Steffi’s beautiful spirit was mirrored in the gorgeous gardens she created. She was pleased with the awards she won, but they were secondary to the peace and pleasure she found in nature. She had a big, loving heart that was inclusive of animals, birds, plants, and people. Yet beneath her warm and gentle manner was a strong, courageous woman.
Born into the war-torn country that was communist Jugoslavia, she knew real poverty and suffering. Her mother died from tuberculosis when Steffi was 14 years old. She had no choice but to leave school and care for her siblings and father. Yet she matured into a lovely, thoughtful young woman.
Steffi was a descendant of European farmers who had endured many hardships and survived in spite of them. She was no stranger to back-breaking work from an early age. But rather than being defeated, she nurtured a secret unshakable dream - to live a free, happy life in America.
At the age of 18 she escaped with a factory co-worker, Zvonko, who would become her husband. After a dangerous trek into Austria and many challenges, the couple ended up in Moose Jaw, Sask., Canada, with no money or knowledge of English. Fortunately, it had been arranged for Steffi to work as a maid for a doctor and his wife, immediately upon her arrival.
Zvonko (who was called “Joe”) had carpentry skills that brought him jobs and the two started their Canadian life together. It wasn’t easy, with a new baby girl, Jennie, and very little money, but their determination to live a secure, free life, kept them going.
Side by side, they built a home for themselves and suddenly discovered a demand for their services - to build houses for others. Kos Construction was created and a team of workers came together. Everyone worked hard and on weekends they were invited to Steffi & Joe’s modest home, to dance and party. There was socializing with new friends and happy weddings to attend.
Steffi was a devoted mother and a tireless worker. Aside from participating in the planning, building, and decoration of each new home, she cooked meals, sewed clothes, and grew a vegetable garden. Then when Jennie was five, her brother, Bobby, was born.
A few years later, Joe was able to bring his father over to visit Canada and a sweet bond was built between grandpa and grandson.
Steffi had longed to see the world and that dream began to come true. Finally, after years of saving and planning, the couple was able to have a honeymoon. Hawaii here we come!
Her first trip with Joe, to Oahu, Hawaii in 1959, was a magical experience. Steffi was in awe at the beauty and romance of the island, which she later passed on to the kids through exotic gifts and stories.
Excited to introduce Jennie and Bob to their homeland and see beloved friends and family, they were now able to afford a trip back to Croatia. It was a joyous time for Steffi, with full days of laughter, swimming, eating, and drinking together.
Relatives from both sides of the family were reunited, as were Bob and his grandfather. Stories and adventures were shared - there was a lot of catching up to do!
Steffi was a kind, straight-forward person who genuinely understood and cared for others. Her family and friends loved their time with her, just as she cherished her moments with them. That trip was one of her happiest memories.
She especially loved being with her “little sister” Katica again. Today, in her eighties, Katica is going strong, and celebrates birthdays with her lovely family of children and grandchildren.
Back in Canada once more, Steffi and Joe’s life continued to bloom.
Steffi’s step-brother, Vlado, immigrated to Canada when he was 21, joining them in Moose Jaw. Later he met and fell in love with his beloved, Bonnie, and they were happily married. Bob graduated from high school while Jennie (Kala) was away travelling the world as a Flight Attendant with Air Canada.
Now the couple took time for their own trips, experiencing the history and culture of fabulous cities. Steffi was a relaxed and confident traveler. Finally, she was able to see first-hand the many things she had read about in books.
From Joe’s first marriage, Steffi had two step-sons, Ivan and Steve, who she loved and respected. As young men they immigrated to Canada and worked hard to make a successful life for themselves, settling in Edmonton, Alberta.
Jennie and Bobby did their best to connect with and understand their older step-brothers - which was quite a task at first - because neither of them spoke Croatian since they were children.
Ivan fell in love with his future wife, Joanne, a beautiful and spirited Ukrainian girl. Within a few years there were four grandchildren added to the family: Krasna, Vesna, Brani and Tiki. Since Steffi and Joe had moved away from the prairies of Moose Jaw and into British Columbia, it was there that the family came together to go camping.
This was a different kind of adventure! Steffi and Joe drove their trusty orange Volkswagen Bus, that accompanied them as a mobile home when they travelled to Europe, becoming their sturdy camper at home.
Steffi found great joy and satisfaction in those sweet experiences with the four kids in nature. They also had fun being with their “Baka Steffi”.
But time passes…and the kids grew out of the camping stage.
Life was moving into a new phase that would bring some heart-ache and challenges. In 1998, Steffi lost her husband, Zvonko, to cancer, leaving her alone with her son, Bobby. But in the background there was always loving support.
Two years later, Bobby, who had suffered with an ongoing illness for years, was required to undergo a serious surgery. The outcome was unsure and it was a scary time. When Bob pulled through, there was great rejoicing in the family!
Shortly after Bob’s operation, Steffi was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Kala, moved from Hawaii to White Rock, BC, to care for her precious family. At the same time, her best friend, Lynette, with her two daughters, Laura and Sarah, moved from eastern Canada to join her. They fell in love with Steffi and Bob, and vise-versa. Eventually they became part of the family’s 24-hour care team.
There was lots of love shared and many special moments enjoyed as the holidays and birthdays came and went.
Bobby and Steffi courageously chose to kick up their heels and go on a cruise from Vancouver to Hawaii. Steffi returned once again to the land she loved during her honeymoon so many decades before!
In February of 2009, Bobby passed away at age 49. Steffi’s advancing illness buffered the loss, as she was unable to remember things. However, she was continuously surrounded by love and cared for with great compassion and respect.
Kala, Lynette and the girls provided her the ongoing support, stability, and security that she required. Whatever Steffi enjoyed - animals, music, dancing, friends - was encouraged in the mix of every-day life. Kala made sure she was cared for in her own home, as long as possible, until it was not wise to do so anymore.
On August 22, 2019, at the age of 86, Steffi passed away peacefully, with Kala’s hand on her heart, in Evergreen Care Home.
Today Kala carries on her mother’s legacy of a deep love for Hawaii, where she lives on Oahu with her husband, Mark.
Steffi touched many lives with the sweetness and beauty of her Spirit.
She is forever loved and remembered.
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