Obituary of Marian Kalesnikoff

Heavy hearts announce the passing of Marian on Sunday, April 7th, 2024. In keeping with the strong and independent woman she was, at 93, Marian passed on her own terms, peacefully and surrounded by the love of her family.
    

Marian was born in Hafford, SK to parents Hanna (Konkin) and Larion Zbitnoff on September 27, 1930.  She was the youngest of four children, having one brother Peter and two sisters, Gertrude (Bud Thorsteinson) and Vera (Nick Popoff), all predeceased. Marian leaves her children and grandchildren:  Tamara (Robert) of Calgary, Blair (Taryl) of Regina and their children Jordan (Aidan), Dryden, and Davis (Melinda), and Lisa (Peter) of Saskatoon and their daughter Hanna. Marian’s grandchildren were her greatest treasures and generations of nieces and nephews share in her loss.
    

Marian received her elementary schooling in Haralowka District School and graduated Grade 12 with the class of ’49 in Blaine Lake, SK.  She completed Marcelin Business College in 1950, and it was her meticulous attention to detail and keen sense of planning and organization that lead to a successful career as secretary treasurer for various school boards, including Blaine Lake, Rosetown, and Kindersley, where she lived with her then husband, John Kalesnikoff.  Marian retired in 1995 from her most rewarding work of twelve years as secretary manager of AA Central Office in Saskatoon.  There was no bigger supporter and promoter of education, activities, sport, dance and the endeavors of her children and grandchildren.
    

Over the years, Marian enjoyed golfing, curling, bowling, gardening, and square dancing, where she met her dear friend and partner, Lloyd Haight, in 1998.  Together, they were very involved in the Saskatoon square dance community, enjoying many club events and weekends at Manitou’s Danceland.  They travelled to Hawaii, the Maritimes, Branson, and enjoyed many cruises to warm destinations.  Marian was an active, long-time member of the Doukhobor Societies of Blaine Lake and then Saskatoon, where she loved singing in the choir and baking bread at Saskatoon Exhibitions.  As her eyesight and hearing vastly deteriorated, she and Lloyd joined the living community of St. Volodymyr Villa in Saskatoon.
  

 Heartfelt thanks are extended to the staff of St. Volodymyr, the nurses and doctors at RUH and City Hospital, and Dr. Thorpe and Dr. Weiler, and all who supported her quality of living these last years.  Marian’s funeral will be held on Sunday, May 19th, 2024 at the Saskatoon Doukhobor Prayer Home, at 10:30 AM.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the CNIB.  For the last 30 years of life, it was Marian’s greatest wish to be able to see the world and the faces of her family again…and now she can.