Lorraine Margaret Kozak

13/09/1935 - 28/04/2026

It is with great sadness that we are writing this obituary. She left us with so many memories and letting her go was so hard. So here goes. This is the story of our mom, our grandma and our grams.

Lorraine Margaretta was born September 13, 1935 to Ruby and Matteo Nacinovich and grew up on a farm in East Braintree MB. She shared many memories of her childhood and love of country living. The stories about life on the farm were very interesting and some brought a lot of laughter. She did her High school in Lorette MB and after Graduation, married and moved to Kenora. Here she raised four children and settled into being our mom and greatest supporter. Mom was a hard worker, and her hands were always making things with love. She was very talented and sewed our dresses, our dancing costumes, knitted our hats, mitts and scarves. If we told her what we needed she created it. Grandchildren and great grandchildren Loved their Halloween costumes and still have their baby blankets she crocheted for them. Many successful projects. Later she knitted hats and mitts for people in need. Her knitted dish cloths and crocheted pot scrubbers were a big hit. Mom was a great cook and was famous for her cabbage rolls, perogies and desserts. You could always be sure there would be baked goodies in her freezer when you visited. Grandchildren could always find them.

Mom worked at Pinecrest and made many longtime friends there. it was through one of these friends she met Karl. He was the love of her life. With that love came the challenge of blending two families. Life was interesting but we had many fun times. She handled all of us quite well. She enjoyed holidays with Karl going to Europe and spending time with his family. They did road trips with friends going through the Prairies and the U.S. as well as many camping trips. Mom loved having big family dinners and Christmas at her house was very memorable. Her food was always so delicious, and you could tell she put a lot of love into it. She loved to go blueberry and strawberry picking. Her blueberry desserts and strawberry jam were amazing.

After Karl passed, Mom started taking holidays with family and friends. Mom enjoyed going to Cuba, Mexico, the Maritimes, Sask, B.C. and different parts of the States. She loved spending time in Dryden with Lana, Shayne and her great-grandchildren. They would do gardening, shopping, movie nights and have many unique conversations. She enjoyed listening to their stories and catching up on current events in their lives.

Mom loved her gardening. No matter if it was vegetables or flowers, she had a knack to make them grow. This she passed on to her family, which most mastered but unfortunately not all of us. Mom was always there to help when we needed her. When Donna & Russ bought Rushing River Store, she spent many years and time helping wherever she was needed. Mom worked hard at the store and it is because of her we have always had a flower garden. She started it and we will always carry it on as a tribute to her. 'She loved being out here in the forest with the birds singing and the country air. She enjoyed having the chance to spend time with Carli and Shantelle when they worked here in the summers. Watching them work hard and growing into young adults.

Mom enjoyed spending time with Lill and Geo at their home in Rabbit Lake. She would tend to the flowers, enjoy the outdoors and looking out on the Lake. They would do puzzles and play games together and mom always enjoyed the food. She enjoyed going for walks with Lill. Mom loved spending time with Anders when he came home from university for the summers. They would have great talks, and she enjoyed going out with him for lunch. Those two had done many puzzles over the years. When he went away to school she taught him how to do laundry and gave him advice on being careful living in B.C. Mom did enjoy the times she had with Helen and the visits to Wpg. She loved the artwork of pictures Helen would send her. Mom loved her son-in-laws Geo and Russ and her grandson-in-Law Shayne very much and they always had a special place in her heart.

Mom had a special bond and was very close with her son Stan. They shared many talks and had good times. They enjoyed each other's company. He was her companion and later caregiver for many years. He took good care of her and all her needs until the Dementia progressed and it became too hard for him. She then went to Pinecrest. Mom also enjoyed Mary's company and said she was a very good cook. She liked it when it was Mary's turn to cook.

Her love for family was endless. As each child was born, she was full of joy. They didn't need to be blood related, for her to love them. When she became a grandmother, she was so excited. Her first Granddaughter Lana, followed by her first Grandson Anders, who was born on her birthday. She said it was the best birthday present ever. When she became a great Grandmother, she was so happy and felt blessed. She said she was very fortunate to still be here when the great great grandchildren were born. Mom called them the little ones. She had a special bond with each one of us and treated us all as individuals. We all were so Lucky to have her in our Life.

Mom was a very loving and caring person. She was so proud of all of us. Giving us words of wisdom, teaching us Life lessons and a teacher of love and forgiveness.

Mom was predeceased by her Husband Karl, Her-parents Ruby and Matteo Nacinovich, Brothers Roger and Ernie, special friend Harry Biehn.

Leaving her family with memories and love. Daughters Lillian (Geo) Zvanovec, Donna Alcock (Russ) Hicks, Helen McDonald (Darrell), Son Stan Denkiewicz (Mary) Kucma. Grandchildren Lana (Shayne) Pitchenese, Anders Bergman (Sandra) Phillips, Great Grandchildren Cody Pitchenese, Carli Pitchenese, Shantelle Pitchenese, Brody Pitchenese, Luna Bergman, Great Great Grandchildren Paisley and Aspyn Pitchenese, Stepchildren Steven Kozak (Tyler &family), (Josh &family), Sasha, Joe Kozak (Amanda & family), (Jonathan & family) and Michael Kozak. Special Family Deb McKay (Ashley, Seth, Maddy), Carly (Emma) Kari Hicks and Jo Lindsay (Karson), Josh and Brittany Nelson.

Because of you Mom we exist. Your blood flows through us and you are forever in our hearts. Always loved.

We would like to thank the staff at Pinecrest for the wonderful care that they gave our mom. She Loved the staff and they made her feel like family. Also, a special thank you to Brenda, Jennifer, Roda, Charmaine and Janry for making mom comfortable and giving her dignity during her final days. We appreciated your compassion and care in helping all of us through a hard time. Thank you to Walter for being there, always cheering up gramma and taking care of her. We would also like to thank Janice, Samantha and Sasha for taking the time to visit with mom, making her smile and brightening her day.

Mom didn't want a funeral service, and we are honoring her wishes. A private Celebration of Love and Life will be held at a later date.