Obituary of Helen Nesdoly

 

March 15, 1930 - September 9, 2024

94 Years

 

A Private Family Graveside Service

will be held at Rosthern Cemetery.

 

 

The peaceful passing of Helen Nesdoly (Granny) is celebrated by five children and spouses; 10 grandchildren and in-laws; 21 great grandchildren; 2 great, great grandchildren; adopted brother; two sisters-in-law and many, many nieces, and nephews.

 

She was predeceased by her husband Alexander, her siblings, Alex’s siblings, and her special friend Walter Padewski.

 

Helen was born and raised on a farm near Rosthern, Saskatchewan, to Samuel and Mary Yamchuk on March 15, 1930. She helped “Pa” with chores and in the fields. Work was hard and not a scrap was wasted. She attended Friedensfeld School until Grade 10.

 

Helen met Alex while spring cleaning for his mother in Saskatoon. They were married on June 12, 1949. They had a mixed family farm between Rosthern and Laird from which they sold grain, beef and eggs. They were egg producers supplying Rosthern businesses for many years delivering weekly to the three grocery stores, hotel, hospital, bakery, and many other customers. Mom had a green thumb so there was always a large garden with produce to harvest, can and freeze. Chickens butchered in the fall were in high demand.

 

Mom was a masterful seamstress sewing everything from doll clothes to bridesmaids’ gowns and patched endless pairs of overalls. She worked for a time on alterations for Friesen’s Department Store. Every child and grandchild received a cozy, handmade, wool-filled quilt.

 

Mom was a consummate cook. Her fried, roasted chicken; cabbage rolls; perishky; egg salad; potato salad; cinnamon rolls; and pies are among a few of the awesome and abundant delicacies created. She was asked to assist in the start-up of the Rosthern Regional Park collecting gate, camping and golf fees as well as running the canteen. In later years her cinnamon buns were still in demand at the Jubilee Sports Arena booth.

 

A favorite pastime was sketching and painting. She took classes and created canvases in various mediums such as oil, watercolor, charcoal, pencil, and shoe-polish art.

 

Helen and Alex left the farm to reside in Rosthern in 1977 building their own house. Helen was never idle and worked at a variety of jobs. She was industrious and an extremely hard worker as well as a perfectionist who expected the same from her children in all they did.

 

One of the jobs she turned her hand to was washing sheets for the medical clinic and clothes for the Station Arts. There was not a stain that could stymie her or a frayed edged that did not get mended. She drove school bus for the Rosthern District. She worked for several years as a server in the Rosthern Hotel Bar although she never drank a drop herself. Mrs. Nesdoly was everyone’s “Mom”. She worked as the Rosthern Home Care Assessor Co-ordinator, for a local lawyer, in the Rosthern Union Hospital Housecleaning and Kitchen. Her final job was with Funk’s Funeral Home.

 

Helen Nesdoly was involved in the I.O.D.E. where she had many friends. She gave tirelessly of herself and anything she could manage wherever she saw any kind of need. She had a strong faith and as children we attended Sunday School and Christmas programs. She enjoyed curling and especially loved family time and a good game of cards.

 

In later life Helen became friends with (Grandpa) Walter Padewski. They spent many memorable times fishing, garage-saling, taking a few trips, canning, playing cards, comforting each other through illnesses and visiting on the phone.

        

Mom stubbornly remained in her own home until September, 2021 at 91 years old when she suffered a shattered upper leg. The family extends a huge thank you the Rosthern Hospital, Prairie Meadow Place and the Mennonite Nursing Home for their care when declining health forced her to accept her physical constraints. In her home or elsewhere she insisted on being called “Granny” by everyone she met.

 

Both family and extended family were a comfort to her in her last days. She was blessed to have a strong, clear mind to the end.

 

Words from a song Mom loved:

“I come to the garden alone,

while the dew is still on the roses

And the voice I hear falling on my ear,

the Son of God discloses.

And He walks with me, and He talks with me,

and He tells me I am His own

And the joy we share as we tarry there,

none other has ever known”

 

Mom, we know you’ll enjoy reuniting with your many family members and keep the card games going until we meet again.

 

 

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

 

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