Obituary of Wanda Gebhard

GEBHARD - Wanda Gebhard of Yorkton, widow of Zygmunt entered eternal rest on July 27, 2020 at the age of 98 years. Wanda was born on September 8, 1921 in the village of Ole?niki, in the Lublin Voivodship in Poland. Her parents were Jan Idzik and Franciszka (nee Janiak). The Idzik and Janiak families farmed in Ole?niki and the area for hundreds of years and their descendants continue to do so to this day. Wanda was the youngest and last survivor of seven children born to Jan and Franciszka. She had four brothers, Franciszek, Józef, Bronis?aw, and Pawe? and two sisters W?adys?awa and Józefa Raczy?ska. Wanda's father died tragically in a farming accident in 1935. Her mother passed away in 1955. In the late 1930's Wanda attended a Catholic residential school in Lublin and had one more year to finish her secondary education when war began in 1939. Years of terror descended on the inhabitants of what was once a peaceful farming countryside. Food shortages, arrests, torture and executions of the civilian population were an everyday occurrence. In 1942, Wanda's oldest brother Franciszek, a veterinarian, was suspected of resistance activities by the Nazis and was sent to the concentration camp at O?wi?cim (Auschwitz) and murdered there after four months of starvation and hard labour. The Polish Home Army, an underground resistance organization was active in the Lublin region and Wanda also risked her life by joining and carrying out duties as a courier. After the war ended, Wanda returned to school in Lublin and completed her high school. Shortly thereafter, she moved to Legnica, a small city in Western Poland, which had been a part of Germany until 1945. There she taught kindergarten and later worked as a secretary in the regional administration office. She met her husband Zygmunt when they were living in the same apartment building in Legnica. They were united in marriage on October 18, 1947 and had three children: Jerzy, b. 1948; Krzysztof, b. 1951; and El?bieta, b. 1958. Sadly, Jerzy passed away in infancy after only two months of life. They purchased a large house in Pozna? and the family moved there in 1958. Their time in Pozna? lasted only two years, followed by emigration to Canada in November of 1960. The Gebhard family moved to Canada to be reunited with Zygmunt's father who had arrived in 1927. After six months in Insinger, Saskatchewan, the new Canadians moved to Yorkton where Wanda lived for the remainder of her life. For the first few years in Yorkton, Wanda was a seasonal worker at the Co-op poultry plant and later worked for several years at Midwest Packers (now Harvest Meats), where Zygmunt was employed from the time they arrived. In 1972, Zygmunt opened his own business, the Yorkton Abattoir and Wanda worked there as a meat wrapper. They sold the plant and retired in 1984. Wanda was a determined and hard worker. She would put in long hours at the family business, did all the house work, prepared all meals and tended the large vegetable garden. Wanda enjoyed dancing, singing especially in the car on long trips and playing cards. The Roman Catholic faith was important to her. Fortunately she was able to enjoy many years of retirement. She spent endless hours labouring in their immaculate garden and gorgeous flower beds, cooking, baking, helping family, fishing and watching her favorite soap operas. When Zygmunt was making his famous sausage, she was there to assist. Love for her family was never ending. She was patient, understanding and always ready to help her children and grandchildren in any way possible. Family gatherings were special to her and she enjoyed preparing traditional Polish dishes at Easter and Christmas celebrations. During the nearly 60 years that she and Zygmunt lived in Yorkton, they made many friends and had an active social life. Her final four years were spent in the Yorkton and District Nursing Home. Zygmunt predeceased Wanda by only four and a half months. They had been married for 72 years. Wanda was predeceased by her grandson Damian Gebhard in 1997. She is survived by son Krzysztof and daughter-in-law Victoria, Nanoose Bay BC, grandchildren Amanda Gebhard (Jason Green), Hagen SK, Kristina Gebhard, Nanaimo BC, daughter El?bieta and son-in-law Kerry Perepeluk, Yorkton, grandchildren Jennifer Newcombe (Ryan), Regina , Dustin Perepeluk, Dunleath SK, Melanie Bauche (Andrew), Saskatoon, Garret Perepeluk (Autumn Voegtlin), Tofield AB, Leta Coutts (Logan), Yorkton and great grandchildren Peyton Newcombe, Isabella Newcombe, Sadie Newcombe and Scarlett Bauche. Prayers were held on Friday, July 31, 2020 led by Mary Bybliw and Kristina Gebhard serving as the reader. The Funeral Mass was on Saturday, August 1, 2020, both services at St. Gerard's Roman Catholic Church in Yorkton with Rev. Fr. Louis Kim Nguyen as the Celebrant. The accompanist was Allison Kruger and the readers were Debbie & Keith Hayward. The interment took place in the Garden of Gethsemane at Yorkton Memorial Gardens with Dustin Perepeluk, Garret Perepeluk, Ryan Newcombe, Andrew Bauche, Logan Coutts and Jason Green serving as the casket bearers. Memorials may be made to the Activity Department at Yorkton Nursing Home or St. Gerard's Church. Condolences to the family can be posted at www.baileysfuneralhome.com Service Details. Prayers Friday, July 31st, 2020 | 7:00pm When: Friday, July 31st, 2020 7:00pm Location: St. Gerard's Roman Catholic Church Address: 125 Third Ave. N. YORKTON, SK S3N 1C4 Funeral Service When: Saturday, August 1st, 2020 10:00am Location: St. Gerard's Roman Catholic Church Address: 125 Third Ave. N. YORKTON, SK S3N 1C4 Interment Location: Yorkton Memorial Gardens Address: Highway #10 East YORKTON, SK Online Memory & Photo Sharing Event Ongoing Online Event About this event In Loving Memory Of Wanda Gebhard September 8, 1921 - July 27, 2020 Look inside to read what others have shared Family and friends are coming together online to create a special keepsake. Every memory left on the online obituary will be automatically included in this book. View Tribute Book