Alexandra 'Alice' Leson, formerly of Canora, SK, passed away at the Yorkton and District Nursing Home on Monday, October 6, 2014 at the age of 94 years. Alice was born on March 25, 1920, the third eldest of fourteen children who were raised on a farm by their parents, Stephen and Dokina (Kudeba) Terlesky in the Burgis district. Alice attended West Scalet School. She married Mike Leson on June 20, 1937 and together they raised their nine children on the original Leson homestead, approximately four miles south of Canora, SK. Alice was number one in the profession of being an exceptional wife, mother and pioneer woman of her time, working hard on the family farm from sunrise to sunset, milking cows, feeding chickens and pigs, tending an enormous garden, hauling water, washing clothes, ironing, cleaning, sewing and making meals. On occasion she could even be seen driving the tractor or truck to help Mike in the fields especially during harvest time. Her strength was exemplary. Alice and Mike were members of and married at the Uspenska Church (known as "the Church on the Hill") and attended services there throughout the years. Later after moving to Canora, Alice became a member of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Holy Trinity. In 1969, Mike suffered a stroke. Alice became his primary caregiver as well as raised their three teenage children. Finally in 1977, with no children remaining at home, she and Mike moved to Canora, leaving the farming to their two sons. Her love, devotion and strength were very evident as she cared for Mike until his passing in 1984. Alice continued living by herself in Canora, tending her small garden, planting flowers, making perogies (especially cottage cheese perogies for her son, Norm and homemade doughnuts for her grandson, Shannon), enjoying her numerous visits with her children, their families and weekend visits with her daughter, Marie. A fond memory of the grandchildren is when everyone crowded into her tiny apartment to enjoy the twelve meatless dishes Baba prepared every Ukrainian Christmas Eve. In 2006, at the age of 86, Alice moved to the Yorkton and District Nursing Home where she continued to reside, until her peacefully passing with family at her side. Alice leaves to mourn her two sons: Wilfred (Adeline) and Norman (Debbie) of Canora, SK; her six daughters: Marie of Yorkton, SK, Evelyn (Gerry) Greaves of Vancouver, BC, Karen (Rick) Kanski of Winnipeg, MB, Linda (John) Lafantaisie of Winnipeg, MB, Deborah (Timothy) Gibney of Woodstock, ON and Constance (Michel) Leson-Carle of Stony Plain, AB; son-in-law, Gerald Ramstead of Yorkton, SK; seven sisters: Elizabeth Wiwchar, Vera Hudema, Anne Hudema and Jean Billy all residing in Yorkton, SK, Lillian Filipchuk of Saskatoon, SK, Marge (Bill) Boychuk of Edmonton, AB and Iris (Matt) Ryczak of Yorkton, SK; one brother, Mike Terlesky of Regina, SK and two sisters-in-law: Gerry Terlesky of Saskatoon, SK and Aileen Terlesky of Atikokan, ON. She also leaves to mourn her twenty-three grandchildren, thirty-two great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild as well as numerous nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her parents: Stephen and Dokina Terlesky; her husband, Mike; daughter, Barbara Ramstead; son-in-law, Paul Kaufmann; grandson, Tyson Kanski; brothers: George and infant brother, Metro, John and William, sisters: Helen Terlesky (at age nine) and Mary Berehula; and her brothers-in-law: Metro Berehula, Orest Wiwchar, Mike Hudema, Dan Hudema, George Billy and Sam Filipchuk. Relatives and friends were invited to Prayers held at Leson's Funeral Home on October 10, 2014 at 7:30 pm. Funeral services were held at the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Holy Trinity, Canora on October 11, 2014 at 10:00 am with Rev. Fr. Michael Faryna officiating. Interment followed at the Canora Cemetery. Those wishing to make expressions of sympathy may make donations to the Yorkton and District Nursing Home or to a Charity of Donor's Choice as tokens of remembrance, in memory of Alice Leson. Family and friends unable to attend are invited to sign an on-line guest book for Alice at www.lesonsfuneralhome.ca. Arrangements were entrusted to LESON'S FUNERAL HOME, Canora.
