TEKLA (TEENA) KLAASSEN (WOWRYK)

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TEKLA (TEENA) KLAASSEN (nee WOWRYK) On a bright and sunny July morning our beloved mother, nana and sister passed away surrounded by those who loved her. She passed away at 9:15 a.m. on Wednesday, July 11, 2001, at St. Boniface Hospital after a short but valiant fight against cancer. Born Tekla Wowryk on September 17, Teena, as she was known, was the eldest daughter of 21 children born to her parents, Annie and Roy Wowryk. As the eldest daughter, she left school early to help raise her siblings. When her mother passed away at the early age of 60, Teena became the matriarch of the Wowryk family. Her purse was always full of chocolate bars for the little ones and countless of us will always remember the taste of her perogies, borscht and famous lemon meringue pie. Teena spent many years in the food service industry including being an entrepreneurial woman long before it was fashionable. She managed cafeterias at Wiley Mercury and Southpark Ford until her retirement. She is survived by her daughters, Arlene Van Ruiten (Ben), Janet Miller (Dusty) and Carmen Neufeld; her grandsons, Kelly Wilson (Susan), Rick Vincent (Kelly Shipley) and Dave Neufeld; and granddaughter Darlene Ashley (Chris) and great-grandchildren, Benjamin and Emily Ashley. Teena also leaves to mourn her sisters, Mary Nychuk, Jeannie Paraschuk, Phyllis Tutkaluk, Sophie Zenchyshyn and Stella Hildebrand, along with her brothers, Frank, Elmer, Eddie, Nester and Peter Wowryk. She was predeceased by her parents, her husband Peter Nedohin, sisters, Helen Wowryk and Rose Grant; brothers, Mike, Joe, Harry, Stan, Johnny, Dick, Bill and Lorne Wowryk. On behalf of the family, our heartfelt thanks to the physicians, nurses, attendants, aides and other caregivers, on 7A and Palliative Care at St. Boniface Hospital, who so tenderly cared for our Mother, ever mindful of her dignity. At her request no formal funeral service will be held. A come and go gathering of family and friends will be held on Monday, July 16 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Cropo Funeral Chapel, 1442 Main St., for those wishing to pay their respects. A private graveside internment of her ashes will be held at a later date in Shoal Lake, MB. Donations to the Canadian Cancer Society appreciated. THANK YOU LORD Thank you Lord for all the things That make our lives so bright., For blue skies in the morning, And evenings rosy light. For the majesty of the mountains, And the beauty of the sea. For the animals and soaring birds, And shining green leaved trees. For flowers of a thousand hues, And gardens where they grow, For homes where happy hours pass, And the love those hours know. And thank you Lord for all the things, We might forget to name, For you who know our hearts will know, Were grateful just the same. We ask for just one blessing more, As bright as moon or stars. Give us the wisdom, Lord to know, How fortunate we are. "We love you Mum" Cropo Funeral Chapel in charge of arrangements - 586-8044.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 14, 2001