It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of a wonderful mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, auntie and friend, Stefania “Stella” Oshust, on May 11, 2012 at the age of 86 years. Stefania was predeceased by her husband, Walter; son, Steven; her parents, Mary and Joseph Potaczek.
She is survived by her children: Mary (Joe) Glab and family: Teresa (Trevor) Kerr [Taya, Tristen], Tyler Glab, Stan (Kendra) Oshust and family: Amy Oshust (Chris) [Brynn], Melanie (Stacy) Freeman [Ashton, Zayne], Christine Ashworth and family: Curtis Ashworth [Tiara, James, Logan], Chad (Cindy) Ashworth [Maddison], Travis (Danna) Ashworth [Cara, Charlie], Pauline Marshall and family: Marsha (Terry) Moule [Rhett, Sage, Mikayla], Kristen (Christian) Cote [London, Lexi], Tegan (Taylor) Douglas, Hallie (Aaron) Roy, Angie Oshust and family: Kelsey Kabbeke (Travis), Ryan Kabbeke (Alanna): Steven’s daughter, Elana Stack; sister Josephine Krowicki; sister-in-law, Pauline Szmigielski, numerous nieces and nephews along with many relatives in Poland.
Stefania was born on December 8, 1925 to Joseph and Mary Potaczek in Lostowka, Poland. She was the oldest of grandma’s second family of 6 children: Walter, Stanley, Anna, Josephine and Johnny. She had 3 older half siblings: Sophie, Katherine and Joseph. At the age of 17, she was taken from Poland by the Germans to work in the war camps in Germany. She worked in a dried fruit factory and a shoe factory. While in Germany, mom met her life partner.
When the war was over she had the choice of returning to Poland but she decided not to because her grandma had passed away and she felt there was no reason to return. So she arrived in Halifax on July 6, 1948 and continued on to Montreal, where she was employed by a doctor as she was on a working contract. She was to eventually make her way to Saskatchewan to hook up with dad. Mom was a little worried about coming to Saskatchewan as people were telling her that the people in Saskatchewan sat on dirt floors because they couldn’t afford a table and chairs. Grandpa Oshust ended up paying the doctor’s contract off so that mom could join dad. She was united in marriage to Walter on November 24, 1948 in the Polish Catholic Church in Cedoux.
They made the Lake Alma/Tribune area their home where they farmed and raised 6 children: Mary, Stanley, Christine, Pauline, Angie and Steven. Mom was not afraid to work. From running a household to growing a huge garden, raising cattle, chickens and pigs, milking cows and working in the field, there was nothing this woman couldn’t do. Above all, what an awesome cook, her homemade buns, cinnamon buns, yummy perogies and cabbage rolls and of course her apple cake.
She loved to play cards and looked forward to her gatherings with Uncle John, Auntie Josephine, and Mr. And Mrs. Sliwka. She taught her grandchildren to play cards and spent a lot of time having fun with them.
She absolutely loved the farm, especially the cows. It was very hard on her when she was not able to return to the farm after her stroke in 2002. Souris Valley and later Tatagwa View became her home. Mom’s faith in God was what kept her going, she looked forward to attending Mass every Saturday at the chapel. She showed all of us unconditional love, kindness, strength, hard work and her strong faith. You had quite the journey Mom but we are happy that you have now been reunited with Dad, Steven, your parents and your grandma. We will carry you in our hearts until we meet again.
Prayers were held on Monday, May 14, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. from St. Vincent de Paul Roman Catholic Church, Weyburn, SK. Funeral mass was held on Tuesday, May 15, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. from St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Tribune, SK with Father Gerry Bauche, celebrant. Interment followed at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, Tribune, SK. Honorary pallbearers were all in attendance. Active pallbearers were Tyler Glab, Curtis Ashworth, Chad Ashworth, Travis Ashworth, Marsha Moule and Ryan Kabbeke.
For family and friends so wishing, donations in memory of Stefania may be made to St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Tribune, SK or a Charity of Choice.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank mom’s Tatagwa View family for taking such good care of her and for loving her almost as much as we did.
The family would also like to thank RD Family Funeral Chapel & Crematorium for their compassion and professionalism and for making such a difficult time much easier.
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