Ena Ruzicka

The funeral mass for the late Ena Mary Ruzicka, formerly of Wolseley, Saskatchewan who died at Montmartre, Saskatchewan on September 13, 2002 at the age of 93 was celebrated in St. Anne's R.C. Church, Wolseley on September 17, 2002 by Rev. Ed Hengen. Interment followed in St. Anne's Parish Cemetery. The pallbearers were Ed Gilbert, Frank Schneider, Grant Schneider, Glenn Ruzicka, Rod Ruzicka and Dan Manning.

*******

The following was the eulogy as given by granddaughter Tammy (Pow) Manning:

As someone who has just turned 30 years old, I consider myself very lucky to have had my grandma, Ena Ruzicka, in my life for so long. I also consider myself very lucky to be able to speak of how wonderful this special lady was.

Grandma was born on September 30, 1908 in the Westfield district of Saskatchewan, the second of three daughters born to Edward and Helene (Vanaelst) Van de Velde. Her older sister was Margaret and her younger sister, Marie. She was raised in the Wolseley area, took part of her education through the Westfield School, and then she lived and continued to help on the farm while she was going to school at the convent in Wolseley. This was the beginning of her life-long love of nature and gardening. When Ena was about 26 years old, (1936) she met a young Czechoslovakian man named Joseph and after a little courting, the couple got on the "peanut line" and headed to Wolseley to get married. At first Joseph and Ena settled in Limerick and farmed. While there they had four children - Joe Jr., Sylvia, Ed. and Evelyn. In 1946 the family up rooted and moved to Wolseley. The couple settled in their house on the corner of Ash and Cedar and established themselves into the community.

On June 12, 1983, my Grandpa Joe passed away suddenly and Grandma was left to fend for herself. While this sudden loss may have incapacitated some individuals, Grandma showed how strong of a woman she really was. She continued to run the house and manage the huge yard all on her own. I will never forget the first time my husband Dan want to Grandma's. He offered to cut the lawn for her but he didn't realize what he was getting himself into. Grandma directed him into the garage where he found an extension cord that was at least 300 feet long and that weighed a ton. Of course, Grandma was still using an electric lawn mower to cut her huge lot. After cutting the lawn, Dan was amazed that a petite 5 foot woman could carry all that extension cord. I just said, "That's my grandma."

Grandma continued to live in her own home until December 1998 when she went to live at the care center in Montmartre after having a stroke. Grandma enjoyed living in the home and considered the nurses and other residents her friends. In fact, the only time that everyone can remember Grandma complain was when they decided to serve liver and onions one night for dinner.

It is amazing in this day and age that there could be someone as sweet and un-assuming as my Grandma Ena. Although she may not be remembered for gigantic achievements in the world, there are many things that she has done or said that will continue to make me and others smile.

For example,

-Grandma will forever be known in Wolseley for keeping the aprons at IGA clean. Every Tuesday, without fail, Grandma went downtown to pick up the aprons. Every Thursday, she took them back, each apron sparking clean.

-As many businessmen around town will attest to, Grandma washed, starched and ironed more shirts than anyone around.

-Grandma loved when her grandchildren came to visit. Before we arrived, the following things had to be in order - scotch mints in the glass container in the living room, a jello cheesecake made and chilling in the freezer, Trident gum in the cupborad, and of course, the best gingersnaps in the cookie jar.

- Grandma was an excellent cook - as my Dad will swear until the end of tme, she made the best roast chicken - ever!

-Grandma loved to play cards or games. A visit was never complete without a game of rummy or Yahtzee.

-Grandma loved bingo. Whether it was the local TV bingo or bingo downstairs of the town hall, Grandma was there. Later on her granddaughter Annette took her to bingo spots all over the place.

- Grandma was smarter than the rest of us. Instead of waiting until the heat of the day took hold to do her yard work, she got up at 5:00 a.m. to beat the heat. As others were just getting up to go to work, Grandma had already finished her chores for the day.

- Grandma's yard was very manicured. It was well known amoung the neighbors that stray leaves dare not enter her yard since they would be picked up almost immediately.

-Until the day of her stroke, one of Grandma's biggest pride and joys was her garden. She particularly loved her flowers; you could see her garden of tulips half a block away in the spring.

O course, the testament of Grandma's life will continue to live on in so many ways. With 10 grandchildren and 10 more great grandchildren, my Grandma Ena's memory will never be forgotten. And while Grandma wasn't eager to leave all of us, in the end, in her un-assuming way, she probably just smiled and thought, "Isn't that a corker?" and, "I guess they will have to get along without me now." But we know, Grandma, that you will never, ever leave us. You'll always be in our hearts.

*******

Ena was predeceased by her husband, Joe in 1983; a grandson, Todd Pow in 1971; and a sister, Margaret Gilbert in 1991 and is survived by her children: Joe (Eleanor); Sylvia (Ed) Matusko; Ed (Audrey); and Evelyn (Dwayne) Pow, all of Regina; ten grandchildren; ten great grandchildren; and one sister, Marie Van de Velde, Regina; as well as several nieces and nephews.

The funeral arrangements were entrusted to Michael Rey of Tubman Cremation and Funeral Services. Wolseley, Saskatchewan, Canada.