Barbara Joy Flegel
February 15th, 2019
Barbara Joy Flegel (nee Austring) was born in Brampton, ON, Canada. She was the youngest girl of eight children to Norman and Lillian Austring.
Barbara left us after an arduous battle with cancer. She had fought this battle and other illness many times throughout her life. This did not define anything about her, however. She was a lively, dynamic, hope-filled person who impacted everyone she met.
She leaves to mourn her best friend and soulmate, Michael, with whom she had great adventures of joy, laughter, and pain - all while raising a house full of children. These children are the great blessings of Barbara and Michael’s life. Her love for her children; Oriano Di Ruscio, Vienna Di Ruscio, Merv Jennings, Justin Spence, Alynne Marion, Jeremiah White, Heather Flegel, and Thomas Flegel with their spouses and partners was of the utmost importance to her. Barbara also found great joy in her growing grandchildren.
None of these great loves could have borne the fruit, evident in her life, without the most important love and commitment she had to Jesus Christ, her Lord, and Saviour. She said that the gift of Christ's love for us overrides our feeble attempt to live up to the incredible goodness of the Lord she served.
We all know she had an abundance of gifts bestowed upon her; a masterful culinary artist, a touching writer, and a skillful artist. Barbara had a hunger for higher learning and understanding of the world. She was an avid reader and a collector of books that would take your breath away.
Always an open door and an open heart, a great appreciation for good humour - Barbara had a sarcasm that could leave you squirming. If she got close enough to you ....at the very least.... you left thinking more informed about your decisions in life and the ramifications of them.
Barbara was not afraid of where this journey was heading...she knew who she was and where she was going. She told us that it is like moving to a different country and we would meet her there.... on the other side of the river Jordan.
A Celebration of Life will take place on Friday, March 15, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. in Valley Alliance Church (Highway 10), Fort Qu’Appelle, SK.Messages:
Dear Michael & Family - I am so very sorry to hear of Barb's passing. Barb and me were friends since kindergarten and well into the years when Oriano and Vienna entered the world. Over the following years different commitments, interests, jobs and moves took us both elsewhere. The last time us girls were together (us girls that met in elementary school - Barb, Val Keck, Cory Entwistle, Barb Solomon & me), we reminisced about the past and what we were all doing at the time. We shared many, many laughs as well as a few cocktails. After several hours together we parted ways and that was the last time I saw Barb in person. Cherish all the memories and moments you had with her. I believe as Barb did ... we will meet each other again. My deepest condolences to you all. - Charlene (Abrahamson) Nelson
I wasn't a big fan of eggplant until I met Barbara, my husband John Johnson's cousin. We were blessed to have Barbara and Michael and their family live near us in Nelson BC for awhile which allowed us to get together for some great meals. It was at their house one summer evening when Barb taught me how to roast eggplant by cutting it thin and adding lots of oil and salt. I never knew how delicious eggplant could be. I now relish in my summer eggplant and think of Barb every time as I cook it just as she showed me. Barbara was the type of person that could light up a room when she walked in. This is how we will forever remember her. Peace to Michael and Family.
Dear Mike and family, we were so saddened to hear of Barb’s passing. She was a wonderful lady with a great sense of humor. Such a joy. God bless. Pat and Desiree
I got to know Barbara somewhat when she was Manager of Qu'Appelle Housing Authority. I was the Housing Inspector at the time. She was a wonderful person with a wonderful soul who wanted to get so much done with so little support. I always enjoyed our meetings and always left feeling better than I had on arrival. I am saddened to hear of her passing but know she is no longer suffering. My sincere condolences to her family and friends.
I only knew Barb slightly and briefly through Mike many years ago but I used to bump into her regularly at the library too. She was extraordinarly perceptive and knew when to provide kind words to people who could use them. My sympathies to Mike and the family.
from the blom family.sorry to hear about your loss.barbara was a very beautiful out going person.god bless her.
Oriano and Vienna, we are sorry for the great loss of your dear Mother. May beautiful memories give you the strength at this time. Our heartfelt sympathies to you and your family.
A flood of memories has come over the two of us and our family as we learned of Barbara’s passing. Time together and then apart, moves and relocations have not allowed ourselves to visit and now we are left yearning for one more laugh, one more audacious comment, the wink, the verbal challenge, the exquisite nibble, a comment with deep reflection or concern and most of all the smile, the love. Love of friendship. Wholesome love. Love everlasting. Michael you are in our hearts and our minds and our tears are for our great times and for a great woman. Take good care of your family and yourself and remember. Remember her well. We will. Robert and Shelley Twerdoclib, and girls.
Our family is sad for the loss of cousin Barbara. Being the youngest. It's not what you expect. The last time I saw Barbara she was a small baby and now she's gone. . Condolences to your very large and considerate family.
we will remember what she teaches us，and we will share our love to others like her.god bless！she will be in our heart！
Dear Aunty Barbara, my heart aches knowing you are gone & we are so far away. You are truly unique & special. Stunningly beautiful with the most generous heart, wicked sense of humour & strong in your convictions. There are so many people who owe you more than can be expressed in words. It is comforting to know you are in glory now however difficult for those left behind. Sending our love & prayers to Uncle Michael & all your children
To my dearest Auntie Barbara, you are a beacon of strength and hope modelling how to be full of faith in God and sarcastically funny in the midst of an intense battle. It may never be known how many people you encouraged and lifted up, sometimes by the scruff of the neck when it was needed. This was not what we wanted and I mourn deeply of your passing, but to know you are in the presence of our eternal God and Creator brings about so much healing and awe for what you must be experiencing now. In fact it’s not you my heart hurts for but rather the ones left behind, until we see you again. God bless, Keith
I remember Barb as always laughing. My deepest sympathy to the family and may you Rest in Peace Barb. You are with your God and he welcomes you home!
Our dear sister, the lovely, the bold, the strong and compassionate Barbara. March 2018, Geri and I traveled from Australia to be with you. We spoke of never seeing one another again – at least on this earth-and so it is…but we have a future engagement and we each intend to keep that appointment. By prayer, the Word and walking with God we have shared a special fellowship. You have overcome significant pain generated by more than physical illness – and through it all God has made Himself known again and again. No one could snatch you from His hand. Indeed, you have overcome and we can no longer measure the blessings God has provided (they are so abundant), including taking you home. I hold your picture in my hand, tears roll gently down my cheek and I grieve the lost years, but in anticipation of what is yet to come and the promised reunion we claim, my heart beats strong. We will meet again in the fine company of our Lord at that appointed time. Peace be with your children who -for now- are left behind and also with Michael your dear husband. But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself. Philippians 3:20-21
Barb has been part of the Schiazza family since I can remember. What a wonderful lady. She truly will be missed.
I remember Barbara as a cute little girl. And then she moved to Regina with her family. I then saw her off and on when I visited Saskatchewan. The last time we visited was at Johnson granddaughters reunion. We had a lovely walk on a Prairie road. She talked about her life , her hopes and struggles. It was great to reconnect with her and other cousins that weekend. I know her older sisters did keep up to date on her. May her family keep close the memories of her and the way that she touched their lives as they work through their grief. Blessings Cousin Linda
We are saddened when those leave us too soon and will grieve for her family that is left behind to carry on without her. But we are so Happy that Barbara has been called to take up her true home with Jesus. May we all look forward to that glorious day when Jesus calls us home. We have such fond memories of Barbara's wonderful sense of humor and her endless caring and generosity. Be at Peace Barbara.
A heart full of love and courage. A defender of the weak. Generous, funny and clever. A dear friend and sister who will be sadly missed. Her greatest legacy is the children she & Michael loved and raised and who she spoke so proudly about. She passed on her faith and hope that we will reunite in that bright land one day. Love & prayers always dearest.
I did not know Barbara personally, but I know her son Oriano, and if children are a reflection of their parents, then she must have been an incredible lady. My sincere and utter condolences from my family to yours, and may you rest in peace Barbara.
I remember Barbara asking as I was leaving Wadena on my honeymoon, “Aren’t you staying for aunty June’s wedding.” Praying for your family and praising God that we will be joined together again with many other loved ones in heaven. Aunty June
Beautifully written remembrance of a beautiful lady. We loved our niece “Barbie Joy.” Our love and prayers are with all of you. Uncle Juel and Aunt Betty
Dear Barbie! Creative, courageous, and caring! Above all, confident in who Christ is and what He has done for us. Feeling with and sending love to the family. God bless, strengthen and draw each close to Him. Aunt Jean and Bill
Dear Michael, Jeremiah and all Barb’s children, What a beautiful to Barbara. She truly lived a life of service to others and to her Lord Jesus. I knew Barbara through my visits to Jeremiah many years ago and recently reconnected with her on Facebook. All her posts and messages were beautiful and full of feeling and I’m so happy to have become reacquainted with this beautiful lady. My heart is so saddened for all of you at her loss and I pray that you will be comforted with the knowledge of how much she loved and prayed for all of you and that she is now in a better place and free from pain. With love, Pat