DUSIK, Jolana

September 17, 1932 — February 16, 2024

It is with a profound sense of loss and broken hearts that we announce the passing of Jolana Dusik, loving wife, mother and “Nanna” to her grandchildren. A caring soul, truly committed to her Roman Catholic faith, has been called home to be with her beloved Mary and Jesus, and to be reunited with family and friends who have gone to heaven before her. Jolana is survived by daughters Laurie (Bert Mueller) and Terri (Martin Sask); sons Greg (Lori Hutchinson) and James (Kate); and grandchildren Branden, Hailee, Travis, and James Jr.  Jolana is also survived by her brother, Joe; and sisters Anne Augustin, Mary Betker and Jenny Krizak; as well as her brother-in-law, Vick Dusik (Jude); sisters-in-law Joyce Dusik and Marilyn Dusik; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Jolana was born in Pobedim, Slovakia on September 17, 1932. At the age of four, she immigrated with her family to Canada. They eventually settled in the town of Dufresne, Manitoba, where they purchased their family farm. Jolana was educated in a one room country school to grade 8 and then had to go to boarding school in Winnipeg in order to attend high school. Her love of learning and natural curiosity led her to pursue higher education, and she graduated with her teaching certificate from the Manitoba Normal School in 1951. Jolana met the love of her life, Jerry, at a wedding in Winnipeg before going off to teach for a term in Ontario. When she returned to Manitoba, she worked at a one room country school where she taught three of her own sisters. She began dating Jerry in 1953, and they were married in 1955. They spent the first two years of their marriage living in a two room teacherage in Rosewood, Manitoba while Jolana taught at the school. She continued to teach in Winnipeg until they welcomed their first child, Laurie, in 1959. They then moved to Oak Bluff, where they built their first home, and had three more children, Greg, James, and Terri. Jolana focused her attention on raising her children and growing a very impressive garden that kept the family well fed year-round. Being a full-time mom, she made sure that her children had a well-rounded education with exposure to many extracurricular activities and lessons. In 1975, Jolana returned to teaching as the Grade 4 teacher at St. John Brebeuf Catholic elementary school in Winnipeg, with Terri in her initial class. The family moved to BC in 1979 and settled in the South Surrey area. Jolana and Jerry retired to Kelowna in 1992.

Even though Jolana gave up her formal teaching role in 1979, as a consummate educator she enjoyed passing on many life lessons and skills to those around her. Jolana was an exceptional baker and cook, and she was happy to teach anyone who expressed an interest how to make delicious meals and treats, or pass on her treasured recipes. She was also a phenomenal hostess, and many friends and family members have very fond memories of wonderful gatherings at her home.

While family was always central to Jolana’s thoughts, it was her faith that guided her. A devout Catholic all of her life, she really put her faith into action when she and Jerry moved to Kelowna. First as members of Holy Spirit Parish, and then as a member of the Immaculate Conception Church family – Jolana was a member of the Catholic Women’s League, and she and Jerry were also members of Mission of the Immaculata and Eucharistic Ministers. Jolana was also a strong proponent of volunteering your time to help others, first as a Cub Scout leader in Winnipeg, as a Birthright volunteer in Surrey, and by doing hospital visitations in Surrey and Kelowna. But what she enjoyed the most was marrying her volunteering spirit with being a Eucharistic Minister, and bringing communion to Catholics in various senior’s residences throughout Kelowna. Jolana and Jerry continued to do this well into their 80s, and could often be heard saying they were bringing communion to the “old folks”, even though many of the people they served were younger than them! Jolana always encouraged everyone to volunteer their time, and pray until they could pray no more.

Jolana was predeceased by her loving husband of 63 years, Jerry; her sisters Lydia Watson and Josie Cole; her brothers-in-law Rudy Dusik, Ervin Dusik, Joe Dusik, Al Watson, Louis Augustin, Arnie Betker, Robert Rasmussen and Wayne Cole; her sisters-in-law Audrey Krizak and Doreen Dusik; and sadly by her infant granddaughter, Shannen Sask. Jolana was also predeceased by her parents, Anthony and Josephine Krizak, and her in-laws, James and Florence Dusik.

Prayers will be held at 7:00 pm on WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2024, at IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CATHOLIC CHURCH, 839 Sutherland Avenue, Kelowna, BC.
The Mass of Christian Burial (funeral mass) will follow at 11:00 am on THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 2024. Reception to follow immediately after the service in the Church hall. If you are unable to attend in person, please join the family online by Livestream at the time of the service (see below), a recording will be made available to view shortly thereafter.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Chalice Canada. Or, better yet, make a commitment to volunteer for your favourite charity or community organization, as that would truly make Jolana happy.

If you wish to send a condolence, post photos, or share a memory, please scroll down the page to the area called “Condolences”.

LIVESTREAM:

Service Details

The prayer service for DUSIK, Jolana is scheduled for 7:00 pm on WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2024 at located at 839 Sutherland Ave, Kelowna, BC.

The service for DUSIK, Jolana is scheduled for 11:00 am on THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 2024. Below you will find the map for the service location and the contact information should you have any questions.

Address & Contact for Service Location:

IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CHURCH

839 Sutherland Ave Kelowna, BC

Phone:

---

Special Requests:

None.

---

Funeral Pointers: