Obituary of Ed Kobasiuk

Obituary January 30, 1916 - July 17, 2007Ed Kobasiuk was born on January 30, 1916 in a two story log house on the snowy hills of Skaro, Alberta, to parents, Nancy and Alex Kobasiuk. The family lived a meager existence and he lost his mother to cancer when he was only sixteen years old. At seventeen he went out in search of work to try to earn a living to help support his younger siblings. He first married in 1938 and had two children, Jim and Doreen. Sadly that marriage dissolved after four years. So, in 1942, following basic training in the Canadian army, Ed went into service overseas. He has shared many of the experiences with family, from the landing at Normandy, to the liberation celebrations in Holland. It was in Holland where he first saw Hentje Maria Cohrs, (Hettie). He knew from the moment he saw her that she would one day be his wife. He won her heart with the gifts of sandwiches, chocolates and rides in the army jeep. Even her family loved him, after all he was their Canadian Liberator!The soldier and his war bride were finally married in Edmonton on July 18, 1947. They and the two children, now eight and six, moved to Dawson Creek so Ed could work on the construction of the Hart Highway. "It was a strange new world that my wife had to adjust to".In the fall of 1950, Ed and Hettie filed for a homestead in Bonanza, Alberta. He supported the family which now included John, Sheila and Don by farming in the summer, welding, and thawing frozen water lines in the winter. After thirty years of enjoying life and involvement in Bethel Tabernacle in Dawson Creek, Ed and Hettie moved to Gallagher Lake B.C. to retire. Many good memories and friendships were made there. After having hip replacement surgery at eighty years of age, Ed and Hettie realized they needed to move back north to be nearer to family again.In the spring of 1997 they loaded up their car and trailer and headed north where the children and grandchildren were lined up on the driveway to welcome them. It was a wonderful day! Ed loved his life on the acreage, but unfortunately in September of 2004, he fell and seriously injured his back and was never able to walk again. Hettie became Ed's loving care giver at home and did that for as long as she was able to. Ed resided in Pouce Coupe Care Home for eight months, but his desire always was to go home. So, family brought his home in the spring of 2006, where John and Eunice, as well as many wonderful home support workers; and then in January of 2007 an incredible care aide - Denise Smith, came to the home daily to care for Ed. She loved his sense of humour and inspired him to keep connected to life. This past month, through failing daily health, Ed held on to life in order to be together with Hettie for the celebration of their 60th anniversary. A small group of family members had a wonderful intimate day with Ed and Hettie, picnicking together in the back yard on the Saturday before his passing. It was only fitting that quietly during the early morning hours of Tuesday, July 17th, Ed took his last breath in his own bed at home. It was where he loved to be - he was welcomed into the arms of his loving heavenly father at the age of 91. His years of hardship, and suffering, as soothed by the loving care of his family were over. Too soon for all of us who loved him so, but at the right time as appointed by God.Ed was pre-deceased by his parents: Nancy and Alex Kobasiuk; brothers: John, Joe, Stan; sister: Victoria; grandchildren: Tenille Kobasiuk, Gregory Kobasiuk, and great grandson Brandon Kobasiuk.He leaves to mourn: his loving wife of sixty years: Hettie; brother: Richard of Edmonton; sister: Pat Huffam of Victoria, sons Jim/Mable of Dawson Creek; John/Eunice of Fort St. John, Don/Heather of Dawson Creek; daughters: Sheila/Paul DeCosta of Dawson Creek, and Doreen Nelson of Lethbridge. Also missing their Opa are twelve grandchildren and fourteen great grandchildren. Services You can still show your support by sending flowers directly to the family, or by planting a memorial tree in the memory of Ed Kobasiuk