STEFFIE KRASNOWSKI (IICHYNA)

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STEFFIE KRASNOWSKI (nee IICHYNA) September 14, 1920 February 21, 2008 Steffie's spirit finally went to join that of her beloved son Douglas when she passed away peacefully in her sleep at Bethania Personal Care Home at 87 years of age. Her memory will be cherished and she will be sadly missed by her daughters Linda and Teresa (Gavin). She is also survived by her son Greg (Linda), grandson Brian (Jo-Anne) and great-grandson Ryan. In addition to her son Douglas, she was predeceased by her husband Ben, son-in-law Tom, brother Albert, and half brother Donald. She will be missed by her brothers and sisters Peter, Albena (Ken), Tony (Eileen), Joyce (Ron), Gerry (Jerry), and sister-in-law Audrey, as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews, friends, and staff at Bethania Personal Care Home. Mom was born on the family homestead near Hazelridge, Manitoba. Her mother died when she was only six years old and she and her brother Albert went to live with her grandparents where she enjoyed the happy, carefree years of her childhood. Her father remarried when she was ten and she returned home to the family farm. When brothers and sisters began being born, Mom had to leave school to help with the work of raising them. Although Mom never achieved a level of education beyond grade six, she had many talents and achievements during her life despite the hardship of a myriad of debilitating diseases. She left the farm to move to Winnipeg at age 18 where she worked at a variety of jobs including Eaton's Mail Order and as a member of the Fort Garry Hotel banquet staff. After marrying Dad in 1947, she stopped work to become a homemaker and mother for the four children that came in quick succession between August, 1949 and May, 1954. Mom had a real green thumb . We grew up always having a large garden patch in the back yard every summer as well as flowers in pots, borders and beds all around the house. She was well known for her geranium, begonia and impatiens arrangements and strollers along the street often stopped to admire the plethora of colours at the house in the center of the block on Union Ave. When Mom moved to Baron Estates in September, 2003, she continued to brighten up her life and those around her with hanging planters and potted geraniums on the balcony of her suite during the three summers she lived there. Steffie had a zest for life despite her painful episodes with rheumatoid and osteoarthritis. She loved to travel and made a number of trips, among others, out to BC to visit Linda and Tom, Aunty Mary, and, of course, Doug. She had so many fond memories of her vacation trips with Doug to Hawaii, Florida and Washington, DC. She also loved to fly to Las Vegas for a week of playing the nickel slots, enjoying shows such as Liberace, and admiring the dancing fountains at the Bellagio and the amazing Fremont Light Experience. When the casino opened at Shooting Star, Mom was a regular on the buses heading south for a two or three day getaway every two or three months. Her favourite activity at Bethania was the weekly bingo games on Tuesday afternoons. When Steffie was feeling well, she always had a smile on her face and a cheery disposition. She loved to dress up and had many coordinating outfits including earrings, necklaces and other adornments. She was a flower in bloom that brightened up any area as she motored along in her power chair. Thank you so very much to the staff at Bethania Personal Care Home. You helped make Mom's last few months a satisfying experience for her. Thank you also to Dr. Carl Derksen for the many years of care you gave Mom. And thank you for all the love and support expressed by friends and family. Mom is smiling down on us all now that she has gone Home. A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, February 27 at 2:00 p.m. at Green Acres (Hwy No. 1 at Navin Rd). Rev. Fr. Fred Olds officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of your choice. GREEN ACRES Funeral Home and Cemetery Hwy. #1 E. at Navin, (204) 222-3241 Life stories may be shared with friends and family across the globe at www.mem.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 23, 2008