In Loving Memory of
Katie Koslowsky
(nee Bergen)
age 94
Lovingly remembered by her husband Victor, daughter Hilda (Dave) Hildebrand and son
David (Rhonda) as well as their families
Died
October 14, 2021
Bayside Personal Care Home
Killarney, Manitoba
Public Viewing
Wheatland Chapel
Thursday, October 21, 2021
7:00 ~ 8:00 p.m.
Public Graveside Service
Friday, October 22, 2021
Killarney Cemetery
Killarney, Manitoba
2:00 p.m.
Gathering will be in accordance with Covid regulations
Donations in memory of Katie may be made to
Mennonite Central Committee,
134 Plaza Dr., Winnipeg, MB R3T 5K9
Katie Koslowsky was born April 28, 1927 in Gnadenthal, Ukraine, the eldest child of Abram and Susanna Bergen. In time, three sons and a daughter were added to the family.
When Katie was 11 years old, her father was taken by the secret police, and never returned. Shortly after, her little sister died. Her mother was left to raise the family alone through the oppressive Soviet regime.
In 1943, the whole village Katie's family was living in mobilized to flee the advancing Red Army. Helter skelter, they moved from the Ukraine, through Poland to Germany. At some point Katie was separated from the family, not knowing if the others were alive or dead. When the family finally reunited, they were able to come to Canada, arriving at Pier 21 in Halifax, October 1947. This traumatic experience was life-shaping and featured greatly in all her story-telling and memoirs.
The Bergen family settled in Winnipeg where Katie got a job at the Blue Ribbon factory and made life-long friends. Her mother rented out rooms and one of the boarders was a handsome young man name Victor. That's where the romance began! Victor and Katie were married on June 21, 1958. In 1960 they bought the farm near Smith Hill where they raised their family.
Mom was a hard-working partner for Dad, pitching in with all the farm work and growing a huge garden among other things. She wasn't afraid of work and taught us well.
Upon retirement to town, Mom's gifts of hospitality and generosity shone through even more. Many people were the recipients of her time and talents. She sewed hundreds of blankets for MCC, and volunteered at the MCC Thrift Store, Turtle Mountain Bible Camp and at Lakeview Community Church.
Mom loved her family and showed her love through practical gifts. She helped Dave and Rhonda where ever she could on the farm and travelled regularly to Alberta to visit Hilda and Dave and the grandchildren, being there for many of their special occasions.
Mom's personal faith journey began in Germany where she saw how God cared for her in so many ways. Mom and Dad read the Bible and prayed daily for others. Jesus was her rock as she faced life, one day at a time. She was forever grateful.
She is lovingly remembered by Victor, her husband of 63 years; her children Hilda (David) Hildebrand, and David (Rhonda). Grandchildren: Steven (fiancé Kelly Johnston) Hildebrand, Katherine (Devon) Opden Dries, Deanna (Ty) Andres, Justin Koslowsky, Terra (Mark) Bergen and great-grandchildren Nora, Elliott and Shiloh.
She leaves behind her brother John (Shirley) Bergen and family; and sister-in-law, Bettie Bergen and family.
She was predeceased by her parents, her sister Lena, brothers Peter and Henry, and sister-in-law Lena Koslowsky.