Florence Konkin

      Florence was born on the family farm in Lily Vale District, near Kamsack to parents Nicholai and Anastasia Cazakoff (nee Verigin). She had three older siblings, Mary, Sam and John. She completed grade 8 in Lily Vale School. The school was a single large room with one teacher to teach grade 1-8. They played indoor games in the winter in a community hall next to the school. They always had a Christmas concert and a visit from Santa. Further schooling was curtailed due to the depression of the 1930’s. The nearest high school was in Kamsack which was 10 miles away. There was barely enough money to keep them clothed and food on the table. There was no church nearby so they would organize neighborhood services on Sundays in someone’s home and the children would memorize a psalm. Living on the farm there were cows to milk and chickens to feed. They had to look after chicks and ducks and tend to the garden. In the summer there was always wild berries to pick. Occasionally they did find time to pack a lunch and go to the lake for a Sunday where the adults would visit while the children would enjoy the water.

     Florence married George Konkin when she was 19. The wedding was at her parents’ home on October 5, 1941. They settled onto the family farm two miles west of Veregin where they raised three children, Lydia born in 1943, Walter born in 1945 and Marcia born in 1957. Florence was always busy tending a large garden, doing farm work, canning and freezing vegetables and fruit. She also sewed dresses and suits, did knitting and crocheting and learned quilting from a young age. In later years she took every opportunity to mentor her grandchildren in traditional cooking skills like making borsch and pyrahi. She belonged to the Kamsack Horticultural Society for many years and also the ladies auxiliary at the Doukhobor Prayer Home. She participated in bake sales and the choir.

     She was predeceased by her parents - both in 1979, each at 91 years of age, her husband George in 2000, her brothers Sam and John and her sister Mary. Survived by her three children and spouses, Lydia (Peter); Walter (Carol) Marcia (Joe), 7 grandchildren and spouses: Dean (Marianne); Alan (Jacqueline); Stacy (Sean), Leanne, Lisa (Nick), Marty (Robin), Jason (Aislinn), 13 great grandchildren and spouses: Kayla, Taylor, Chelsey, Lauren, Drew, Jose (Nicole), Diana, Jennifer, Alexander, Brendon, Parker, Austin, Anya, and by 1 great great grandchild, Savannah.

Visitation for Florence, was held October 9, 2015, the funeral service was held October 10, 2015, both from the Chapel of Wolkowski Funeral Service – Kamsack, with Cecelia Cazakoff officiating. Interment followed beside her husband George, at the Riverview Cemetery – Kamsack. Those so wishing may make memorial donations in memory of Florence to Kamsack and District Nursing Home Auxlliary as tokens of remembrance. To view a memorial video tribute or leave a note of condolence, please visit Wolkowski.ca