Dorothy Tokarz, late of Weyburn, passed away suddenly on March 20, 2013, at the age of 80 years. Dorothy was predeceased by her parents, Paul and Ida Novenski; three sisters: Margaret Novenski, Annie Bahnuick and Mary Vilcu; three brothers: Harry, Joe and Paul Novenski. Dorothy is survived by her husband of 57 years, Joe Tokarz, Weyburn; her children: Blaine Tokarz (Karen), Griffin, Sharan (Glenn) Walkeden, Tribune; four grandchildren; sisters and brothers-in-law: Theresia Novenski, Regina, Phil Novenski, Regina, Nick Vilcu, Midale, Valerie (George) Schaefer, Regina as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Dorothy was born at Steelman on August 4, 1932 to Paul and Ida Novenski. At the age of two her parents and four of her seven brothers and sisters moved to Griffin in 1934. At first they lived in the old bunkhouse and then moved over to the old CNR Station. When winters were cold and roads were blocked so that cars couldn't get through to Weyburn, people came from Innes and Talmage by train and stayed all day. Her mother, Ida Novenski with her heart of gold and her good cooking, would feed them until the train time at the station which would take them to Weyburn. One sad day in 1947, their mother passed away, and with only Paul and four children at home, the girls soon learned to cook, sew, work and care for themselves. Dorothy went to school at Griffin and did babysitting for a while after she finished school and at an early age went to work for families as a housekeeper. There she learned a lot from those ladies and they were like a mother to her. In 1953, she went to work in Regina at Woolworth's store and lived with Joe and Theresia for $25.00 a month, cheap rent and a good home. It was there in 1955, that Dorothy met Joe Tokarz and they were married at Griffin. Joe and Dorothy made their first home on the farm with no running water or telephone and a coal wood stove. The house was so cold that water froze on the floors. Their son Blaine was born there and in 1958 they moved to the old Anderson house in the town of Griffin where their daughter Sharon was born. Joe commuted to the farm for a while and then they built a new house on the farm in July 1972, and had all the comforts of home. In 1993, they moved to Weyburn to enjoy their retirement. They liked to go to the casinos around the countryside. Dorothy enjoyed gardening, knitting, cooking, sewing, curling, quilting, walking, hauling grain, farming and loved to visit with eveyone. Prayers were held on Sunday, March 24 at 7:00 p.m. from RD Family Funeral Chapel, Weyburn. Funeral Mass for Dorothy was held on Monday, March 25 at 10:30 a.m. from St. Vincent de Paul Roman Catholic Church, Weyburn with Fr. Gerry Bauche, celebrant. Interment followed at Hillcrest Cemetery, Weyburn. Active Pallbearers were Richard Schaefer, Vernon Schaefer, Joe Vilcu, Mark Vilcu, Garry Bahnuick and Kenny Bahnuick. For family and friends so wishing, donations in memory of Dorothy may be made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Saskatchewan, 279 3rd Avenue N., Saskatoon, SK S7K 2H8. Arrangements were entrusted to RD Family Funeral Chapel & Crematorium, Weyburn (306-848-0333 ~ 1-888-848-0333). Expressions of sympathy to the family may be sent to our website at www.rdfamilymemorialchapel.com "Our family serving your family"
