Lena Kozmeniuk (nee Marteniuk) was born December 30, 1923, the daughter of Kost and Maranda (nee Krill) Marteniuk. Lena received her education at Chernowka and Verbaska Schools in the Calder District. She was the youngest of 13 children and the only child of Kost and Miranda together. She was very interested in sports and excelled in playing ball with the boys teams.

Lena married Dmytro Kozmeniuk on November 9, 1941. Metro was called to the army in 1942 and was stationed in Ottawa as a clerk. Lena spent some time living with both sets of parents. Beverly was born in October of 1943. Metro found a small two-room apartment in Ottawa where they were living on $1.10 a day. Metro was discharged from the army, on September 9, 1945. In 1946, with $500.00 and a strong desire to be successful, they started a General Store in Danbury, SK. Wayne was born in January of 1948 and in 1953 they opened a Locker plant and General Store in Stenen, SK, as well. Lena was kept busy raising her family, looking after the business and sharing work and responsibilities with Metro. In March of 1955, Bernie was born. In September of 1962, Donna was born.

After 17 years in Danbury they decided to build a new home and move to Yorkton. In 1963, they moved to Roblin after buying the Marshall Wells store. Lena continued to work hard, rising early to do home chores, get the kids off to school and plan and prepare meals and working in the store in the afternoons. She was also involved in placing orders, pricing and looking after her favorite, the giftware. They switched to Link Hardware and built a new store in 1969. They later decided to become a Home Hardware store.

Wayne took over the store when Metro retired and Lena continued to work in the store until she was 65. Lena and Metro enjoyed several years of retirement, travelling and enjoying their grandchildren.

For the last 7 years, she lived in the Roblin Personal Care Home. Lena passed away peacefully in the Roblin Crocus Court on Sunday, June 12, 2016 at 92 years old.

Lena was an active member of St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Orthodox church, a member of the choir and the women’s auxiliary. She also belonged to the Roblin Horticultural Society and was involved with the Ukrainian Dancing Organization. Her hobbies were working, gardening (she had a real green thumb), growing flowers, senior curling, watching baseball and hockey on TV, talking on the phone to her friends, and playing solitaire.

She especially loved cooking for family and friends. “Eat, Eat, Eat” was one of her favourite sayings and believe us – there was always an abundance of great food to eat! No one ever left her kitchen hungry. Mom’s display of love was through her giving. Hospitality and generosity were definitely gifts she had, which her children try to model in their own lives and families. Her specialties included perogies and homemade soup (Good soup, was always what she called it!!) Birthday parties were always a must and the entire family gathered to celebrate. The family will always treasure her Ukrainian Christmas Eve meal that she spent countless days planning and preparing. Family, extended family and often friends quickly devoured the Ukrainian dishes she lovingly prepared.

Lena loved the overnight shopping trips with her daughters and daughter in law, and they loved it too. She had a great sense of humor and never hesitated to giggle. The grandchildren have so many happy memories of being loved (spoiled), sleepovers, eating at Baba’s, her bubblegum jar in the corner cabinet, homemade porridge, Baba’s salt on French fries, popcorn with lots of butter, fresh garden peas, petunias and sweet peas in the yard. She will live on in all of our hearts as we have so many more individual memories of Baba.

Lena leaves to mourn her loss and cherish her memory, her children, Bev (Larry) Thompson of Assiniboia, Wayne (Karol) Kozmeniuk of Roblin, Bernard Kozmeniuk of Roblin, Donna (Larry Mazur) of Kelowna; her nine grandchildren, Kelly (Kozmeniuk) Dwayne Brook of Roblin, Douglas (Catherine) Thompson of Medicine Hat, Dawn (Kozmeniuk) Jason Clemett of Calgary, Pamela (Thompson) John Connelly of Marysville, Kari (Kozmeniuk) Cory Hanneson of Dauphin, Trevor (Kim) Thompson of Assiniboia, Michael Mazur of Kelowna/Vancouver, Matt Mazur of Vancouver/Kelowna, Alenna (Mazur) Aaron Jamieson of Roblin; her 16 great grandchildren, Daphne, Charles, Ann, Benjamin, Ramsey, Zachary, Kennedy, Joshua, Jakob, Aidan, Taylor, Jackson, Ty, Tristyn, Noah, Liesl (born on Great Baba’s 92^nd birthday) and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

She was predeceased by her husband Dmytro; parents Kost and Maranda (nee Krill-Morash) Marteniuk; her brothers and sisters, Metro “James” (Emma) Martin, Bill (Lena) Marteniuk, George (Rose) Marteniuk, John “Ken” (Jean) Martin, Nick (Violet) Marteniuk, Pete (Elsie) Marteniuk, Rosie (Nick) Prokopetz, Helen (John) Scraba, Mary (George) Sidor, Peter (Dora Marteniuk) Morash, Dora (Kost) Montain; her in-laws Katie and Michael Kozmeniuk; brother in laws, William (Nellie) Kozmeniuk, Nick (Evelyn) Kozmeniuk and Michael (Mary) Kozmeniuk.

A Prayer Vigil Service was held on Thursday, June 16, 2016 at 7:00 PM in the Chapel of Nairn-Chyz Funeral Home with Father Brent Kuzyk officiating.

The Funeral Service was held on Friday, June 17, 2016 at 10:00 AM at St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Roblin with Father Brent Kuzyk officiating. The Cross Bearer was Rodney Flunder and Kelly Brook and Matthew Mazur read the eulogy. Lena’s family requested that all of her family and friends consider themselves to be Honourary Casket Bearers.

Lena was carried to her final resting place, next to her beloved husband Metro in St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Orthodox Cemetery, by the Casket Bearers: Douglas Thompson, Trevor Thompson, Dwayne Brook, Cory Hanneson, Michael Mazur and Matthew Mazur.

Following the Interment Service, a memorial reception was held at the Roblin 50 and Over Club.

NAIRN-CHYZ FUNERAL HOME

Entrusted with Arrangements

Roblin’s Only Locally Owned

and Family Operated Funeral Home

(204) 937-2111

nairn-chyzfuneralhome.com

Charitable donations may be made to:

Roblin District Community Foundation
Box 1599, Roblin, MB, R0L 1P0,

St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Orthodox Cemetery
Box 681, Roblin MB R0L 1P0

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