Phyllis KOLESAR

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

KOLESAR:Phyllis Ellen passed away peacefully with her family by her side on March 6th, 2015 in Minnedosa at the age of 88. Phyllis was born on Feb. 26th, 1927 in Roche Percee SK, the sixth child of Edwin and Blanche Andrew. The family moved to Kelwood, MB when Phyllis was a child, travelling by covered wagon. She was raised with five brothers and one sister, in a home where sports and music played a large part in their lives. Phyllis loved to play baseball - her sister would pitch and Phyllis would catch (bare handed, of course!). In 1947, she attended the first class of LPN’s in St Rose, MB. In 1949, Phyllis married Bill Kolesar and settled on a farm east of Kelwood where she raised her four sons - Terry, Willie, Bernie and Mark. Billy frequently worked away from home, leaving Phyllis and her sons to manage the farm. Free time was spent knitting, crocheting, quilting and making rugs. In 1972, Billy and Phyllis moved to Brandon where she worked for many years at Hillcrest Place. In 1983, they built a dome house in Rapid City, where they spent their retirement years. Grandma had many talents. She enjoyed working in her yard, tending her garden and beautiful flowers, and was well known for her crafts - creating beaded hangers, making wooden lawn ornaments, knitting mittens, hats and socks for her grandchildren, to name a few. She also enjoyed the challenge of jigsaw puzzles. She faithfully watched her team, the Blue Jays, play ball in the summer, as well as watching curling in the winter. Grandma resided in the Minnedosa Personal Care Home since 2013, and we are thankful for the care she was given. Phyllis is survived by her four sons: Terry (Doreen), Willie (Vera), Bernie (Cheryl), Mark (Dianne), 11 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband Billy, her parents, Edwin and Blanche, her brothers Alf, Wilf, Harold, Russel and Mearl Andrew, and sister Pearl Grudeski. Funeral service was held in Minnedosa on March 11. She was laid to rest beside her husband in the Kelwood Cemetery.A butterfly lights beside us like a sunbeam and for a brief moment its glory and beauty belong to our world. But then it flies again. And though we wish it could have stayed… we feel lucky to have seen it. (A.U.)

As published in Brandon Sun on May 02, 2015