Obituary of Alvina Kozmech

KOZMECH - After a life well lived - filled with memories made - Alvina Kozmech, formerly of Yorkton passed away in her sleep on February 4, 2012. Alvina was born on May 22, 1927 at Donwell, Saskatchewan to Albin and Kate (Sklaruk) Kshanowski. Alvina developed her strong work ethic and sense of family from her upbringing on the family farm and being the eldest of four sisters. She received her education at Mazeppa School. Alvina first saw the love of her life in a picture at her friend's house and said to herself, "that's the man I'm going to marry". She was united in marriage to that man, Fred Kozmech, on October 25, 1947 and together they farmed in the Tonkin district and raised their four children, Carol, Larry, Valerie and Carla. Alvina had a green thumb and her flower beds, bursting with colour, always greeted her family and friends as they came to her door. Planting and harvesting her garden was a time for celebration as the family would gather together to plant and then reap the benefits of their hard work with a huge "taking off the garden" celebration. Even though the celebration usually started in the early hours of the morning, her grandchildren cherished this time of year because they knew that after all their hard work, they would be rewarded with a flat deck ride (usually sitting on top of all the garden remnants) and fresh corn for supper. Her hands not only tended her garden and flowers but also had a knack for creating beautiful keepsakes for her family. Alvina loved to knit, crochet and craft. Her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren were blessed with patchwork quilts, baby blankets, knit slippers, strings for mittens, doilies, and other treasures made by Alvina's hands. Alvina was also the master of her kitchen, baking bread and cinnamon buns, or all day festivities of perogy and borscht making with her daughters and grandchildren. She made sure that anyone who visited her home didn't go away hungry and holidays still hold some of the greatest memories for her family. Alvina and Fred farmed until the fall of 2001 when Fred's health began to fail. Alvina moved to Queen Elizabeth Court in Yorkton after Fred passed away and resided there until October, 2010.For the past few years Alvina spent living with her daughter and son-in-law Valerie and Garry. Left to cherish Alvina's memory are her children: Carol (Bob) Kaschl, Valerie (Garry) Matechuk and Carla (Ken) Cadrain; her grandchildren and (great grandchildren): Rob Kaschl and his partner Jen (Jazmine, Zachery, Jarrett, Landen, Grayson), Cara Hildebrand and her husband Derrick (Emmett), Meghan Kozmech-Mohr and her husband Clayton (Dayson), Tanis Kozmech and her partner Cole, Travis Kozmech, Tamara Woroschuk and her partner Jay (Lane & Maddy), Jason Woroschuk and his wife Chantelle, Lynette Woroschuk (Bailey), Desiree Cadrain and her partner Nathan (Gabriel) and Joelle Cadrain as well as her three sisters, Adeline (Metro) Romanuik, Isabel (Eldon) Klotz, and Victoria Clifton. Alvina was predeceased by her husband, Fred, in March 2002, her son, Larry, in May 2003, her parents Albin and Kate, and her brother-in- law, Doug Clifton. The Funeral Service was held on Wednesday, February 8th at St. Andrew's United Church in Yorkton with Rev. Milo Spooner - Craig officiating. The organist, Carla Laycock led St. Andrew's Choir in the singing of the hymns, "Love Divine, All Loves Excelling" and "Bringing in The Sheaves". The interment followed in the Garden of St. Mark at Yorkton Memorial Gardens with Grandsons, Rob Kaschl, Jason Woroschuk, Travis Kozmech, Derrick Hildebrand, Clayton Mohr and Jay Murray serving as the casket bearers. Memorials honouring Alvina's life may be made to St. Andrew's United Church or the Heart & Stroke Foundation. Condolences to family can be forwarded by visiting www.baileysfuneralhome.com Funeral arrangements were in care of Bailey's Funeral Home. Service Information Wednesday, February 8th, 2012 2:00pm, St. Andrew's United Church Interment Details Yorkton Memorial Gardens