It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Margaret Slusarczyk, beloved wife, mother, sister and grandmother.
Margaret died September 12th, 2018 at the Lake of the Woods District Hospital at the age of 82, with her husband and loving family by her side. She was preceded in death by her parents Irene and Arnold Dokken, brother Floyd Dokken and granddaughter Taylor Stajkowski. She was also predeceased by her inlaws: John and Victoria Slusarczyk, Eddy, Ted and Fred Slusarczyk, Emily Theisen, Jean Yeske, Chuck Taylor and Rod Grunge and by a nephew Timothy Taylor.
Margaret Elaine Dokken was born in Winnipeg on February 28th, 1936 and grew up in Piney Manitoba on a farm with her family. After graduating, she taught school in Vasaar, a neighbouring town and this is where she met Emil Slusarczyk, her future husband. They were married a year later on July 10th, 1954 and started their life together. The early years were tough but Margaret was resourceful and knew how to make a good life, a lesson she learned from her own mother. Their lives were further brightened by the arrival of children, a son Shane, followed by two daughters, Bonnie and Cory. A few years later, they moved to Kenora, Ontario and made a home there.
Margaret accepted a job at Robinson’s Department Store once the children were older and later at the Lakewood Credit Union. At Robinson’s, she worked in the fabric section, helping customers to find the right pattern and fabric. A highly skilled seamstress herself, she was a great asset to anyone who came for assistance. She sewed all her children’s clothing, and could refashion an adult garment into one for a child, to re-purpose something of hers that was outdated into something beautiful and use fabric that was still lovely. She was already employing the “Three R’s” long before anyone knew what that was.
Always a hard worker, mom loved her time in the garden and outdoors. She grew vegetables, shrubs, trees, flowers and even a grape vine which produced the tastiest grape jelly that we had ever had. Summers were spent in the garden, camping, fishing, boating and picking blueberries. She loved picking berries and would pick enough to make pies and blueberry jam-the delight of her grandchildren.
Margaret loved to go fishing and always caught something, she was a bit pleased if she had caught more than Emil, being just a wee bit competitive. She also loved to dance with Emil and they would glide across the floor during a waltz or spin around the floor whilst dancing a polka. Emil said she floated when he danced with her, as she was so light on her feet.
She wasn’t afraid to try new recipes or new foods-generally there wasn’t much that she would not eat. Her three children grew up with homemade buns, soups, pickles, jams and her husband got his share of the Polish food that she had learned to cook for him. She was a wonderful mother to her children, providing help with homework and emotional support when needed, she was their rock. Margaret had a feisty side too, if things weren’t going well and she was getting tired, but she was always an optimist.
The biggest adventure embarked on was the move to the log house that Emil built, fondly referred to as “the farm.” Margaret settled into a farm life that was “off the grid.” Power came from a generator, windmill, batteries and later solar energy. The raising of cattle, chickens and a turkey, with a huge garden and acres of property to maintain became Margaret’s new life with Emil and they thrived out there. Many lasting friendships were forged with neighbours, who became like family to them, in particular Cindy Burch and daughter Kimberly Henley, who became like a granddaughter to her. On Sundays, there was always an open invitation to come for supper at the farm, especially if out of town relatives were here for a visit. A big dinner was prepared for all of the holidays and there were only 9 or 10 Christmases that were not hosted by Margaret in the 64 years she and Emil were married. All were welcome! She was known for her hospitality and generous spirit, always a lady.
Margaret is survived by her husband Emil of 64 years and three children: Shane (Liz) Slusarczyk and their three sons Cameron (Danielle) Slusarczyk, Christopher (Alexandra) Wilson, Zachary Slusarczyk and also Sandy Graham; Bonnie (Doug) Boucha and children Ryan (Kate) Boucha and Amanda (Neil) Boucha; Cory (Mark) Stajkowski and children Ashley (Mike) Partridge, Judd (Ashley) Robertson and Dustin (Randie) Robertson.
Also surviving are Margaret’s sisters and their families: Iris (Walter) Harrison; Norma Taylor-Runge; and Pat (Ed) Zadworney as well as sisters-in-law Carol Dokken, Irene Frderickson, Janet Desjarlais, Marg Hamilton-Dokken and Aunty Phyllis Warner. Margaret is survived by several nieces and nephews and their families, dearly loved by her, but too numerous to mention.
Margaret was highly creative and combined this gift with her sewing skills to create beautiful quilts. When great grandchildren were going to be added to the sparkle of a glistening family tree, she would start working on a quilt as a baby present. The great grandchildren, the recipients of the quilts, who kept “gwamma gweat” on her toes and warmed her heart were as follows: Noah, Shelbea, Lyric, Walker, Hunter, Brocklen, Cameron, Spencer, Holly, Dash and Leighton. Family was very important to her, she babysat, rocked her grandchildren to sleep and when they had children, they came to the farm for dinner and she became a part of their lives too. All were touched by her grace and kind spirit.
A Celebration of life will be held at Lakeside Baptist Church 101 Transmitter Road, Kenora, Ontario on Friday September 21st, 2018 at 1:00 pm with Pastor David Boyle officiating.
Online condolences can be made at www.brownfuneralhomekenora.com
BROWN FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION CENTRE ENTRUSTED WITH ARRANGEMENTS.
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