Florence Witzaney passed away on June 30, 2024 in Unity, SK. Flo’s life was built on the values of faith, family, and hard work. She always wanted to do her best, and later in life, she always wanted to look her best too! She was born Florence Magdelina Koble to Gabriel and Elizabeth (Schwab) Koble in Kerrobert and grew up on a farm just north of Broadacres, where she was raised with three brothers Amand, Frank and Andy. She left home early to attend the Convent in Rosetown where she worked her way through school alongside her best friend Madge Doshen. She then attended Teachers College in Saskatoon, and this led to her taking a teaching position at Le Sueur School, just down the hill from the Witzaney homestead.

Joe was hired to maintain the school and keep it heated in the winter. Pretty soon, it wasn’t just the fire in the schoolhouse stove that he was tending. With the help of George Wiesner, they purchased a half section of land a few miles away where he and mom made their start in farming and raising a family of seven children. Here mom honed her exceptional skills of cooking and baking; her pie crusts, pizzelles, and “granny buns” were outstanding. It would be an understatement to say that mom persevered through adversity in her life; there really were not many excuses from her, instead she just looked forward, and leaned into whatever task, whatever challenge she faced. If she was hard on Joe, or her children, it was only because she saw us as part of her team, and if she was anything, she was a leader bent on willing us forward through prayer and hard work. Later in life, she gracefully transitioned to becoming more of a cheerleader, but the same strength and perseverance pervaded everything she did. In her last days of palliative care, with her mind still reasonably sharp she returned to form and marshalled the children and in-laws who had gathered to care for her and spend some last precious moments with her; she was truly in charge until the very end. Most of Florence’s life was dedicated to the farm and her family, but when she finally had time for herself in Palm Springs, mom discovered that she was an excellent full-court outdoor shuffleboard player. Not only did she build a large collection of trophies as a tournament or league champion, but she became a California District Champion. Along with Joe, she also developed a love for the Blue Jays. They went to see them play in Toronto and mom even watched her last game just days before she passed.

Mom was very staunch and devoted in her faith. To understand her faith, you need to appreciate how it was that going away from home to the convent in Rosetown allowed mom to complete her high school and eventually become a teacher. The Sisters in Rosetown had offered mom an opportunity to leave behind the difficult life she had on the farm, and so it probably wasn’t hard for her to trust God that he would allow her to transcend this earthly life too, when her time finally came to go home. To listen to Mom speak about her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, you might think we were a bunch of stars…, but as we have had time to reflect on her life and her passing, it may be more accurate to say that we were a collection of moons, a reflection of something greater. We are all left with many memories of Florence, and we have a large hole in our lives created by the impression that she left on us all. However, mom also set the standard that, with God’s grace, we try to live up to each and every day. May God welcome you home Mom; we will miss you, but you live on in our family, and whatever good we do. 

Florence is lovingly remembered by her children, Celine (Bryan) Morberg and family, Fr. Travis Myrheim, Trinette (Jason) Targett and their children Leo & Lily, Tarena (Matt) Jones and their children Caleb, Kieran, Logan, Isla, Taleah Myrheim, Christine (Paul) Pidhirnay; Adele (Al) Caton and family, Chelsea (Joe Kjeldson )and their children Jayme, Chase, Calia, Kyle Caton and children Avery Blakely, Hevyn Barrett; Mark (Marianne) Witzaney and family, Rebecca (Clay) Loehndorf and children Jackson, Karston, Kaydence, and Rachelle Witzaney; Colette (Brian) Lewin and family Jessica (Vern) Schultz and their children Brayden and Paige, Jarrett (Sheena) Lewin and their children Cooper, Casey and Cutter, Josh Lewin, Jacelle Lewin (Billy Joe Manson);Maynard (Lynn) Witzaney; Cliff (Debra) Witzaney and family, Eric, Melissa (Cody Reeves) and Bradley (Riva Kessel); Darren (Regena) Witzaney and family, Emily, Joey and Brendan. She is also survived by sisters-in-law Agnes Richelhoff, Marianne Koble, Mary Witzaney and Barbara Witzaney; and many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her husband Joe in 2015, after 64 years of marriage, and her parents Gabriel and Elizabeth (nee Schwab) Koble.

 A Funeral Service for Florence will be held on Saturday, July 6, 2024 at 10:30AM at St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church in Unity, SK. Tributes may be directed to the Luther Place Recreation Fund or the Hospital Palliative Care Fund.

Cards may be directed to Colette Lewin: Box 1136, Unity, SK, S0K 4L0.

Those unable to attend may view the livestream at: https://www.facebook.com/gregory.roth.35