Date of Birth: November 8, 1926
Date of Death: February 6, 2019
Bernice Loretta Florence Oscienny was born on Nov. 8, 1926 to her parents, Amelia (Bancarz) and Sigmund Zapshala. She was born in the house that her dad built in the village of Goodeve, Sask.
Bernice was one of 14 children. She lived on the farm in the Goodeve area and she attended Green Bush School where she and her siblings had to walk three miles to school. Upon completion of her Grade 10, she moved to Fenwood, Sask. and worked at the Karasicks General Store.
When not working, Bernice enjoyed her outings to sports days where she played ball for the Fenwood ladies’ team. She was always going to dances and she was a stylish dresser. She continued to work there while her family moved to a farm outside McCreary, Man. in 1946.
Bernice met Sam at a Christmas concert at Maxwelton School and they were married on June 13, 1953 in McCreary, Man. They returned to Saskatchewan and farmed south of Goodeve before purchasing their farm west of Fenwood in 1965.
Bernice always grew very nice gardens. For many hours over the summer, she canned and preserved fruits, vegetables and meats for the winter. She also had a massive raspberry patch and she had all her children picking portulaca. She loved the outdoors and spent time picking Saskatoons, hazelnuts and mushrooms.
During the winter, Bernice enjoyed playing canasta, three spot and rummy until the wee hours of the morning with neighbouring couples. For anyone who dropped by for a visit, they couldn’t leave until they had lunch or dinner and heard the words, “Eat, eat, eat!”
Bernice also enjoyed the family trips she and Sam took to Montreal for Expo 67, to northern Saskatchewan for fishing and to Banff, Jasper and finally Calgary where she was thrilled when they saw Granny, Jed, Elly May and Jethro in the Calgary Stampede parade.
Bernice, throughout her life, was very generous in donating to various charitable organizations. In Goodeve, she was very involved with Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church and in Melville, she was a very active member of St. Henry’s and devoted member of the Rosary Sodality Ladies.
Her favourite activity for many years was being a professional bingo player in neighbouring towns.
Bernice spent the last two years of her life at St. Paul Lutheran Home, Melville, where she enjoyed all the activities and the social atmosphere.
She leaves to cherish her memory: son, Patrick (Lynn) of Calgary and sons, Mark and Adam; daughter, Patrice of Fernie, B.C. and daughters, Aislinn and Emilie; son, Clement (Marie) of Calgary; and daughter, Carmella (Kent) of Hay River, NWT and daughters, Samantha and Brianna; grandson, Cory (Katlin); great-granddaughter, Hennessy; two sisters, Marjie Mozdzen of Alonsa, Man. and Phyllis Temple of Melville, Sask.; brothers, Lawrence Zapshala of McCreary, Man. and Karl Zapshala of Stoughton, Sask.; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Bernice was predeceased by her husband, Sam; son, Timothy; parents; sisters, Lucy, Nellie and Anne; brothers, John, Tom, Stanley, Phillip, Charlie and Sydney.
Prayers were held on Friday, Feb. 8, 2019 from St. Henry’s Roman Catholic Church in Melville.
The funeral mass was celebrated on Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019 from St. Henry’s Church with Father Andrew Sowa, OMI, as the celebrant.
Arrangements were Bailey’s Funeral and Cremation Care, Melville.
