Obituary of Frances Theresa Helen Schultz

SCHULTZ

Frances Theresa Helen

(nee Piatka)

1930  -  2022

 

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https://video.ibm.com/embed/recorded/131309302

 

Frances Theresa Helen Schultz (nee Piatka) passed away on January 21, 2022 just short of her 92^nd birthday after a long and courageous battle with dementia.  Frances was born on April 24, 1930 on a farm near Lestock, SK.  She was raised on the farm and left at an early age for Saskatoon, SK to complete her education and obtain a teaching certificate at the Saskatoon Teachers College.  Her parents instilled in her a work ethic that stood her in good stead for all of her life.

 

She is pre-deceased by her parents Annie and John Piatka, brothers Fred Piatka and Oscar Piatka, by her sister Beth Zabos, by her nieces Brenda Piatka and Kari Zabos, by her nephew Brad Piatka, and other extended family members.

 

Frances met Bill Schultz (left to mourn) while teaching in Duval, SK in 1952 and they were married in 1954 in Lestock, SK.  Together they had two children who are left to mourn her passing, Kathy Gossen (Randy Muzyka) and Karen Hunter (Barry).  Karen and Barry had three beautiful children also left to mourn Jackie McConaghy (Trevis), Dani Hunter-Boone (Jordan) and Cole Hunter (Blayre Joa).  Her grandchildren were the apple of her eye and she loved them dearly, always there with a helping hand and support, always an ear to listen to troubles and give advice, or help sew or mend something.  Her kitchen rocking chair was always open and there was always a kettle boiling for tea and homemade goodies to cure any woe.  We would get a gentle scolding for wearing jeans with holes or rips with her saying, I can mend those for you.  No Grandma, no Mom, I bought them like this.

 

Frances has three beautiful great grandchildren Hazel Hunter, Ace Hunter and Maeve Boone.  She loved hearing about their antics and thoroughly enjoyed their visits.

 

Frances took in any wayward kids or any of our friends or schoolmates who needed a mom and dad or just a meal.  We especially remember those who are left to mourn Wally Harildstad (Angelica Dewi) and Dylan Hanselmann (Calvin, Lisa and Matt).

 

Frances has also left behind many sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces and nephews, cousins and others who are mourning her loss, as family were always welcome in our home for meals or to stay over.  She loved having her and Bill’s family around and it was usually a big crowd.  She considered her sisters-in-law to be dear friends.

 

We would like to acknowledge the many special friends made over the decades of her life, too numerous to mention here but we are thinking of all of you.

 

Frances had a long teaching career starting at Schiller School (near Punnichy, SK) from1947-1950 (Grades 1-8), Duval School (Duval, SK) from 1950-1952 (Grades 4-7), Elizabeth School (Kindersley, SK) from1952-1953 (Grade7), Edenkellie School (Bulyea, SK) from1953-1955 (Grades 1-8), Mountain Chase School (Last Mountain, SK) from 1954-1957 (Grades 1-8), Margaret McClumb School (Semans, SK) from1958-1966 (Grades 9-12), and Nutana Collegiate (Saskatoon, SK) from 1967 to her retirement in 1985 where she taught English and Home Economics until she became the school Guidance Counsellor.

 

Frances went back to the University of Saskatchewan to complete a B.A. and B.Ed. from 1966-1967, as well as completing correspondence, intersession and summer school classes to allow her to transition to her role as Guidance Counsellor.

 

Frances had a strong influence on many students during her long tenure as a teacher, some of who called and visited her up to the time of her passing.  Being on any outing with her invariably resulted in someone coming up to her and asking are you Mrs. Schultz, I was your student or I went to Nutana Collegiate.  She always had time for a visit.

 

After retirement Frances owned and operated a small resume writing business where she continued to assist people with their careers, she taught classes at the YWCA, acted as a docent at the Mendel Art Gallery and sat on the church board at Faith Lutheran Church in Saskatoon, SK.  She supported many organizations and charities some of which were Zoo Gala, Hospital Home Lottery, Cancer Society and the Red Cross.

 

Frances and Bill had the opportunity to do some traveling in their later years within Canada and the US, and also abroad including Jamaica and Europe.  When they traveled they always made a point of stopping to see family and friends.  They always hosted family and special friends at their cabin at Wakaw Lake where many memorable hours were spent visiting, walking, paddle boating, barbecuing and sitting by the campfire.  Frances loved to be at the cabin but in later years was unable to make the trip.

 

We shall now remember Frances as she was before dementia ravaged her mind and eventually her body, as a person who was and is dearly loved and will be thought of often by all who knew her.

We would like to thank the management and staff at Diamond House Golden Health Care in Warman SK for all their care and kindness to Frances.  A special thank you to the management and staff of Stonebridge Crossing Retirement Community in Saskatoon, SK and St. Paul’s Hospital staff in the ER, on the 4^th floor and the 6^th floor for their kindness, compassion and expert care of our dear Frances.  We would also like to thank the Saskatoon Funeral Home for their kindness and their very efficient care to ease our journey.

In lieu of flowers those so wishing may make a donation in memory of Frances to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or the Alzheimer Association of Saskatchewan.