Mildred Katzberg (nee Johnson) was born on September 3, 1918 on a farm new Pelly, SK, the daughter of Carl and Ellen (nee Peterson) Johnson. She was the second of six children and attended Pine School. Mildred moved to Yorkton where she worked at a variety of jobs, including a tailor shop for about three years. While living in Yorkton, she met Reuben Katzberg. They were married on July 2, 1948 at Springside, SK. They were blessed with five children, Eva, Rebecca, Wesley, Donna and Ferne. Mildred and Reuben worked together on the family farm north of Orcadia. In 1976, the sold the farm and retired to Yorkton. At an early age Mildred learned how to make bread, buns, cakes, cookies and everything in between. This knowledge was incredibly valuable when she was raising her own family, but she also provided canning, pickling, jams and jellies. Gardening was a big part of her life, and Mildred liked to be outside in the garden. She enjoyed planting and reaping the produce. Cutworms and potato bugs were not safe in Mildred's garden. She especially loved growing flowers - daffodils, irises, columbines - but her favorites were her prairie cactus and her roses. Some of Mildred's hobbies included sewing, quilting, being in the Rock and Gem Club. Sewing was her passion and she enjoyed teaching her children to sew, as well as working with the 4-H sewing club. She made many patchwork quilts, including baby quilts in yellow gingham. Mildred also took pleasure in her handwork which included knitting, crocheting, embroidery, cross-stitching and needlework. She always attended events that her children and later grandchildren were involved in. In 2008 Reuben passed away. Mildred decided she was not able to keep up with the house and yard so she moved in to the Bentley Retirement Community. In 2010, she made her home at the Lakeside Manor Care Home where she resided until her passing on Tuesday, May 15, 2012. Mildred was predeceased by her husband, Reuben (Lorne); a daughter, Rebecca Judy; her parents, Carl and Ellen Johnson; her brothers, Clarence (Ellen) and Rudolph; her sister, Edith (Don) MacPhedran and her brother-in-law, Bert Gabert. Mildred is survived by her loving family, her children, Eva (Dave) Gillard, Wes (Val) Katzberg, Donna Katzberg and Ferne Katzberg; her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Jennifer Gillard, Derek (Jenna) Katzberg and Konnor, Andrew (Shantelle) Katzberg and Kaeden, Dean (Natalie) Katzberg and Noah; her brother, Art (Vi) Johnson and her sister, Alice Gabert, along with numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral Services were held on Saturday, May 19, 2012 from the Chapel of Christie's Funeral Home in Yorkton, SK with Reverend Faye Greer officiating. The organist, Mrs. Carla Laycock, led the congregation in the singing of the hymns, "In the Bulb There is a Flower" and "In the Sweet Bye and Bye". The processional music was "Morning Has Broken" and the recessional was "Somewhere Over the Rainbow". Nina Johnson shared words of tribute and eulogy. The Interment Service followed in the Yorkton City Cemetery with Derek Katzberg, Andrew Katzberg, Dean Katzberg, Chris Johnson, Ian MacPhedran and Gilbert Johnson serving as the pallbearers. Mildred's daughter, Ferne, honoured her mother's love for the bagpipes by ending the interment service with music. Friends so wishing may forward their condolences to the family by visiting www.christiesfuneralhome.com Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Christie's Funeral Home & Crematorium, Yorkton, Saskatchewan.
