Mrs. Irene Kwasnitza, long-time resident of Theodore passed away on Friday, November 28, 2014 at the Ituna Pioneer Lodge. She was 95 years of age. Irene Kwasnitza was born on May 9, 1919 in the Insinger district of Saskatchewan; a daughter of John & Mary Rawlyk. She was raised on the family farm and received her education in the district. In addition to all the duties helping her family on the farm, Irene also worked out for farm families in the district as a young woman, including the Kwasnitza family. Here she met Alex Kwasnitza and the couple was married on November 6, 1940 at Yorkton. The couple farmed in the Theodore district for the next 32 years. On August 9, 1972 Alex died tragically in a farm accident. Within the next year, Irene moved from the farm into Theodore. To support her family, Irene began working at the Theodore Hospital as a cook, a position she held for 10 years until her retirement. Irene was very faithful to her church, as the family were long-time members of Holy Ascension Parish, Westbrook district. She was always ready to lend a helping hand by serving on various church committees and put in countless volunteer hours at the hall. Her hard work ethic continued on well into her retirement years, as she prided herself in keeping busy and active. One can only imagine how many perogies she would have made in her lifetime. Irene was also a sports fan, closely following the Theodore Buffalo hockey club for many years. As her health began to decline, Irene came to need more constant care, she had been a resident of the Ituna Pioneer Health Care Centre at the time of her passing on November 28, 2014. She was 95 years of age. Besides her husband Alex, she was predeceased by her parents; brothers Bill, George, Sam & Steve Rawlyk; sisters Sophie Gelmich & Bella Sokolotochy. She leaves to cherish her memory her eight children: Marion (Gilbert) Hrysio of Winnipeg; Orest of Edmonton; Melvin (Monica) of Yorkton; Edward (Margaret) of Nelson, BC; Lawrence (Kim) of Edmonton; Beverly (Bob) Selzer of Saskatoon; Allan (Kathy) of Edmonton; Leona (Brian) McComish of Calgary; thirteen grandchildren & nine great-grandchildren. Also a sister, Doris Russell of Saskatoon; numerous nieces, nephews and her many other relatives and friends. The funeral service was held on Monday, December 8, 2014 from the Yorkton Memorial Gardens Family Centre with Very Rev. Fr. Mel Slashinsky officiating. Cantor, Gerald Yaholnitsky, assisted by Parish Choir members, sang the responses. The cross bearer was Jeremy Pikel. The interment took place in the Holy Ascension Parish Cemetery, Westbrook district with sons Orest, Melvin, Ed, Lawrence, Allan & grandson Byron serving as the casket bearers. Condolences can be left at baileysfuneralhome.com. Memorials were to the Heart & Stroke Foundation or to one's charity of choice.
