Kathryn Olshewski

Kathryn passed away on January 21st , 2022 at the age of 94 years. She was born in Beaver Plains, Saskatchewan to Wilfred and Mary Lister. Mary passed away soon after and Kathryn was raised by her maternal grandparents, Kasper & Katherine Seitz. She grew up amongst her aunts and uncles, 8 in all, who loved her as their youngest sibling. She also enjoyed a close relationship with her father and stepmother Betty, brothers and sisters Leonard, Arthur, Allan, Donna and Dianna.

At the age of 19 Kathryn married George Olshewski and they settled in to life on their farm in the St. Phillips area of Saskatchewan. In 1951 their first daughter Bonnie was born. Kathryn worked side by side with George. The days were filled with cooking, gardening, putting up preserves to feed the family, tending livestock and all the extra work that family farming entails. In what little spare time she had Kathryn found time to sew many of the family’s clothes. Whenever a special occasion would arise the hunt would be on for the pattern and material needed to produce the perfect dress or outfit. And it was never a disappointment!

   In 1960 they sold their farm and relocated to Russell, Manitoba where they would spend the next 50 odd years. Russell quickly became their home and many lifelong friendships were forged over the years. In 1965 their second daughter Leanne was born.

In 1991 they sold their farm and moved into town. Retirement afforded them more time for coffee and card games with friends, some travelling and camping. Kathryn loved flowers and gardening and with more time on her hands their new yard was soon flourishing with Apple trees, perfectly manicured shrubs and beautiful flowers.

 Family was of utmost importance to Kathryn. As the years passed the family grew with two sons in law,  Joe (Bonnie) and Peter (Leanne), grandchildren Joey, Erin, Mitchell and Eric; great grandchildren Ryder, Parker, Piper, Rommy & Lincoln.  They all held a special place in her heart.  She loved holidays and summer picnics and any opportunity to gather and spend time with them.

Kathryn was also a member of the CWL at St. Joseph’s Church for many years. She and George were regular members at the parish and all their fellow parishioners were an important part of their lives. 

In 2012 George passed away and in 2013 Kathryn relocated to Selkirk to be closer to her children and grandchildren. She dearly missed her home and kitchen and gardens and all the things she was once able to do. Russell would always be “home” for her and she often talked about friends and good times from her life there. She continued to receive the Russell Banner and enjoyed catching up on the local news every week.

The last 9 years of Kathryn’s life were spent at Tudor House in Selkirk. She enjoyed being close to family and being able to spend more time with them, especially the great grandchildren – the little ones. She made new friends at Tudor House and found new hobbies and settled into new her life there thanks in large part to the kind and loving staff. 

Kathryn leaves to mourn her passing her daughters Bonnie (Joe) and Leanne (Peter), grandchildren Joey (Janet), Erin (Mark), Mitchell (Robyn), and Eric, greatgrandchildren Ryder, Parker, Piper, Rommy and Lincoln, sisters Donna (Wayne) and Dianna (Keith), sisters in law Verna, Doreen and Ruth, and many nieces and nephews.