Memorable Manitobans: Marianne Charlotte “Marion” Clemens (1927-2015)

Music teacher.

Born at Schmoegerle, Germany on 12 February 1927, daughter of Karl-Hermann Clemens and Isabelle Rittner, she spent part of the Second World War in a displaced persons camp before fleeing to western Germany then, in 1950, to The Netherlands. There she met Louise Wynberg (c1922-2002) and moved with her to Canada in 1957, first living at Toronto before coming to Manitoba in 1958. They purchased land north of Oakbank to establish a hobby farm where they had a petting zoo, pony ride, and coffee shop. After 1969, they converted the facility to a music centre where she taught saxophone, flute, banjo, clarinet, and bass guitar to local children. From 1974 to 1996, she and Louise performed as The Cosmopolitans on Winnipeg cable television and in public performances. She wrote a local news column for the Transcona News and later the Beausejour Beaver and three autobiographical books: A Childhood Lost in War: Growing Up Under Nazi Rule (2008), A Beautiful Life: A Journey of Love and Rebirth in Canada (2009), and Medley, A Collection of Short Stories (2011). In recognition of her community service, she received the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal (2002). She died at Winnipeg on 25 July 2015.

Sources:

Obituary [Louise (Marlo) Wynberg], Winnipeg Free Press, 12 May 2002.

Obituary, Winnipeg Free Press, 1 August 2015.

This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.

Page revised: 5 August 2015

Memorable Manitobans

Memorable Manitobans

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