Ann Mary Kolebaba passed away peacefully at the Gladstone Seniors Residence, Yorkton, SK on October 28, 2016 at the age of 89. She will be sadly missed but fondly remembered by her family and friends. Ann was born on February 8, 1927 at her grandfather's homestead near Killaly, SK. Ann was the second daughter and third child of Frank and Sophie (nee Neuman) Thiele. She was christened in the Roman Catholic Church as Anna Maria. When Ann was two years old her family moved to Bangor, SK. She later received her schooling at Marvin School, near Bangor. Ann completed Grade 7 and started into Grade 8 when her parents convinced her to stay home to help her mom who was having health concerns. At the age of 13, Ann stayed and helped a neighbour with milking cows and feeding chickens and then she would run to school. Ann was very lonely for her family even though they lived just over a mile away. Before she reached the age of 20 she had worked for six other families, so hard work was no stranger to her. On July 7, 1947 Ann was confirmed in the Catholic Church at Bangor, SK where she received the additional name of Elizabeth as her confirmation sponsor's name was Elizabeth (Betty) Varga. Ann met George Kolebaba at a barn dance and they hit it off right away. On July 30, 1949 Ann married George, the love of her life and her best friend. They were married in the old Greek Orthodox Church in Yorkton. They made their home on a farm near Saltcoats, SK and were blessed with four children. Ann and her children attended Sunday school at Crescent School No. 110. This was where her children attended public school. In August 1968, as a family, they joined the United Church in Saltcoats, SK. In the fall of 1983, Ann and George moved to Yorkton. In 1985 Ann took GED classes at the Regional High School in Yorkton and she wrote exams and received a diploma equivalent to Grade 12. Her grade marks were in the upper one-third across Canada. Ann and George continued farming until 1987, at which time they began renting out the land. Ann officially retired from farming in 2001 and passed the farm to her children. In 2007, Ann sold the house on Deerwood Crescent, Yorkton, SK and moved into a Heritage Senior Housing unit on 7th Avenue North in Yorkton, where she thoroughly enjoyed visiting with the friends she made and also enjoyed participating in the activities in the community room. Ann was hospitalized the last week of September for three weeks and upon being released moved into assisted living at the Gladstone Seniors Residence on Dunlop Street West in Yorkton, where she resided until her passing. Ann was a very loving and caring person. Family meant everything to her and always remained her priority in life. She loved family gatherings and visiting with friends and her extended family at the Heritage Senior Housing unit. Ann was always crocheting an item for her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren or soon-to-be-born great-grandchildren. Ann was an avid gardener and was active in the community, going to dances and playing cards. She also curled until she was almost 80. Ann was predeceased by her husband, George; parents, Frank and Sophie Thiele; brothers, Ben, Ed, Walter and Ewald; sister, Mary Roberts; grandson, Scotty Creelman and son-in-law, Doug Begin. She leaves to celebrate her life, one son, Gordon (Gail); three daughters, Joyce (Dean) Rogers, Beverley (Ron) Creelman, and Sharon (Nelson) Saunders; 10 grandchildren, Shane (Billie) Kolebaba, Brendan Kolebaba (Kayla Zieske), Keith Begin, Curtis (Crissy) Begin, Colleen (Stephen) Leeson, Kiley Jennings, Gillian (Kevin) Roberts, Larissa (Steven) Cox, Tyler Saunders and Tanice (Brandon) Mackie; 16 great-grandchildren, two brothers, Ferdie and Ernie and one sister, Helen Ludwar; numerous nephews and nieces, other relatives and many good friends. A Service to Celebrate Ann's Life was held on Friday, November 4, 2016 from the Chapel of Christie's Funeral Home with Walter Farquharson presiding. The organist, Ruth Datema, led the congregation in the singing of the hymns, "In Christ There is No East or West", "One Day at a Time" and "How Great Thou Art". Family members gave the readings and shared words of tribute and eulogy. The recessional music was a taped selection, "I Can Only Imagine" sung by Mercy Me. The Interment Service followed in the Yorkton City Cemetery with Shane Kolebaba, Brendan Kolebaba, Steven Cox, Curtis Begin, Kevin Roberts and Tyler Saunders serving as the casket bearers. Friends so wishing may forward their condolences to the family by visiting . Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Christie's Funeral Home & Crematorium, Yorkton, Saskatchewan.
