Obituary - Josephine Stodalka
Josephine Stodalka
1932 - 2020
Josephine (Jo) Elizabeth Stodalka, beloved wife of William (Bill) Harry Stodalka of Medicine Hat, Alberta was called to eternal life on Tuesday, February 18, 2020, following a brief illness.
Jo was the eldest daughter of Frank and Theresa Kambeitz. She was born on the family homestead of her maternal grandparents, George and Elizabeth Klein, northeast of Richmound, Saskatchewan on November 8, 1932. Growing up in the Dirty Thirties and being the first of nine children, she developed a work ethic and a sense of resourcefulness that remained with her throughout her life.
She attended Krupp School until 1945 when the Kambeitz family moved to Richmound where, except for her Grade 11 year at St. Angela’s Academy in Prelate, she completed her high school.
A bright,“straight A” student, she skipped a grade, which meant she was in the same class as Bill Stodalka. Childhood sweethearts, Josephine and Bill went on their first “official date” when they were Grade 10 Students in 1948. They were married on August 12, 1953 and in her words, it was “one of the happiest days of my life.” They have had a truly wonderful life, growing old together, seventy-one years in all since that first date. It was a first and true love for both of them that lasted a lifetime.
After high school, their teaching careers took them on their next leg of their life journey. Bill and Jo completed Normal School in Moose Jaw in 1951. She then taught in Kronau, Regina and Webb, Saskatchewan. They returned home to teach in Richmound, Saskatchewan in 1958.
Their family grew during these years to include four boys and a girl.
In 1967, they moved to Calgary with the family for one year so Bill could obtain his Master of Education Degree from the University of Calgary.
In 1972, the family left Richmound and moved to Maple Creek, Saskatchewan when Bill became the Director of the Maple Creek School Division.
Bill and Josephine loved to entertain. Their home was always open to their friends and their children’s friends. Jo was an excellent cook. Mealtime was important in the Stodalka household and there was always enough food for everyone. Friends, family and neighbours knew they were welcome at Jo’s table. However, they had to be ready to engage in animated and lively conversation.
Josephine was a woman of many talents. She was an excellent seamstress and gardener. She was a smart and competitive card player. She particularly loved to play bridge. An avid reader, she would regularly read into the wee hours of the night until the book was done.
She loved classical music and she had a beautiful singing voice. Jo led school and church choirs throughout her life. She played softball in her youth and she curled competitively for many years. Her Maple Creek curling team competed in the Saskatchewan Provincial Senior Women’s finals.
Bill and Jo were devoted Liberals. She was a great help to federal and provincial Liberal candidates in Saskatchewan and Alberta. She was always involved in the C.W.L. wherever she lived and served as president of the C.W.L. for many years.
In the eyes of her children, Josephine’s most important gift was being a mother. They knew and experienced her constant and unconditional love. Her temperament, her values and her unwavering belief in her children benefited them in every way. When the grandchildren came along, they, too, experienced the same love and affection.
Josephine valued education. When Bill worked at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon in the late 1980s, Josephine decided she wanted to take the university classes necessary to obtain her Bachelor of Education Degree. Her convocation ceremony in 1989 at 56 years of age was a proud moment for the entire family.
Josephine was a resilient woman. Her life, though blessed in so many ways was not without its emotional tragedies as she buried two of her children. Her second child, Susan, died shortly after her birth in 1957 and her youngest son, Paul, who was just starting his legal career in Calgary, died in a car accident in 1990 while he was going on a ski trip to Fernie, BC.
Bill and Jo moved to Medicine Hat in 1990 where Jo spent her retirement years. In the summer months, guests to Josephine’s and Bill’s house on the aptly named Iris Court always enjoyed a tour of her garden to see all her beautiful flowers.
She and Bill traveled extensively all around the world during these later years, and they particularly liked ocean cruises. Her twenty-fourth cruise was her last. She was transported by air ambulance to Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami, Florida where she died on February 18, 2020.
Josephine was a woman of deep faith and she was a soft touch when it came to donating to charities. Jo donated generously to charities every month. Her favourite was Operation Smile, so fitting for a woman who devoted so much to the wellbeing and happiness of others.
Her memory is lovingly cherished by her husband, Bill, their children Tim (Leslie), John (Marilyn), Murray and Kathy (Norm Nicolet), Marcia Stodalka and Janice Stodalka. She is also survived by her 13 grandchildren: Erin (Josh Cornet), Mark (Angela Speers), Bill (Ariel Langgard), Josie (Gregg Lewis), Drew (Avery Buye), Anderson (Andrea Gould), Jacqui, Kassia (Justin Wollin), Rose, Paul, Thomas, John Mark and Luc and her five great-grandchildren so far: Paige, Seth, Allison, Samuel and Tully. Also left to cherish her memory are her sisters: Rosemarie/Sr. Teresita, Carol Sproul, Dolores Stodalka (Ken Reynolds), Audrey (Keith) Eslinger and her sister-in-law, Pamela Kambeitz; her brothers George (Jean), Jerry (Agneta) and Peter (Lynda) Sereda and all of their wonderful families. Memories of Josephine will also be treasured by her sister-in-law, Dolores McCarthy and the rest of the McCarthy clan on the West Coast. She was predeceased by her parents, Frank and Theresa Kambeitz, her brother, Ben Kambeitz, her in-laws, Jack and Alice Stodalka, her brothers-in-law, Don Stodalka and Brian McCarthy, her daughter Susan (1957) and her son Paul (1990).
Vigil Prayers will be recited at Cook Southland Funeral Chapel, 901-13th Street SW, Medicine Hat on Friday, February 28th, 2020 at 7:00 pm. A Memorial Mass honouring Josephine’s life will be celebrated at Holy Family Parish, 1451 Strachan Road SE, Medicine Hat on Saturday, February 29th at 11:00 am with Father Vijaya Bathineni celebrant. Private interment will take place at a future date.
Although Jo loved them, flowers are gratefully declined. If you wish, donations can be made in Jo’s name to Operation Smile or other charities of your choice.
She was the glue that held our family together. She will be forever missed.
Love is eternal.
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Ken Sauer:
Feb 19, 2020 at 05:47 PM
Bill and family,
I was devastated when I read about the passing of Josephine.
From the time you, she, and I attended Teachers College to today, she has been a vibrant individual, always so positive about life and the community. She also was a great wife and companion to you Bill, and a kind and caring mother and grandmother.
My thoughts and prayers will be with you in the days and weeks ahead.
Josephine, Rest in Peace!
Ken
Shirley Gnam:
Feb 20, 2020 at 03:27 PM
Bill & family;
Sorry to hear of Josephine’s passing . She was a very special person. Will remember Joe & the numerous curling games we had over the years. Condolences to Bill & the family. God Bless.
Shirley & family
Margaret Devine:
Feb 23, 2020 at 08:48 PM
To Bill and the Stodalka family.
I was so sorry to hear of Jo's death. She will be sadly missed by all who knew her. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Love and God bless
Margaret
Heather Lazzer:
Feb 24, 2020 at 10:20 AM
Our thoughts are with you Bill and your family. I so enjoyed curling and golfing with Jo and how she loved to share her yard and gardens with us.
She was a great neighbor to the Connaught community and she will be missed.
Brian and Heather Lazzer
Gena Hoffer:
Feb 25, 2020 at 10:31 AM
My thoughts are with you Kathy and your entire family. I was so sad to hear about your moms passing. I have so many fond memories of your mom while growing up on Marsh St. Your mom welcomed everyone into your home and she always made sure we were well fed! I think of her Butterhorns and Porcupine meatballs often... she always had pizza dough ready in the freezer for impromptu late night meals. I can still hear her telling Kathy to practice her piano.... I would sit in the kitchen and visit with her while Kathy practiced.
So many special moments to remember and hold close.
She certainly will be missed by all.
Bill & Janet Albrecht:
Feb 25, 2020 at 11:45 AM
Bill & family,
Our deepest sympathy in the passing of your dear wife, mother & grandmother;
Josephine leaves us with fond memories as a most humble, kind, caring person and though
we didn't see other often, she had a way of making you feel important.
Shirley Helmerson:
Feb 25, 2020 at 01:25 PM
Bill and family
I was so sorry to read about Jo. What a wonderful person. Her energy, commitment, and enthusiasm were an inspiration. I am sure she was responsible for starting the band program in Maple Creek schools and encouraging many young musicians. Her ready smile and laugh will be fondly remembered.
John Kunz:
Feb 25, 2020 at 03:40 PM
Bill & Family,
My deep condolences on the passing of Josephine. Her contributions and fostered friendships in Richmound and other communities in which you both worked and resided will be fondly remembered and appreciated by many friends and people at large.
My thoughts are with you.
John
Don & Maggie Fleck:
Feb 25, 2020 at 06:24 PM
Sincere sympathies to you Bill and all of your families.
Also condolences to all of the Kambeitz siblings & their families.
May she rest in peace.
She went on her heavenly cruise!!
Elaine Wiedemann:
Feb 25, 2020 at 10:37 PM
Dear family of Josephine,
My sympathy and condolences on the passing of Josephine. I will always remember her wonderful hospitality. My thoughts and prayers are with you as you celebrate her life on Saturday. With love and friendship-Elaine Wiedemann
Kathy (Hellman) Carter:
Feb 26, 2020 at 04:09 PM
My condolences to the Stodalka and Kambeitz families. Josephine was a lovely kind lady...she taught me music and Home Ec at Richmound School. Such a loss to your family.
Cathy Covey Chapman:
Feb 27, 2020 at 09:25 AM
Bill,
You and all your family are in my thoughts and in my prayers. I am so very sorry for the loss of this wonderful and dear lady who was so very special to all who knew her. Jo will surely be greatly missed and I hope you find comfort in knowing she rests in God's arms and in His infinite love.
Cathy
Cory and Jackie Schell:
Feb 27, 2020 at 01:38 PM
Our family sends heartfelt condolences to Bill, and all of Josephine's Family. I really enjoyed the conversation I had with her when I saw her at the Medicine Hat Curling rink, when she was there watching John curl. She was an amazing lady!! Hugs to you all!!
Dean Haubrich:
Feb 27, 2020 at 09:41 PM
My deepest heartfelt condolences to you Bill & your family. Josephine or as I would say, Mrs. Stodalka was like a adopted mother to me. The half dozen years I spent in Maple Creek are filled with so many great memories. I would be either be waiting for Paul to finish cutting the lawn or for Kathy to finish up Piano practise so we could head out to a ball game or Cypress Hill Park, either way there was always a big smile, the offer of a cool lemonade and some interesting and lively conversation. Jo could talk to anyone... she not only made you feel comfortable, but she made you feel that what you had to say was so very important and worthwhile. She was the most positive person I have ever known. She loved her family dearly, and taught her children well. I know she touched the lives of many as she did mine.
You will never be forgotten.
Dean
The Haubrich and Moroz Families:
Feb 27, 2020 at 11:13 PM
Mr. Stodalka, Kathy, Tim, John, Murray and families,
Our sincere condolences to all of you and your families. We have many fond memories of your wife, mom, grandmother and great grandmother. She was such a kind and generous woman with an amazing smile and an infectious “chuckle”. She always welcomed guests with open arms and ensured we were well fed. We hope that in the difficult days ahead you will be comforted by your fond memories of time spent with her. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Perry, Greg, Mara-Lee and our families.
Ron and Karen Reimer:
Feb 28, 2020 at 08:50 PM
Our sincere condolences on the passing of your mother. It's even harder to let someone go that has been with you your entire life. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you, Marilyn and family during this heartfelt time. Keep her memory with you, sincerely, Ron & Karen
Rose and Norm Stepan:
Feb 28, 2020 at 09:43 PM
We are so sad that our vibrant and talented cousin is no longer with us. We so much enjoyed our cruise with you two as well as her phone calls and letters. our thoughts and prayers have been with the Stodalka and Kambeitz families. during these past two weeks. We are sorry we can't be at the services this weekend. Love and continued prayers from us. Norm and Rose
Sharon & Ron Getz:
Feb 29, 2020 at 08:55 PM
Condolences to you Bill and family! I enjoyed volunteering with Josephine at CWL events and also at our services in Chinook Village. She was a special person and a good roll model. God bless her as she enjoys her new life in heaven. May he also bless you Bill and your families and give you strength to deal with your sorrow.
Donna and Hitoshi Saito:
Mar 03, 2020 at 11:08 PM
Mr. Stodalka, Kathy, Tim, John and Murray
Our deep condolence to you and your families. Having Kathy as a dear friend, I had the opportunity to spend time with your wife/mother. She was always so cheerful, positive, welcoming and fun to be with. Even though half a world away, my thoughts and prayers are with you.
Donna
Margaret Adamson (Kunz):
Mar 07, 2020 at 04:08 PM
My sincere condolences, Bill, to you and your family. I warmly remember Jospehine as my Home Economics teacher and for the times that you both offered our family support when Dad, Mom and Larry passed away. Her obituary speaks to the many things and ways she gave to her loved ones and the people whose lives she became a part of. My thoughts are with you.