Obituary of Leona Mary Collins

Leona Collins 1931-2013 Leona Mary (nee Lukan) was born on August 13, 1931 on the family farm near Fulda, Saskatchewan. She is survived by her loving husband of 63 years John Collins, her children Lucille (Bob) Izsak & children; John, Lee and Faye; Ann (Paul) Simmans; Susan (Don) Peddie; Jerome (Tracy) & children Jamie-Lynn, Scott and Arianne; Len (Sharon) & children Christopher, Jennifer and Hailey; David (Brenda) & children Breanna and Jon; Ernest (Lori) & children Meaghan and Logan; Eugene (Chris) & children Jessica and Carter; Ron (Joe); Doreen (Roger) Couture & children Alysha, Kyle and Brett and also 14 great grand-children. She grew up in a family of four brothers and one sister and is survived by three brothers and one sister; Leonard (Margaret) Lukan; Marcel (Dorothy) Lukan; Erwin (Marguerite) Lukan; Agnes (Frank) Zunti and all their children. She was predeceased by her parents Henry and Mary Lukan; her mother and father-in-law Esther and Tom Collins; brother Bernard Lukan, sister Anna Lukan; her brothers-in-law Lawrence Collins, William (Billie) Collins, Hubert (Buddy) Collins and son-in-law Marvin Buller. Mom attended Canvasback school near Pilger, Saskatchewan from Grades 1 to 7. In 1945 the family moved to Mattes, Saskatchewan where she completed her schooling at Winslow Lake School. Upon completing school she was employed at the Mattes General Store and also worked for several senior ladies in the area. In December 1948 she met Dad at a Christmas Concert in Polworth, Saskatchewan and they married in 1950. Mom and Dad farmed and raised 10 children; they retired to Debden and remained active in church and community events. Mom never missed grandchildren’s concerts, ball games, hockey games or just a family get together. Mom always felt and taught each of her children the strength of family. She lived her life quietly, but firmly believed in her faith, in her family and in her cherished role as a farmer’s wife and mother. Mom especially enjoyed sewing, singing in the church choir, reading, milking cows, berry picking and riding in the combine with her sons and grandson Brett. She loved the farming life and especially the fall when she was busy canning, freezing and feeding the harvesting crews with ‘field meals’. Mom suffered a debilitating fall in March and through her incredible strength and enduring character, she remained a faithful servant to God. She inevitably would have her rosary wrapped around her beautiful hands in prayer hour upon hour to the end. Her last days were spent at Shellbrook Integrated Health Centre surrounded by the incredible caring staff that treated her like family. Her husband John, and her children and extended family were with her in her final days and hours. We enjoyed many hours of reminiscing, ‘remember when’ stories and singing her favourite hymns. When Mom passed on to her eternal happiness with her Heavenly Father she was surrounded by her loved ones in prayer. The family would like to thank Father Sebastion for giving Mom the sacrament of the Last Rites and also Father Tru Lee and Mr. Albert Hanigan for being there at the time of Mom’s passing and making this a most memorable day for her final journey. Godspeed Mom, we love you. A Prayer Service for Leona will be held on Monday, August 19, 2013 at 7:30 p.m. at the Notre Dame des Victoire Roman Catholic Church, Victoire, SK. The Mass of Christian Burial for Leona will take place on August 20, 2013 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Jean Baptiste Roman Catholic Church, Debden, SK with Reverend Father Sebastian Kunnath and Reverend Father Tru Lee co- celebrating. Interment will be held at Victoire Cemetery. In lieu of tributes, donations may be made in memory of Leona to the Victoire Cemetery Fund. Family and friends wishing to send online condolences may do so by visiting www.beaulacfuneralhome.com Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Beau”lac” Funeral Home, MarianneTurcotte, Funeral Director, Shellbrook (306-747-2828).