Marian Kolesar

Surrounded by her family, Mom passed away on January 10th, 2025. She will be lovingly remembered by her husband Jim, children Denise (Alex McLean), Tom, Cindy Williams (Jim), Jerry (Gloria), and Mark (Nancy), by her beloved grandsons Riley (Chelsey Schoepp), Hayden, Austin, Cody, Nate, and Mason and her new baby great grand-daughter Sutton. Also surviving are her sisters Irene Capek and Carolle Prawdzik, many nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was predeceased by her parents Bill and Jessie (Krutkewich) Safroniuk, parents-in-law Henry and Helen (Grudeski) Kolesar, and brothers-in-law Victor Capek and Gordon Prawdzik.

Mom was born on August 30th, 1944 in Mountain Road and lived from a young age on the farm next to Mountain Road church.  After finishing school in Eden, she moved to Winnipeg to find work. Finding the city not to her liking, she moved back to the farm and met her future husband Jim Kolesar at a dance. At the tender age of 19, she and Dad were married on June 18th, 1963 and moved to the Kolesar family farm in Springhill. The early years of mixed farming were hard with chickens and pigs to feed, cows to milk, and a large garden to upkeep all while raising their five children. Mom was a master in the kitchen, from baking the best cinnamon buns, donuts, and cream puffs, to making perogies and canning fruits and vegetables. She could make a full course meal for unexpected visitors at a moment’s notice. There was always coffee on whenever someone came to visit and dainties (especially butter tarts) in the freezer if we didn’t sneak them first when she wasn’t looking. It didn't matter if she was camping or at home, you never left her table without something fabulous to eat. She was generous with her time, making meals for neighbors when they most needed it, sharing produce from her garden, or crafting a cherished gift. She knitted or crocheted many a baby blanket over the years. Ice cream parties at the Kolesar’s were a neighbourhood tradition.

Mom was a member of St. Elizabeth’s in Polonia and then St Dominic's in Neepawa and the Catholic Women's League for over 15 years. She was always available to help make perogies, bake pies, or cook and serve at the fall suppers or pilgrimage. Mom and Dad did everything together, working on the farm, helping with our various 4-H endeavours, and watching their kids’ and grandsons’ many, many, many sporting events. They travelled Canada from Vancouver to Newfoundland and to the US as well. The best trips were with friends and family to Mexico, Hawaii, England, and Ireland.

 Camping was always a favorite activity with family trips to the west coast and all over Manitoba and with cherished friends at Clear Lake. Mom loved spending time with the grandkids and loved it when they came to visit. Feeding them squiggly noodles or pumpkin pie, they never went hungry at Grandma’s house. At Halloween, her bags of caramel popcorn are remembered by her grandkids and by everyone in the neighbourhood. Mom loved to read and do puzzles and enjoyed her cooking shows in her later years. She had a great sense of humour and was always quick with a good comeback. She had a fantastic memory and could always be counted on to supply a name to a face. She kept Dad on his toes right to the end and although her body gave way, her mind was as sharp as ever.

 Mom will be missed and lovingly remembered by all those whose lives she touched. The family is grateful for the nurses, health care aids, kitchen and housekeeping staff and all who looked after her while she was in the hospital and also for the home care staff that supported her through the last few years. Thank you to Dr. Jawed for her care. A special thank you to Mary Ellen Clark who supported both Mom and the family as we navigated through the final months and days. Flowers are graciously declined. Donations can be made in Mom's memory to the Neepawa Palliative Care Unit, PO Box 1240, Neepawa, MB. R0J 1H0

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