Obituary of Sophie Ethel Kraska

Sophie (Jinjoe) Kraska

July 8, 1924 - August 16, 2021

97 Years Old

With sadness in our hearts, our beautiful mother passed away on August 16, 2021 surrounded by her loving family at the Victoria Hospital in Prince Albert.

Mom (born Zofja Dzieciol) was born on July 8, 1924 in Klementynow, Poland. She immigrated to Canada with her family in 1930 at the age of 6, landing at Pier 21 in Halifax, N.S.  On arrival Mom’s given name was changed to Sophie Jinjoe.

The family homesteaded at Prairie River, SK, and Mom often spoke of the difficulties of life growing up, clearing the land, building a sod house, and carving out a new life with her family.

Mom left her family home in 1943 at the age of 19 and went out working on a farm by Prince Albert. From there she went to Olds, Alberta working at a creamery, testing cream and grading eggs. Then in 1946, Mom moved to Steep Creek, Sask to live with her brother Stanley and family.  There, Mom went to a wedding dance and that is where she met our father, Joe.  Mom and Dad were married on January 12, 1947 at St. Mark’s Catholic Church in Prince Albert. They farmed at Steep Creek where their first two children were born, Evelyn and Edwin. Then in 1952, the family moved to Canwood where they purchased a farm and began their hard-working life.  Mom and Dad worked tirelessly farming, milking cows, selling the cream, growing a large garden and canning and preserving the bounty, tending to numerous livestock and living off the land. Two more children arrived, Ben and Joanne, to complete the family. Mom had a gifted talent in sewing numerous clothes for our family, knitting socks and mitts, crocheting beautiful doilies and afghans which she gifted lovingly to all her family.  Mom was an exceptional cook, especially her traditional perogies and cabbage rolls.  We often arrived home from school to freshly baked bread, cinnamon rolls, donuts and many other delights.  Mom’s love of nature often found her picking berries and wild mushrooms and creating amazing dishes with them. 

Through many years of hard work, they were able to enjoy their profits and began travelling and spent 18 winters in Arizona where they enjoyed many new friendships, golfing and touring the countryside. Mom and Dad retired from farming in 1985 and continued their love of fishing and camping with family and friends. They remained living on the farm until 1993 and then moved into the town of Canwood. Dad passed away in 1995, and Mom continued to live successfully on her own enjoying her close friendships, singing in the Community Choir, attending church, and golfing. She especially enjoyed the Senior’s Club where she played cribbage and socializing with many of her good friends.  She enjoyed many bus tours, to the Maritimes and many U.S. destinations. Finally in 2016, because of health issues, with a hard decision and much persuasion we convinced Mom to move to Prince Albert to Riverbreeze Retirement Home. Mom began a new chapter in her life and spent 5 years there, enjoying new friends, and having her care and needs provided for her. She continued keeping herself busy, with reading, crocheting, visits with family and friends right to the end of her life. Mom struggled through much pain in her later years, but we were blessed with her sound mind and her feisty spirit continued to the end. Mom lived her life to the fullest and we as her family will be forever grateful for providing us with a richness of unconditional love that we will carry and cherish forever.

Mom is survived by her loving children: Evelyn (Lorne) Kuchelyma, Edwin (Colleen) Kraska, Ben Kraska, Joanne Kraska (Jim Winterhalt); her grandchildren: Martine (Dave) Pringle, Ryan Kuchelyma, Yasha Vogt, Kimberley Logan and Joshua (Joyce) Kraska; and her great- grandchildren: Sevanna Vogt, Oliver, Abby and Isaiah Kraska, and Sophie Kuchelyma.  She is also survived by her brother, Mike (Val) Jinjoe and her sister, Helen Alcock; as well as numerous niece and nephews.  Mom was predeceased by her parents, Walter and Nellie Jinjoe; her husband Joe; her brothers, Tony, Stanley and Edward Jinjoe and sisters, Stella Kessler and Jean Boyko.

The family would like to thank all those who shared in Mom’s long life especially the community of Canwood. Also, Angie Kopera and kind staff and many friends at Riverbreeze Retirement Home, and the Doctors who cared for Mom. Heartfelt thanks to the nurses and staff on the 5th and 6th floor of the Victoria Hospital for their compassion and care.

A private family graveside service will take place at a later date.  In memory of Mom, donations can be made to Canwood Zion Lutheran Church, Box 358, Canwood, SK, S0J 0K0, or a charity of your choice. Family and friends wishing to send online condolences are welcome to visit www.beaulacfuneralhome.com.  Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Beau “Lac” Funeral Home, Tracy-Lynn Lenchuk, Funeral Director, Prince Albert, SK 306-763-3322.

“A gentle breeze blew cross the land

Reaching out to take a hand

For on the winds the angels came

A soft voice called out your name

On angel’s wings, a heavenly flight

The journey home, toward the light

To those who weep, a life is gone

But in God’s love, tis but the dawn.”