Lidia Kiziuk (nee Shapka)
September 24, 1927 – June 02, 2018
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It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our matriarch Lidia on June 2 ,2018 at the young age of 90 years, 8 months. She will be lovingly remembered by her son Peter Kiziuk, daughters Margaret Ostrowsky (Morris), Olga Saxler (Werner), Liza Russell Bially (Donny), seven grandchildren: Larissa, Andrea (Clayton), Adam (Shannon), Vanessa, Alanna, Jason (Megan), and Brandi (Justin), five great-grandchildren, six step great-grandchildren, two sisters Raisa and Valentina, four nephews and two nieces.
She was predeceased by her husband of 36 years, Stefan, parents Harry and Olena Shapka, brother George, son-in-law Bruce Russell and infant grandson Mark Saxler.
Our mother was a sociable, pleasant, courageous, hard working lady who faced many challenges and hardships in life. Lidia was born in Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine. After surviving the Famine in Ukraine and the World War II, she came to Canada by ship in April 1949, when she was 21. She immediately began employment on the sugar beet fields in southern Manitoba. Then she was hired to pick tree roots on the Kiziuk farm. Here she met Stefan and they married on November 12,1949. Together they worked hard on their grain and cattle farm. Given she was raised in the Great Depression, the farm brought security to our mother and she ensured her family would not endure hunger like she had. She raised cattle, chickens, pigs, turkeys, geese and ducks. She certainly had a green thumb and was known for her HUGE vegetable and flower gardens, apple trees and raspberry patch where she spent countless hours and you would never find a single weed. Mom was a strong lady who had many skills and talents. She could easily deliver a calf when a cow was having trouble birthing, butcher a chicken to make a pot of fresh chicken soup, make home made sausage, carry tons of heavy pails to gently scoop out and water her tomato and cabbage plants and planted 20 rows of potatoes yearly. Our farm emulated” Little House on the Prairie”. She was a dedicated homemaker who took great pride in cooking, baking, and canning. Her family was spoiled with her delicious borscht, holubtsi, perogies, Paska and Babka bread, pies, doughnuts, Khrustyky, pickles and jam. She insisted that all the traditional Ukrainian food be made fresh, even if it meant her staying up all night. Although she was proud to be a farmer’s wife, there was another side to our mother. When there was special occasion, she knew how to “dress to the nines” and was known as the lady with her hair in beautiful updo’s. She loved to have stimulating conversations with family and friends.
In 1967, our Dad suffered a stroke and had to give up farming. Our Mom remained supportive at his side, attending medical appointments with him, raising her family, and doing all the farm chores. She surpassed the definition of what a strong woman is. A dedicated mother, she ran a tight ship at home and her children couldn’t get away with anything. She taught her children to have kindness, empathy and compassion for others and this legacy was instilled in her grand children. After our Dad passed away in 1986, her son Peter returned to the family farm and our Mom continued to live there with him. She was a warm, proud and nurturing Baba who always had a supply of treats in her house and enjoyed telling and reading stories to her grandchildren. Over the past 5 years, poor health kept her at home, but she never complained because the farm was her paradise. When her grand children grew up, she channeled her nurturing to her pet dogs and cats and there would always be a cat finding comfort on her lap. She was a passionate reader of home making books and had a huge collection of recipes.
She was a life time member of the Rosa Holy Eucharist Catholic Church and took pride singing in the church choir. She was a dedicated member of the Rosa Women’s League for over 40 years.
In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to Rosa Holy Eucharist Ukrainian Catholic Cemetery Fund, P.O. Box 24, Rosa, MB R0A 1N0.
We lost our strong family matriarch and she will be missed greatly. We are thankful for the love she gave us.
“Rest in Your Garden of Paradise Mom and Baba”
Vichnaya Pam’yat
Memory Eternal
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Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Lidia Kiziuk nee Shapka September 24 1927 June 02 2018.source
Décès pour la Ville: Steinbach, Province: Manitoba
