KATIE CATHERINE (ZBEESHKO) SAGON

It is with heavy hearts that we say goodbye to our mother, grandmother and great grandmother Katie Catherine Sagon.

Katie Sagon (nee Zbeeshko) was born on April 22, 1931, to George and Marie Zbeeshko in the Louvain District.  She was born on the home quarter SW-23-27-13 W3rd with the local midwife, Mrs. Dolanski, assisting with her birth. She was George and Marie’s fourth child, and the couple’s family eventually grew to seven children including Annie (Satz), Steve, Bill, Katie, Nettie (Wiebel), Nick and Elmer. 

With the onset of the dirty thirties, the family’s early years were characterized by all the social and economic struggles of the Great Depression. In 1937, Katie began her elementary education at Louvain School. Eight years later, in 1945, her parents moved to a farm in the Avalon District with Katie completing her education at Avalon School.

In 1947, Katie’s parents’ retirement plans took them to Malakwa, BC, where the family purchased an acreage complete with fruit trees. Katie, Nettie and Nick moved with their parents to BC, while Steve and Bill stayed on the family farm.  While in BC, Katie and Nettie worked at various jobs, spending a stint in Revelstoke where their pay was $1.00/hour (which was generous for the times).

Katie and Nettie eventually returned to Saskatchewan to visit their brothers, and while here, Katie met a dashing young courter who stole her heart – Victor Sagon.  They were married on May 28, 1950.  Soon after, their first child Pat was born in January of 1951, followed by their second child, Ted, in November of the same year.  They lived and farmed in the Gagenville District and suffered through low wheat prices of ~$1.26 bushel (depending on the grade and quota). As was common for the times, Katie raised chickens, pigs, milked cows, and grew a large garden to help support her family. 

In 1956, when the time came for Pat and Ted to attend school, Katie and Victor moved the family to a farm east of Biggar (today the location is part of the Bigger Malt Plant site).  Katie and Victor had their third child Barry in 1959, followed by Bernadette in 1961.  Being close to the town of Biggar allowed Katie the opportunity to work off the farm.  She had various jobs in Biggar over 25 years, including working at Macleods, Ok Economy, Dehmke’s Red & White and McCreas.

Katie and Victor moved to their present yard site in 1973. Katie was always known for her delicious home-made meals complete with perogies and cabbage rolls, and this talent fed her entrepreneurial spirit and in 1980 she had her first catering job – the Valentine’s Day Dine and Dance sponsored by the Biggar Stock Car Club. It wasn’t long before her business took off and Katie was a regular around town catering for many CNR retirement banquets, associated Gospel Church suppers, weddings, reunions, fundraisers, anniversaries and graduations. Katie prepared every dish herself and although everyone had their favorite, she was most known for her perogies, cabbage rolls, lemon pie, saskatoon berry pie, and strawberry shortcake. 

Katie and Victor were blessed with 12 grandchildren beginning in 1976, with the last born in 1993. With all four of their children living in close proximity to Biggar, Katie was always actively involved with all of her grandchildren. She would attend sporting events, birthday parties, and often had one (or more) over for weekend sleepovers.

Through the years, many immediate and extended family members, as well as friends, helped Katie cater the day of an event.  And when the grandchildren were old enough, many helped as well – carrying in large heavy roasters, mashing potatoes, setting up, serving, and cleaning afterward.  And as each grandchild graduated from high school, Katie was insistent that she cater every single high school graduation of her 12 grandchildren. Katie continued to cater, as well as prepare custom orders of perogies and cabbage rolls, until she was 87 years of age!  The Christmas holidays were always her busiest time, and she would often work all hours of the day and night to fill her orders. Katie would often boast about the day she made 120 dozen perogies working that day and half the night.

Over the last 14 years, Katie was enamored with her 22 great-grandchildren and was smitten when the grandchildren would stop in for tea or call and say they were coming for supper. She could even remember all her great-grandchildren’s names (most of the time!).

Despite her health challenges, Katie remained in her home until age 89. In September of 2020 the Biggar and District Long Term Care Facility became her new home. The last eight months were difficult as her health continued to deteriorate, and COVID-19 restrictions would not allow her to see her extended family. As her 90th Birthday was approaching, she had only one wish – and that was to see all her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Katie’s 90th Birthday Wish was granted, and her heart was full once again. She passed away peacefully less than 4 weeks after the celebration.

Katie is survived by four children: PAT (Jerry) Kirilenko and children – Clinton (Kara) Kirilenko and family Riley (Susan), Kaylee (Brennan) and Grayson, and – Karla (Roman) Domashovitz and family Davin and Braylin.  TED Sagon and children – Jennifer (Jason) Mundt and family Jeslyn, Eric and Evan, – Steven (Lindsay) Sagon and family Katie, Kylie, Clayton and Cole, and – Mark (Stacey) Sagon and family Georgia and Jayla.  BARRY (Odette) Sagon and children – Blair (Linda) Sagon and family Colton, Karli, and Bracen, – Chris (Sarah) Sagon and family Henry and Jonathan, and  – Theresa Sagon (Ian) and family Navaeh and Brecklan.  BERNADETTE (Greg) Blocha and children – Elan (Curtis) Houben and Ian (Shelby) Blocha.

Katie was predeceased by her husband Victor; parents George and Marie Zbeeshko; grandchildren John Sagon (son of Ted) and Erin Blocha (daughter of Bernadette & Greg); and infant great grandson Conner Sagon (son of Mark & Stacey).

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