Janet Helene Zemianski

Janet passed away peacefully on December 25, 2025 in the Morley House Personal Care Home in Shoal Lake, at the age of 88 years.

Left to cherish her memory are her husband Albert, son Rodney, daughter-in-law Julie, sisters Olive Matiation, Lillian Maximitch (Mal), Thelma Piercy (Wallace), and Sylvia Raginski, sister-in-law Phillis Skabar, and numerous nieces, nephews and their families.

She was predeceased by her parents Steve and Dora Sitko, sisters Marcia Sitko, Joyce Niznowski and husband Peter, brothers Mike Sitko and wife Sophie, Frank Sitko and wife Stella, John Sitko and wife Beth, father-in- law Alex Zemianski, mother-in-law Mary Zemianski, brother-in-laws Frank Matiation, Leonard Skabar, Bill Raginski, Ernie Zemianski and wife Darcy, sister-in-laws Lena Waverick and husband Stan, Cassie Korol and husband Walter.

Janet Helene Sitko was born on August 15, 1937 at home on the family farm near Seech, to Steve and Dora (Bachewich) Sitko.  She was the sixth of ten children.

Janet was raised in the St. John (Seech) and Oakburn area.  She attended the Roman Catholic Church in Oakburn and Rossburn.  She obtained her education at St. John School, and Elphinstone High School.

Janet first dated Albert when she was in high school. She would work the summers at Clear Lake, working at Dance Land, Park Theatre, or the Wigwam Restaurant.  They both had mutual friends and went to the same church.

In 1954, Albert purchased his farmland, which was the quarter section just east of the farm of Janet’s parents.  They became a couple and a year later they married on July 16, 1955.  They moved into Oakburn and began their life together. Their son Rodney was born March 04, 1956. 

As well as being a wife, mother and homemaker, she also became a kindergarten teacher when son Rodney started kindergarten in 1960. Her classroom was in the basement of the Oakburn High School. As a kindergarten teacher she was able to use her gifted artist skills, drawing Disney characters, and drawing numbers and alphabet letters for her pupils.  She worked as a kindergarten teacher for several years in the Pelly Trail school division. 

Around 1963, she left teaching, and worked for several business in Oakburn including:  Matiation General Store, and Michaylshyn Brothers General Store.   She also worked as a cook for Waverick Construction in 1965 and 1966 (Albert worked for his brother-in-law Stan (Lena) Waverick, building roads as an operator, and later on as the foreman, from 1954 to 1966). For a period of time starting in 1967, Janet worked for Steve Waytowich Insurance in Oakburn. 

In 1969, Janet left for Winnipeg to take her LPN training at Red River College and the Grace Hospital.  During this period she stayed with her sisters and in-laws that lived in the city. Janet would drive to Winnipeg every Sunday for a week of training, and then drive back home to her family on Friday. One can only imagine how busy she was during those 2 days at home on the weekends! A year later, at the age of 33 years, she fulfilled her dream of becoming a nurse. She spent 28 wonderful years working at the Shoal Lake Hospital. She retired from nursing in 1998. She held a high admiration for the girls she worked with, and always kept in touch with them, and always was so pleased to hear from them.

Janet was very active in a variety of clubs and organizations.  In earlier years she was involved in all the agricultural extension courses including; home design, foods, and sewing. Numerous volunteer hours were spent in the kitchen when the new rink and arena were constructed in Oakburn.  She was a 4-H leader for 42 years and thoroughly enjoyed working with children.  She was a member of the Oakburn Lions Club for many years, holding both secretary and president positions. She was presented a Melvin Jones Award in recognition of her involvement with the Lions Club. Her painted Disney characters were seen for many years in the Oakburn Lions Club Park.  She also took her turn on the Shoal Lake Hospital advisory committee.

Janet was a woman of many talents. She was a gifted artist that included sketching, painting, porcelain doll making, and ceramics.  She had a great skill in decorating, crocheting, knitting, petit point, sewing as well as cooking and baking.  She was a lover of books and spent countless hours reading.  She believed in achieving her very best and encouraged others to do the same.

Janet always had a meticulous yard and flower garden and enjoyed the outdoors. She worked diligently to ensure that no weeds were growing alongside her cherished flowers and vegetables. She had an avid interest in birdwatching, and was always happy to see the return of their Purple Martin colony.  She enjoyed swimming and aqua-sizing at Wendy Woychshyn’s indoor pool. She especially enjoyed her weekly golf games with the girls at the Shoal Lake golf course. Every winter she was busy curling (often as the Skip) with her teams on Tuesday and Wednesday in Shoal Lake, and entering as many bonspiels as possible. Walking and daily bicycling with close friend Annette Majko, as well as cross country skiing on Albert’s well groomed trails kept her physically active.

Texas hold ‘em poker games were thoroughly enjoyed with good friend Karen Bergeson and their Onanole friends.

Janet and Albert enjoyed camping, boating, fishing and entertaining/visiting at Seech Lake in their trailer or motor home, from their Oakburn Game and Fish lot. Many special friends and memories were made at Seech Lake. 

Every summer for a week, they would go camping and fishing with family and friends to Lake of the Prairies.  When fishing was slow they would pick wild cranberries by the pail full.  Several trips were to Cranberry Portage, visiting with her sister Joyce and husband Peter, where they fished and harvested wild rice.  Fishing at Dauphin Lake with friends Calvin and Susan was always something to look forward to.  

Janet and Albert took a trip in their motor home to the east coast when the Confederation Bridge was opened, and also to west coast to visit friends and family. They took numerous trips and cruises (Alaska, Panama Canal) which were always enjoyed. Many of their adventures were shared with Leonard and Evelyn Sitko.  Family and friends were very important to her.  She would call Rod and Julie almost daily, just to say Hello, and make it known that they were loved. Janet regularly called family members and friends to check in on them.

Janet and Albert were married for over 70 years. There was a come and go tea held in July 2025 in Oakburn to celebrate the incredible milestone. They both loved music, dancing, entertaining and travelling.

                              Remember her with smiles and laughter.

                                        - Card of Thanks –

There are so many people to thank when a family deals with the loss of a loved one. Firstly, to all friends, family, and neighbours who called and visited, sent cards, flowers, food, and goodies, or made donations, we are grateful for you actions.  To Father Jose Cabral and his heartwarming visits at the PCH and words of wisdom. To Father Paul Bisson from St.Theresa’s Parish in Rossburn. Mom absolutely loved your guitar playing and singing during mass. Rick Thom and staff from Rae’s Funeral Service, and to David Klassen of Braendle-Bruce Funeral Service who helped in making Mom’s final arrangements so much easier. We send our eternal gratitude to all the staff at the Morley House Personal Care Home.  Although Mom wasn’t under your love and care for a very long time, you all became her extended family.  Your care, compassion, and concern were obvious every day and will never be forgotten. Whatever your role was, we are grateful to you. An extra thank you to Cheryl Rupa, Client Care Coordinator, Adrian Belinski, Home Care Coordinator, Tanja Radford, N.P. and Cathy Scofield-Singh, N.P. If there is anyone that we might have forgotten to recognize, please be assured that we are so very grateful to everyone who played a part, big or small, in Mom’s life. At the exact same time that we are grateful to the care that Janet received while living at the Morley House PCH, we are equally grateful for the care and compassion shown to Albert who continues to reside there.

From the Zemianski Family