Stella Ann Plonka Kopec

Stella Ann Kopec was born in Bielska Biela, Poland to Karol & Anna Plonka on July 6th, 1922. Grandma was the eldest of eight children. Grandma immigrated to Canada when she was 7 years old along with her parents and brother Cles.

Grandma met the love of her life when she worked for him looking after his two young daughters-Virginia and Lorraine. Grandpa soon realized that Grandma was not just only a nanny, she was a very special lady and wanted her to be his wife. This day began when she told Grandpa that she was going to hop on a train and head to Ontario to find a job. That is when he asked her to marry him.

Grandpa & Grandma were married on July 20th, 1949 at the Weyburn Court House. On November 18th, 1950, they welcomed their first child, a son, James Edward Kopec. Four years later, a daughter was born on December 28, 1954- Cheryl Ann Kopec. A third child, a daughter Peggy (Margaret Mary) Kopec was born on January 24, 1959. Grandma & Grandpa raised their five children on a homestead near Cedoux.

Grandma & Grandpa moved to Weyburn in 1975 where they were the caretakers for an apartment which they lived in. Before they moved into Weyburn Grandma got a job at the Weyburn Special Care Home where she started out in laundry part time and then moved on to fulltime working in the kitchen.

Grandma had a love for gardening. She loved her flowers specifically pansies. She was an avid crocheter, knitter and loved doing petty point pictures. She loved making afghans for all her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Her favorite color was purple. Grandma was dedicated friend and card player. She also had a love for bingo. Another thing that Grandma was famous for was her perogies and her grasshopper pie. Christmas will just not be the same without her perogies and grasshopper pie. Grandma loved playing Sequence and was a fierce competitor. You would all be amazed what she was capable of saying.

One last thing I want to mention is the wooden blocks Grandma had. As kids we couldn’t wait to get over to her house to play with these blocks. There was a fight to see who could get to them first. As we got older and started having kids of our own it was her great grandchildren that would now play with them. She loved to watch the kids and how much joy the kids got out of playing with them.

Grandma died on May 31, 2011. She was 88 years old. Her sister Janice died on this very same day 16 years ago. May 31, 1995.

Grandma is survived by her 5 children and spouses, Jim (Danna) Kopec of Weyburn, SK, Cheryl (Victor) Vogel of Weyburn, SK, Peggy (Larry) Clark of Murphy Lake, SK, Virginia Beaubier of Saskatoon, SK and Lorraine Law of Whiterock, BC; her 14 grandchildren, Dan (Candace) Kopec, Kari (Keith) Hall, Roxanne (Travis) Lund, Jolene (Jory) Ashworth, John (Lindsey) Vogel, Nathan Vogel, Cory (Lindsay) Clark, Troy (Tierra) Clark, Jay (Alex) Clark, Chuck Boyd, Jeff Boyd, Michelle Wingert, Todd (Lim) Law and Sandy Bosma; 25 great grandchildren, Cooper and Sawyer Kopec, Elle, Lola and Hudson Hall, Austin, Axel and Alex Lund, Jorja, Jagger and Jacek Ashworth, John, Jack, Nelleke and Jed Vogel, Sawyer Clark, Kowen, Meegan and Heaton Clark, Connor Boyd, Evva and Adam Law, Chelsey, Eliza and Matthew Greenberg; brothers, Matt (Betty) Plonka of Regina, SK, Emil Plonka of Weyburn, SK and sister, and Rose (Leo) Kopec of Weyburn, SK as well as numerous nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Grandma’s beautiful smile will be greatly missed by all. Grandma will always be with us in our hearts, with many fond memories of her generosity, kindness and love for all.

Until we meet again Grandma, love you.

A Funeral Mass was held on Friday, June 3, 2011 at 10:00 A.M. from the St. Vincent de Paul Roman Catholic Church, Weyburn, Saskatchewan with Father Gerry Bauche celebrating. Interment followed in Green Acres Memorial Gardens, Weyburn, Saskatchewan. Pallbearers were John Vogel, Nathan Vogel, Dan Kopec, Cory Clark, Troy Clark, Jay Clark. Prayers were said Thursday, June 2, 2011 at 7:00 PM from St. Vincent de Paul Roman Catholic Church, Weyburn, Saskatchewan.

Donation may be made in memory of Stella to St. Vincent de Paul Roman Catholic Church, Weyburn, SK.