Anne Theresa (Kiselica) Bednar

Anne’s earthly journey ended peacefully on the evening of February 13 when God called her home. Love surrounded her all week as family members made their last visits. We are saddened by her loss but relieved that her pain and suffering are over.

Anne was born on her mother’s birthday on April 28, 1926 in the village of Bobot in Czechoslovakia to Joseph and Maria Kiselica. In 1929, her father came to Canada to seek his fortune and establish a home for his family. Mom, her sister Josie and their mother remained in Slovakia, living with the grandparents for another 8 years. In 1937, Mom immigrated to Canada along with her mother and sister. Her sea sickness on the ocean voyage deterred any future thoughts of ever sailing again. Arriving in Montreal, they travelled by train to Alberta where her father had bought a farm near Thorhild. The dirt road ended at the farm and the 3 of them thought they had arrived at the end of the world. Mom and her sister loved life in Canada on the farm, but their Mother longed to go back. But that was not to be, as war broke out in 1938. In 1945, after visiting relatives who had settled in Manitoba, her father bought a farm in Dufresne. That interrupted her Grade 12 year but she went to Lorette to live in the dormitory and complete her grade With Honours. That summer, she went to Winnipeg to go to Normal School to become a teacher. She was posted to a remote little one room school house at McMunn. One year was enough to make her reconsider her career plan and go to Success Commercial College to become a secretary. Mom worked as a secretary for Dyson’s Pickling Company and Ryan Brothers Limited.

In 1949 Mom and Dad started dating and married on June 23, 1951. In 1952, they welcomed their first daughter, Lucille, and in 1958 they were blessed with the arrival of Emily. They made their home in Winnipeg, where Louis was a butcher. They also maintained a 180 acre grain farm at Dufresne. With the arrival of her babies, she became a devoted stay at home mom – creating a beautiful home, cooking, baking, sewing, and gardening for her family. In 1956, they bought their first house on Inkster Blvd and in 1960 they bought their home in Windsor Park. This was where they established their family and social life. The Parish of St. Bernadette became the center of their spiritual and social life. Mom was an active member of the CWL, taught catechism and volunteered in many capacities in the church community. In 1968, they took the plunge and bought a store on Portage Ave. Mom enjoyed going to help Dad at Pennywise Meats whenever she was needed. Even though the store was in Westwood, they maintained their ties to the east side of town and bought a new home in Southdale in 1978. Here they welcomed their first grandchild, Laura, in 1978 and established Grandma’s and Grandpa’s house for their 6 grandchildren. This was a place where we all gathered with regularity on Sundays and holidays for many years. All the grandkids loved going to Grandma’s and they have many fond memories. A favorite was that when Grandma spoke that funny language, it meant Grandpa was getting a scolding.

Sadly, by 2010, it was evident that Mom was in the early stages of dementia. In 2012, they made the move to the Canoe Club Senior’s Residence where they lived independently until 2016, when failing health forced them to go into care. By January of 2017 they were both in care at Oakview Place on Ness Avenue where they have received kind and loving care.

Anne is survived by her loving husband Louis; daughters Lucille (Ted Williams) and Emily (Allan Bedard); grandchildren Laura (Joe Barkman), Steven (Ainsley Price), Mark (Analee Baldazo), Scott, Kim (Scott Kuz) and Melissa (Eric Vallance); great-grandchildren Mackenzie, Addison, Zara, Kellan, and Chloe. Anne is also survived by her sister Josephine Bednar.

Pall bearers will be: Steven Williams, Mark Williams, Scott Bedard, Joe Barkman, Scott Kuz, and Eric Vallance.

Funeral mass will be celebrated at St. Bernadette Parish, 820 Cottonwood Road on February 20, 2019. Viewing from 10:00 AM to 10:45 AM, funeral service at 11:00 AM with Fr. Phil Daley officiating.

Immediately following the service, a lunch will be served at Green Acres, followed by interment at Green Acres Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, we would suggest a donation to the Alzheimer's Society in memory of Anne.