Rose LEWANDOSKI

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LEWANDOSKI: Rose Lewandoski (nee Millenchuk) May 22, 1916 – October 27, 2009. May 1, 1916, WW 1 is raging in Europe. May 11, 1916 a young scientist named Albert Einstein presents “The Theory of General Relativity” to the scientific community. May 20, 1916, the Saturday Evening Post features a painting on its cover by an artist named Norman Rockwell. May 22, 1916, on a homestead southwest of Sandy Lake, Manitoba, overlooking the Little Saskatchewan River Valley, Sophie & Prokop Millenchuk celebrate the arrival of their first child. A beautiful daughter named Rose. And so began a 93 year journey that concludes not far from where it all began. Rose would not be an only child on that farm for long. Eight more children rounded out the Millenchuk clan. As the oldest child, Rose was expected to assume adult responsibilities at a young age – gardening, cooking, cleaning and farm work. Rose was 11 years old when a school inspector stopped by the farm one afternoon to explain to her Dad that she must attend school or he would have to pay a fine. After that day, Rose attended Montcalm rural school, but only for four years. What she learned during that short time were lessons that paved the way for the rest of her hard-working life. Following her short schooling, Rose worked for her grandfather, Wasyl Shewchuk, as a housekeeper at the family homestead. Her next stop would be the Newdale Hotel and then to Minnedosa where she worked at the Patricia Café with her pal Lena Melcosky. At the age of 16, Rose was employed at the Sandy Lake Co-op store, earning a monthly salary of $5.00. The money went back to help her family survive. Being fluent in Ukrainian and English made Rose a valuable asset to the town shoppers. It was while working there, Rose met a curly haired farm boy from north Sandy Lake by the name of Steve Lewandoski. They were married on October 14, 1943 at the Sandy Lake Ukrainian Catholic Parish – where Rose was a life-long member. Rose settled into farm life with a vengeance. Flowers, flowers and more flowers! A huge yard, a giant garden, and a barn full of cows. Oh and let’s not forget, six children as well – Robert, Raymond, Richard, Sharon, Gloria and Dennis. When Steve and Rose bought their first car, a 1953 Ford Mercury, it also doubled as a school bus – but only when the sign was flipped up. Rose filled in as a school bus driver, driving her children to Coldwell School, even on the coldest winter morning. And she always managed to avoid the ditch. She was a leader in the 4-H Club. Because Rose milked and cared for so many cows, Robert, Raymond and later Richard were introduced to the 4-H Beef Club. Rose also hilled way too many potatoes, which led her and Dennis to become active members of the 4-H Garden Club. As her girls grew, Rose became a member of the Sandy Lake Ladies Curling Club with them. She milked too many cows to count and fed chickens just to harvest them annually with her faithful dog Junior standing along her side. Because she learned to prepare food at such a young age, Rose had a gift for organizing the preparation of large amounts of food in a very short amount of time. And in some cases, with very unique cooking arrangements. She was the head cook one winter for the ice gang as they headed out to fill the ice house contracts. A gang consisted of about 16 men. She had to turn out 16 loaves of bread a day from a box car kitchen! As if caring for the men wasn’t enough, she also fed every animal that was lucky enough to find the back door, even the odd raccoon and skunk! Life always gravitated around Rose. Years after her children had grown and married, the two story farmhouse, that everyone grew to love – decorated with scattered green falling leaves – became the headquarters for an impromptu trailer park. Luckily by this time she had plenty of experience cooking for a crowd. So the population of the trailer park that overtook her yard was no challenge at all. Rose was active with the Sandy Lake Drop-In-Centre, Sandy Lake Ladies Auxiliary #184, and for over 50 years the Ukrainian Catholic Women’s League. Over the years Rose was the ultimate volunteer. Who knows how many lives she saved by donating blood. It would have been more but at the time, the Red Cross felt 65 years of age was too old to donate; Rose didn’t like that decision. She had a generous spirit, donating to many local charities. She loved and believed in the community. The farm was her world, a highlight of her lifetime was being there to witness it celebrate 100 years. Rose loved to travel. It didn’t matter if it was to the neighbour’s place or halfway across the country. It was the adventure getting there not the destination. Rose has now embarked on another adventure. She has left behind many loved ones including her children, Robert (Linda), Raymond (Lucille), Richard (Bonnie), Gloria Campbell, Dennis (Laverne) and son-in-law Red Liebing; twelve grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; her sisters, Jean (Bernie Roth) of Victoria, Kansas, and Marika (Jim MacDonald) of Calgary, Alberta; sisters-in-law Shirley and Mary Millenchuk and brother-in-law Peter Soltys.Now she is reunited with her husband of 52 years, Steve, her daughter Sharon Liebing, sisters Lena Norosky, Anne Soltys and Pearl Polson, brothers Steve, John and Paul Millenchuk, for an eternity of peace in heaven. For all her family and friends she has left the gift of her legacy that will continue to grow because of her independent and pioneer spirit. Funeral service was held on October 31, 2009 at the Ukrainian Catholic Holy Ghost Church in Sandy Lake, Manitoba, with internment at the Parish Cemetery. Pall bearers and honorary pall bearers were her 12 grandchildren. As per Rose’s wish, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Sandy Lake Endowment Fund. Vichnaya Pomyat“In tears we saw you sinking, We watched you fade away.Our hearts were almost broken, You fought so hard to stay.But when we saw you sleeping, So peacefully free from pain.We could not wish you back, To suffer that again.”

As published in Brandon Sun on Nov 07, 2009