Obituary of Edna Potzus

POTZUS - Mrs. Edna Potzus, resident of the Gateway Lodge in Canora, formelry of Ebenezer, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, August 22, 2007. She was 92 years of age. Linda Edna Potzus, born June 29, 1913 to Otto and Edith Breehn who resided in the Whitesand district, She was predeceased by both her mother and father, her husband George, her only child, son; Carl, her brothers Wilfred, Harold, Danny and sister Elsie. She is survived by her sister Ruth of Brantford, Ontario and her brother Otto of Surrey, BC. She leaves to mourn her daughter-in-law Gladys of Kelowna, her grandchildren: Denise (Dale) Loucks and children Arthur and Matthew, of Yorkton, Lorraine (Blair) Penfound and children Reid, Carson and Sydney, of Kelowna;; Glenna (Seth) Kosedy and children Marley and Mikayla of Yorkton; and Linton (Kendra) Potzus and children Carter and Liam of Yorkton. Some things about Edna never changed in her life. Her brothers and sisters remember how as a small girl she was very spirited. She was never afraid to stand her ground, even though her brothers and sisters were much bigger than her. She was a very determined lady who didn't depend on anyone until her later years to accomplish any tasks. We remember Edna's love of her garden, where she spent endless hours every summer. The produce from her garden always made it to many tables. She took pride in sharing her vegetables, her homemade sour apple juice, tart apple pies, homemade buns and the best cabbage rolls that no restaurant could ever duplicate. She would take concern in making sure that you were never hungry. If you came for a visit, she was never happy unless you ate something. Now, even the great grandchildren remember that if they visited 'grandma', they had to have room for some juice and cookies. The grandchildren recall that on some occasions if she packed them a lunch for school, the lunch kit was much heavier as she would pack both sides of the lunch box. We recall her love of quilting, artwork, sewing of lingerie, the knitted slippers, siwash sweaters, these things we will never forget along with her concern that everyone should take their vitamins. Another passion Edna had was watching baseball and hockey on TV. She was so well intuned with the two sports, she could probably name more hockey and baseball players names and their stats, than most men. The early years of her marriage to George took them to work together at various tasks. Winters were spent at their northern saw mill, summers were on various road construction sites where Edna did what she did best, providing good nourishment for many work crews. Edna also had a cream route. So very different from a today's woman. Driving her truck and picking up cream cans was a job she thought she was very capable of doing. The Senior Centre in Ebenezer - the start-up of health Screening in all of the senior centres can be attributed partly to Edna as Ebenezer was the first Centre to provide this. Being involved at the 'Centre' kept Edna busy for years. Carl was Edna's only child. On her birthday, she always would recall how Carl would present her with his report card as her birthday gift on June 30th. This action prompted our celebration of her birthday one day late many times. Edna did well in remembering her grandchildren's birthdays and every Christmas she would have a card with spending money for each grandchild and their family. In Edna's later years, she came to know a certain lady who she became very good friends with. It was a friendship that lasted to the very end. As a family, we want to thank Ruth Owen for her time, and her kindness. We know that you did so many things for Edna and she truly valued your friendship and valued your visits. Millie Helm is another person who always had concern for Edna and was also a close friend. Thank you Millie. Ken Smithson, not just a friend, but also a very capable man who was called on to 'fix' things at her home. Thank you Ken and Francis for your time. We would also like to thank the caregivers at the Gateway Lodge in Canora. After someone lives independently for so many years it is hard to lose that independence. The staff provided a warm and caring environment that makes this transition so much easier. We want to thank everyone who may have made Edna's life a little more comfortable this past number of years. We will remember Edna for various reasons and at times things will come up that will bring back memories, some will give us smiles and some will be tears. We will miss her. The funeral service was held on Saturday, August 25, 2007 from the Yorkton Memorial Gardens Family Centre with Pastor Kendall Buhler of the Ebenezer Baptist Church officiating. The eulogy was given by Gladys Potzus and tributes from the grandchildren were read by Pastor Buhler. The organist, Marlene Fandry led members of the congregation in the singing of the hymns 'Amazing Grace', and 'How Great Thou Art'. The interment followed in the Garden fo St. Mark with Seth Kosedy, Dale Loucks, Randy Breehn and Linton Potzus serving as the casketbearers. Arrangements were in care of Bailey's Funeral Home. Service Information Saturday, August 25th, 2007 2:00pm, Yorkton Memorial Gardens Family Centre Interment Details Yorkton Memorial Gardens