Ottilia Greschner
Born December 2, 1922
Died September 1, 2023
Otil Greschner passed away peacefully at the age of 100 years, 8 months on September 1, 2023 in LTC at the Kerrobert & District Health Centre surrounded by her loving family.
Otil was born in Guta, Czechoslovakia on December 2, 1922 to Louie and Julianna Telekes; who were of Hungarian heritage. She was the oldest girl of nine siblings; four girls and five boys. Otil met the love of her life, Joe Greschner during World War II and they were married on March 8, 1943. After their children Steve and Michael were born, in 1947 the family moved to Canada to farm near Millerdale, Saskatchewan. Otil arrived in a new country, unable to speak the language and unfamiliar with the surroundings, but grateful to be starting a new life. Through listening to the radio and with the help of new found friends she learned the English language.
Otil was determined to be a good farm wife and mother. Together Joe and Otil raised their nine children, kept cattle, chickens, turkeys, geese and hogs as well as farmed the land. It was a hard life; Otil hauled water for laundry and dishes, put enough food away for the whole winter by canning the vegetables she grew in her huge garden. She dedicated her life to her family and faith. She worked day and night making wonderful meals, sewing clothes, and growing huge gardens to feed her family. It seemed she never stopped working except at night when everyone was finally asleep, she would sneak some time to herself to read, which was a favorite pastime until her eyesight worsened and then she continued to enjoy her beloved books by listening to novels on her CD player.
Otil and Joe moved the Millerdale train station to Dodsland and made it their new home in 1962 and commuted back and forth to the farm until Joe retired from farming.
For years after her children had left the nest, Otil kept busy with church functions, working at the museum, singing in the choir and playing in the senior’s kitchen band. She loved to bowl with her friends and enjoyed playing cards at the senior centre. She could be found on any given day, baking for a bake sale, preparing snacks for senior lunches, mending clothes, tending her very big garden, canning, quilting and crocheting. Her love of flowers showed in abundance every summer when her whole yard transformed into a showcase of blooms.
Otil also greatly enjoyed spending time with her growing brood of grandchildren and great-grandchildren who lovingly referred to her as Grannie O. She loved to show them how to bake, sew and garden. She was famous for never letting anyone away from the table without a full stomach. She spent countless hours in her kitchen showing her love by baking buns and preparing many other family favourites.
Otil moved to Pioneer’s Haven in Kerrobert in August of 2014; and then into LTC in February of 2021.
Otil guided her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren with her faith, grace and love. She wonderfully touched the lives of so many and will be dearly missed.
Otil is predeceased by her husband Joseph Greschner, son Michael, her parents and several siblings. She is survived by her children Steve (Rayna), Eugene (Helen), Sally (Harold), Paul (Maelene), Julie, Tom (Brenda), Tony (Linda), Veronica (Vern), 22 grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren.
The Greschner family would like to thank Dr. Wentzel, the nurse practitioners, all the staff at Pioneer’s Haven, Home Care and the Kerrobert & District Health Centre, for the wonderful care that she received over the years.
The Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, September 5, 2023 at 11:00 am at Our Lady of Grace Dodsland Catholic Church with Rev. Fr. Charles Nweze as celebrant. There will be a Private Internment at Dodsland Cemetery then lunch and social to follow at Dodsland Legion Hall.
For those wishing to donate in Otil’s memory, please consider doing so through Chalice Canada’s Gifts of Celebration Fund, Chalice Canada, 101-26 Union Street, Bedford NS, B4A 2B5 or etransfer@chalice.ca.
Services
FUNERAL MASS
Tuesday
September 5, 2023
11:00 AM
Our Lady Of Grace Catholic Church
385 Charles Street
Dodsland, SK S0L 0V0
DirectionsText DetailsEmail Details
PRIVATE INTERMENT
Dodsland Druid Cemetery
1/2 mile East Dodsland on Hwy 31
Dodsland, SK S0L 0V0
Respectfully,
The Staff of Kindersley Community Funeral Home & Crematorium
Thu, Apr 25, 9:30 AM
