Theresa Helen Pisak

Theresa Helen Pisak was born on the family farm in the Kaposvar District on August 8, 1924, to Joseph and Mary (Stadler) Sikora. She was the second of eleven children, two of whom died as infants. At the time of her birth, her parents and older brother lived in a granary because of their home having been destroyed by a fire.  Theresa learnt the value of family and hard work at a young age.  She attended St. Istvan School in the Kaposvar District.  When she first started school, she and her family could not speak any English; instead, they spoke Hungarian in the home.  At school, she learned to speak English and then helped teach the rest of the family the language.  She left her schooling after completing grade seven to help on the family farm and look after her younger siblings. Besides helping with the work on the family farm, Theresa also would help neighbouring families at harvest time or when new babies were born.  She was an active member of the Kaposvar Youth group and church community.

On November 28, 1944, Theresa married Julius Pisak, the son of a neighbouring family. They were married for 52 years until Julius's passing in 1996.  When they were first married, they moved in with Julius's parents and lived together with them until his parents retired and moved into Esterhazy.  They raised twelve children on the Pisak family farm, teaching the children the value of working hard for what is needed.  They farmed the land together and grew their own vegetables, raised chickens, pigs, and livestock to feed the family. When there was excess, they sold it to purchase necessities.  The farm was their only means of work and, at times, it was tough to make ends meet, but they made sure the family never went without what they required.

Even with twelve children of their own, every summer the house was filled with nieces and nephews who would come for extended visits. Theresa always enjoyed having them around and sharing the farm way of life with them.  She always found time to visit with the neighbours and enjoy a card game or two.  She loved to take road trips, and most winters she would either take the train or bus and go visit her children in Alberta.  In later years, she enjoyed going on day trips with Dennis, who drove truck for his job.  Her last major trip was in 2015 when, at the age of 91, she went by train to Alberta to visit her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and new great-great grandchildren.

Theresa had a genuine love for gardening and grew a gigantic garden every year.  Her flower gardens were her passion. There were flowers of various varieties growing everywhere around the yard.  

Theresa and Julius remained living on the family farm until illness made it impossible for Julius to live there.  In 1992, they purchased and moved into a home in Esterhazy. The gardening continued with an abundance of vegetables for herself, her children, grandchildren, when they came for visits, and for friends and neighbours.  Theresa's yard was known for the beautiful flowers, especially her favourite, the lily. For many years, the lilies from her garden were used to adorn the church every summer. Theresa continued to live in her own home and gardened until the age of 93, when failing health made it impossible for her to be on her own.  After an extended hospital stay, she moved into Westhaven Manor in Langenburg for six months, then moved to Aspen Bluffs Villa in Yorkton for two years, until failing health made it necessary for her to go into Long-Term care at the Esterhazy Care Home. She continued to live there until her passing. 

Theresa was predeceased by her husband Julius; grandson Dean Medwid; great-grandson Lorne Nechvatal-McGillvary; son-in-laws Donald Medwid and Jerome Pomieto; parents Joseph and Mary Sikora; parents-in-laws Julius and Anne Pisak; brothers Stanley (in infancy), Joseph and Adolph, sisters Bertha Bridgette (in infancy), Grace Lamontagne and Dorothy Morin and Bertha Kristoff; and many brothers- and sisters-in-laws.

She leaves to mourn her passing her children Beatrice (Robert) Nechvatal, Dennis (Martha), Diana Medwid, Geraldine LeBlanc, Betty-Ann Pomieto, Larry (Mary-Lou), Michael (Karen), Bernadette (Bruce) Berglund, Anita (David) Banow, Anthony (Marcene), Vincent (Karen), Catherine (Richard) Mosiuk; 32 grandchildren; 61 great-grandchildren and 10 great-great grandchildren; brother Wilfred Sikora; sisters Hilda Hozjan and Christina McKay; brothers and sisters-in-law; and numerous nieces and nephews.

We will cherish and keep you forever in our hearts. We love you, Mom. You will be dearly missed.

Theresa's family would like to thank all for attending.