends and planted roots in Kelowna, where she lived through the passing of her husband and, eventually, where she herself passed away.

Hildi was never afraid of hard work.  She loved the company of good friends, family and animals!  She especially had a fondness for Dachshunds and owned many over the years.  Hilda was a warm and caring person, who spent much of her life fighting through illness and obstacles.  She was as tough as nails, but as loving and compassionate a friend, sister or aunt that you could

ever ask for.

Due to illness, Hildi was never able to have children, but she loved her nieces and nephew like they were her own. Goggo, as she was affectionately known by her nieces and nephew, would often spend time with them and enjoyed nothing more than spoiling them rotten and taking them out for day trips, which usually included a meal at one of the many restaurants where she worked as a waitress over the years.

She will be sadly missed by her brother Adolf Stadelman; sister-in law Carole Stadelman; nieces and nephew Anthony, Karen, Angi in Canada and Angelica and Brunhilde in Germany

Hildi would have wanted to say a special thank-you to the staff, residents and friends at Mountainview and the Hospice House for their loving care and friendship.  Finally, on behalf of Hildi, a very special thank-you, as well, to Karoline and Klaus Schaffer for their friendship and for everything they did to help Hildi when she needed support and care.  Predeceased by her husband Dieter Rugies.  At Hildi’s request, there will be no memorial service and no request for donation. Consistent with her view of life, she has asked that you think of her fondly and honour her life with kindness and charity for others.  If you wish to send a condolence, post photos, or to share a memory, please scroll down this page to the area called “share your condolences.”