Obituary of Joseph Kozenko

 

November 17, 1941 - February 20, 2024

82 Years

Joseph (or known to everyone as Joe) Kozenko was born in Gronlid, SK, on November 17, 1941, to Tillie and Mike Kozinko.  In the early years, he moved around with his family in the Meath Park area, later recalling that they moved around like gypsies.  Having been the third oldest of 9 children, life was very busy.  Joe held various jobs in his early years.  He often shared stories of his time working as a trailer manufacturer and working at the Edmonton Potato Growers.  Joe married Rose, and had three children:  JoelyAnne, Adam, and Gerald.  Sadly, Rose passed away when their children were still young.  In 1975, Joe met Marjorie Jones, and they were married in 1976.  They moved to St. Louis, SK, with the three children and started their own potato farm and market garden.  Joe was self-sufficient, always fixing his own machinery.  With his knowledge of carpentry, he built their own house.  There was always something to do, as there was never a shortage of work.  His younger three children were born in the years that followed:  Joseph Jr, Lillian, and Michael.

Joe’s hobbies included electronics, fishing, cooking Ukrainian food, baking his favourite lemon pies, making his homemade candy, inventing things, even building his own helicopter and house elevator, which he didn't get to finish, attending to his cats, and enjoying the company of his relatives when they came to visit him on his farm in St. Louis.  Joe liked science, science fiction, and enjoyed listening to old country music, like Johnny Horton.  Joe would challenge others while discussing topics such as politics and religion.  He wouldn’t get too serious about things.  With his humour, he enjoyed joking around, especially if you got him going first.  He would say, “If you’re ribbing me, I get to rib you too!” Then he would laugh with you.

Joe encouraged all of his children to get their education.  Up until the end, he was a role model for them all to be strong, independent and caring.  He would say, “Think before you speak.”

After years of being a smoker, he was diagnosed with COPD, which affected his breathing and his mobility.  Sadly, he passed away at 82 years of age, peacefully in his sleep on February 20, 2024, at Rosthern Mennonite Nursing Home, due to complications of his COPD.  He is survived by: his wife, Marjorie Kozenko; his siblings, Henry (Vera) Kozinko, Sandra (Garry) Pilon, Betty (Roy) Borrowman, and David (Eunice) Kozinko; his children, JoelyAnne (Richard) Kut, Gerald, Joseph, Lillian (Paul) Hutfloetz, and Michael; 12 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.  He is predeceased by his oldest son, Adam Kozenko; his brothers, Mitchell, Jerry, Elias and Ed Kozinko, and also by his parents, Mike and Tillie Kozinko. 

 

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CELEBRATION SERVICE & VIEWING

Monday, February 26, 2024

2:30 – 4:30 P.M.

 

Funk’s Funeral Home Chapel

1010 - 7th Street, Rosthern, SK

 

A short service lead by Amos Fehr - Chaplain at the Mennonite Nursing Home, Rosthern

starting at 2:30 P.M. following that is visitation with the family for the remaining time.

 

 

Arrangements entrusted to Funk's Funeral Home, Rosthern, SK

 

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