Nellie Kotylak

Nellie was predeceased by her husband of 68 years Andrew Kotylak; daughter Katherine Schmidt; son-in-law Doug Baumgartner; grandsons Tyler Sebastian and John Schmidt; granddaughter Muraya Tucknow-Walbaum; grandson-in-law Kevin Rissling; great-grandson Javy Perras; parents Paul and Angela Englot; father and mother-in-law Philip and Eva Kotylak; siblings: Rudolph Englot, Lucy Gorniak, Lena Karpinski, Peter Englot, Carl Englot, Millie Waldinger, Tony Englot, Joe Englot, Chester Englot, Frank Englot and Julien Englot and in-laws: Mike Gorniak, Joe Karpinski, Audrey Englot, Steve Waldinger, Rene Thibault, Stanley Kotylak, Ron Schmidt, Alexander and Stella Romanow, Peter Kotylak and Anne Kotylak.

Nellie is survived by her children: Stephen Kotylak, Helen (Terry) Baumgartner, MaryAnne (Thomas) Nicholson and Pauline Baumgartner, John (Cheryl) Schmidt (son-in-law), Bernard (Jean) Kotylak, Phyliss (Richard) Bells, Julianne (Ken) Walbaum and Peter (Janet) Kotylak.

Grandchildren: Kirby (Jamie Ash) Kotylak, Tammy Bachelu, Ryan (Kandace Dewey) Kotylak, Kim (Amanda McFarlen) Kotylak; Tina Diana, Cherie (Kenn) Lunam, Delee Baumgartner, Lisa (Bryan) Pepper; Paul (Karin) Nicholson, Sean (Cara) Nicholson; Neal (Krista) Nicholson; Devin Baumgartner; Trina (Jeffrey Demitor) Baumgartner, Connie Baumgartner; Sara (Adrian Arnason) Rissling; Greg Schmidt, Sandra (Shawn) Kerbs, Susan (Cory) Sebastian, Brian (Tracy) Schmidt; Calvin (Andrea) Kotylak, Denis (Leah) Kotylak, Billie-Jo (Miguel) Morrissette; Caz (Jennesa) Sebastian, Britnay (Keegan Jellicoe) Bells; Kendra (Lee Parisien) Walbaum, Jeralee (Reece) Bateman, Justine (Jason) Bien; Marley (Brit Sippola) Kotylak, Riley (Sheree Zoerb) Kotylak, Alanna (Karter Lafontaine) Kotylak; seventy great-grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren.

She is also survived by her siblings: Bernice Thibault, Cecile Kotylak, Lawrence (Carol) Englot, Caroline Schmidt, Pauline (Frank) Clements and Stefanie (Wayne) Flaman; sisters-in-law: Velma Englot, Anne Englot, Norma Englot, Shirley Englot, Gladys Englot and Margaret Englot and numerous nieces and nephews.

Nellie was born December 25, 1932, on the family farm near Candiac. Nellie married the love of her life Andrew in 1950. They lived on a farm near Candiac prior to moving south of Montmartre in 1952. In 1991 Nellie and Andrew moved to their retirement home in Montmartre after selling the family farm to her youngest son Peter and Janet. Mom was a leader and a mentor and a woman of many talents. She was a true farm partner with dad milking and calving cows, feeding calves and hauling grain. She always grew a large garden and had an immaculate yard. She was a seamstress and painted many homes with an extra talent for artistic ceiling creations. She fed everyone at a moment’s notice. Mom made so many perogies and cabbage rolls over her life and processed an abundance of the fruits of her garden labor. She shared her culinary talents with everyone. She was a tireless community volunteer, was dedicated to her faith and she valued her Polish/Ukrainian culture speaking the languages fluently. Mom enjoyed travelling, playing cards and visiting with everyone.

Most of all for Nellie, family was everything. She was a devoted wife, caring for Andrew in sickness and in health. She loved her nine children and their spouses, her thirty-three grandchildren, seventy-one great grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren unconditionally. Nellie was the hardest worker her family knew. She was always there to help with anything they needed, and their various talents are a testament to her mentorship.

Mom did not leave anything undone during her time on this earth and it is time for her to rest in peace. She was so dearly loved, and she will be missed.

Nellie’s family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to the staff of the Montmartre Integrated Health Centre for the loving care they gave our mom and grandma over her years spent there.

If family and friends so desire, contributions in her memory can be made to the Montmartre Health Centre Activity Fund, Box 206, Montmartre, SK S0G 3M0.

The funeral service was held in Sacred Heart R.C. Church, Montmartre, SK on Friday, April 19, 2024 at 3:00 p.m. with Rev. Fr. Warren Dungen. Cremation with interment in St. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Cemetery, Montmartre, SK. The urn bearer as Helen Baumgartner.