Jessie (Justina) Voth

August 15, 1927 - June 14, 2024

In Loving Memory ~

Jessie (Justina) Voth (Gerbrandt, Pawliski) was born 5 miles NE of Gouldtown, Saskatchewan on August 15, 1927. She was almost 97 years old when she passed away from old age and went to heaven.

She had an experience about 4 years ago, when she broke her hip and had trouble coming out of surgery. She said she had a chat with 3 people that have passed on before her. After that she always said 'Heaven is Real'.

Jessie was raised on a farm in Saskatchewan. Mom carried water to the house, milked cows before going to school and collected eggs. They took a horse and buggy to school, driving the horse by themselves. They tied rags around their feet for shoes. The house was one room, with curtains hung up for bedrooms. They had lamps to light the place.

She lived through the "Dirty Thirty's", when there was no rain and the fields turned to dust so there wasn't much food. The grasshoppers were thick and destroyed everything in their path. Mom's family were hungry and had to eat just oatmeal porridge three times a day. They could grow the oats because they had a stream running through their land.

Mom was raised to not complain, and do more than your share of the work. If someone was working at something, the kids were to pitch in and help, without being asked. Such a different life than modern day life.

At 30 years old, on December 26th she married Sonny (Nick) Pawliski. Christmas holidays were the only time Dad could get off work. Dad worked in the logging industry and eventually this brought them to Williams Lake.

Mom made many friends in Williams Lake. She always said, going to the Toast Mistress course, helped her learn how to communicate with people. Mom did many things, she went to Elder College, worked in a hospital laundry, was a substitute teacher, took painting classes, sung in a choir (did not sound good, but loved it anyway), worked as a seamstress in the Boitanio Mall for many years where she met her long-time friend Chris Mclsaac, and taught sewing lessons to children.

She was the true good housekeeping wife and mother. She harvested home grown vegetables and fruit. She made her own bread, jam, perogies, and the best potato donuts. The sauerkraut she made stunk up the small trailer we lived in for several weeks.

Dad passed in 1997 and Mom soldiered on, doing everything she could for herself. She always took time to help others. Eight years later, she phoned me one day and told me to sit down. She informed me her and George Voth were getting married. I had never met this fellow and didn't hear of them dating, so it was a big surprise.

They had a lovely wedding, riding up in an old fashioned horse and carriage, driven by son-in-law Dick Vinje. I thought they were so brave to start a new life, with George 93 and Mom 78. They had 5 wonderful years together. Mom lived alone in George's house for several years, until she wasn't strong enough to live alone.

Life in the Seniors Village was just what she needed. Many of her friends lived there already, and more kept arriving.

It was so big and overwhelming at first but soon she found a way to help others. When new people came in, she made friends with them and taught them the ropes of Village life. 2016 was most memorable as she was nominated for Senior Citizen of the Year.

They told her she could invite some friends to see her receive the award. She asked them how much room they had. She phoned around and told her friends to come. 80 people attended and the place was packed! She has lots of friends, and we appreciate every one of you. When she turned 75 we threw a party for her, when she got up to speak, her advice was to always keep making more friends.

For Mom, as a kid, Birthdays were no big deal. As an adult, she really loved her Birthday celebrations. She often somehow would manage to have 3 or 4 Birthday parties in a row, as various people chose to have something for her. It got to be the joke each year, wondering how many parties would she think she'd get this year. Everything counted as a party, even the cupcake she got at the Seniors Village. She always appreciated any special treatment, no matter how small, it was a big deal to her.

Mom was not a material girl, her true treasures were her friends and family. When asked what she would do if she won a lottery, she said 'I never learned how to spend money.' As a child, they were each given a sheep to raise, and could keep the money, but were only allowed to save that money, not spend it. When clearing out her place I noticed how little she really had, and there was nothing fancy or valuable. Her true treasures were her family and many friends she has made throughout the years and these are of the greatest value. She appreciated every one of you.

Long Term Care in the Seniors Village was her last home. She embraced this new stage of life with a positive attitude and helped friends as much as she could. The staff cared for her wonderfully and brightened.

Jessie is survived by her brother Dick (Ida) Gerbrandt, daughters Pearl (Jim) Viszket, and Sharon (Dick) Vinje, grandkids, Ben (Alicia) Vinje, Pat (Amy) Vinje, and Rebekah Henry, and Great Grandkids Olivia, Sawyer, Rosalie, Mayleigh, Hannah, and Quinn.

The service will be held at Evangelical Free Church on 11th, Saturday, June 22, at 1:30 pm with a tea to follow.