Obituary of Marie Victoria Vitkauskas

A memorial folder from the funeral service can be printed under the "Memories" tab, then click "Memorial Program". VITKAUSKAS - Marie Madeleine Victoria Vitkauskas (nee Pelletier) passed away peacefully with loved ones by her side on March 21, 2013 at the Yorkton Regional Health Centre, she was 77 years young. Affectionately known as La'Fee, she fought a courageous battle with diabetes since 1972. Predeceased by her parents Jerry and Alice; son Joe; brothers Robert and Francis; sisters Edna and Alice; brother-in-law Lawrence St. Pierre; sons-in-law Richard Warden and John Whitehat; & daughter-in-law Lynda Juba. La'Fee was born February 12, 1936 in St. Madeleine MB, she was the eldest of five children. In 1954 she married Vincent Vitkauskas (deceased 2001) in Binscarth, MB and made their home on the family farm near Langenburg. This union was blessed with five children: Verna, Joe, Jim, Mardell and Bruce. Sadly they separated. She then moved to Yorkton and in 1963 she met Lawrence Flamont (deceased 1969). They had four children: Stephanie, Fanta, Sheila, and Jerry. After a lengthy mourning period, in 1971 she met Jack Martineau (deceased 1992), and they moved to Edmonton where they had a son, Darcy. After several moves they made their home in Calgary until their separation in 1986. During her life she also lived in Ituna where she proudly owned a home. In Lethbridge she met a good friend, Robert (deceased), where she lived independently and enjoyed a very active lifestyle. She returned to Yorkton in 2001 to be with her family and friends. Together with her daughter Stephanie, they bought a home in 2004 where she had since resided. The passing of her eldest son Joe in 2012 took a heavy toll on her. Periodically, she enjoyed work as a cleaner, a counselor, and her favorite being a cook while raising her children. Some of the fondest memories her children have include BBQ's, playing cards (she preferred winning), bingos, visiting, awesome meals, reminiscing old times. She loved conversing in her native Mitchif language, listening to the Sunday Gospel Hour on the Radio, sitting on her deck, playing with her grandchildren and great grandchildren, and baking bannock and bangs for her family. Mom had a 'tough love' approach which came from her caring heart, she was proud of her family's accomplishments and many times her generosity went beyond her family. Sadly, she leaves to mourn her children: Verna Peepeetch (Terry) of Yorkton, Jim Vitkauskas (Nancy) of Saskatoon, Mardell Warden of Yorkton, Bruce Vitkauskas (Ida) of Calgary, Stephanie Flamont of Yorkton, Fanta Vitkauskas-Whitehat of Grenfell, Sheila Dawe (Glen) of Yorkton, Jerry Flamont (Colleen) of Calgary, & Darcy Martineau (Laura) of Saskatoon; also 27 grandchildren, 36 great-grandchildren, 1 great-great-grandchild as well as numerous nephews, nieces, cousins, and her many other relatives and friends. Prayer services were held on Monday evening, March 25th, 2013 from St. Gerard's Roman Catholic Church in Yorkton. Father Francis Hengen officiated, the lector was Randy Fleury. Pianist, Lorraine Lysak led members of the Parish Choir and the congregation in the singing of the hymns 'Like a Shepherd', Psalm 63, 'Unless A Grain of Wheat', and 'Day is Done'. The Funeral Mass was celebrated on Tuesday morning, March 26th from St. Gerard's Church with Father Francis as Celebrant. the lectors were Leteecia Baynton, Jeri-Ann Flamont & Angela Vitkauskas. The crossbearer was Tammy Stewart. The gift-bearers were Melissa & Randy Fleury. Pianist, Pam Yaremko led the Pairsh Choir & congregation in the singing of the hymns 'Morning Has Broken', Psalm 116, 'Prayer of St. Francis' , 'On Eagles Wings', 'Song of the Angels', and 'Amazing Grace'. The interment took place in the Yorkton City Cemetery with Chris Vitkauskas, Joe Vitkauskas, Aron Nielsen, Conway Pelletier, Dale St. Pierre, Randy Fleury, Dave Stewart and Blair Benko serving as the casketbearers. Condolences may be left at baileysfuneralhome.com. Memorials may be made to the MS Society or to the Yorkton Nursing Home as tokens of remembrance. Arrangements were entrusted to Bailey's Funeral Home. Service Information Monday, March 25th, 2013 7:00pm, St. Gerard's Roman Catholic Church Tuesday, March 26th, 2013 10:00am, St. Gerard's Roman Catholic Church Interment Details Yorkton City Cemetery