Obituary of Anita Kolish

Anita Mathilda Frieda Kolish of Mossbank, SK passed away on Saturday, June 23, 2018, at the age of 87. Anita was born to Martha Baarck on August 30, 1930, in Wittenburg, Germany. She spent the first 10 years of her life in a wonderful foster home in Alt Kentzlin, Germany. At the age of 10, Anita’s foster mother died and an older sibling cared for her. In June 1942, at the age of 12, Anita had to leave the life she knew and loved to be raised by Martha and Richard Ebel in Luneburg, Germany. Although Anita gained a loving birth mother, a younger step-sister and two brothers that lived with an uncle in a neighbouring town, she found this new life very difficult. By the age of 15, she had finished grade 8, the war was over, and times were very hard in Germany. She worked as a housekeeper and nanny to help support her family. When she was 18, Anita found a job at a shoe factory and there she met Ernest Kurz. Ernest and his sister Erna invited Anita to attend the Baptist Church. She was baptized and became a member of the Luneburg Baptist Church. Shortly after, she and Ernest were engaged and planned a new life together in Canada with the Baptist Exchange Program. Anita arrived in Congress, Saskatchewan in May 1951, and worked as a farm housekeeper. She met Olga Kolish, who took her under her wing, mentored her spiritually, and taught her to cook and bake, as Anita had never even seen an oven before! A year later, Anita moved to Manitoba to be reunited with her fiancé Ernie and they were married August 1952. God blessed them with a home and two sons, Erwin (May 1953) and Eric (August 1955). Ernest suddenly became ill and died on February 4, 1956. While on a summer visit, Anita met Olga’s son, Berthold Kolish. Bert and Anita were married in the Congress Baptist Church on February 16, 1957. God blessed Bert and Anita with a mixed cattle and grain farm near Mossbank. Together they raised five children, a third son Jonathan (March 1960) and twin girls Marlene and Darlene (May 1964). Anita had much to learn to survive farm life: not to dress young boys in white, how to cook, clean and bake with a limited supply of water, and how to care for animals. Anita enjoyed gardening vegetables and flowers. Her yard both on the farm and later in Mossbank displayed this love. She became an accomplished baker and loved to make dozens of doughnuts for the local children’s Bible camp each summer. Bert and Anita were dedicated members of the Mossbank Associated Gospel Church and hosted several missionary and pastoral couples. In 1981, Bert and Anita moved from the farm into Mossbank for semi-retirement. Anita enjoyed walking in town and was an avid reader. She loved to travel, returning home to Germany many times to reconnect with family there. She also traveled to the Bahamas, Hawaii and many other US and Canadian destinations. Anita loved her family and prayed over them daily. She especially loved spending time with her grandchildren; reading, going for a treat, and enjoying the park. Anita was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s at the age of 78. She lived at home with Bert until October 2012, when she moved into the Assiniboia Nursing Home. Bert went to be with his Lord February 5, 2013. Anita moved into a personal care home in Saskatoon in June 2014, and Samaritan Place Nursing Home May 2015. Anita continued to live her life for her Lord, blessing everyone with a hug and a prayer and reminding them to count their blessings – for God is Good! She will be forever loved and missed by all who knew her. Anita is predeceased by her parents Martha and Richard Ebel of Luneburg, Germany; brother Herbert (Christa) Baarck, Germany; brother Heinz Baarck, Germany; husband of 4 years Ernest Kurz, Winnipeg, MB; husband of 56 years Berthold Kolish, Mossbank, SK; daughter-in-law: Pauline Kolish, Ardrie, AB. Anita leaves behind her children, Erwin (Olha) Kolish, Eric (Valerie) Kolish, Jonathan Kolish (Holly Jacob), Marlene (Brent) Healey, Darlene (Randall) Dyck; daughters-in-love Mona Kolish, Karen (Gerry) Geisbrecht; grandchildren and great-grandchildren Shane (Sheryl) Kolish and Georgia, Erin (Thuan) Chau and Kyan, Troy (Brettlyn) Kolish and Kason, Aven, Candice Kolish-McDonald and Cameron, Travis Kolish and Rylan, Michael (Crystal) Healey and Declan, Benjamin Healey, Bradley Dyck, Kurtis (Leah) Dyck, and Kaelan; brother-in-law Richard Kolish; sister-in-law Alice Kolish; many nieces and nephews (Canada/Germany), family and friends. Funeral Service was held on Thursday, June 28, 2018, 3:00 p.m., at the Cornerstone Gospel Church, Mossbank, SK, with Pastor Marty Johnson officiant. The eulogy was shared by Bradley Dyck and Anita's Grandchildren. Pallbearers were Shane Kolish, Troy Kolish, Bradley Dyck, Kurtis Dyck, Michael Healey, and Benjamin Healey. Interment took place at the Mossbank Cemetery. Memorial donations in memory of Anita to Samaritan Place, 375 Cornish Road, Saskatoon, SK S7T 0P3 and the Alzheimer Society of Saskatchewan, 301-2550 12th Avenue, Regina, SK S4P 3X1, were greatly appreciated.