Rita Kurja
March 27, 1922 – May 6, 2017

The passing of Rita Kurja (nee Hamelin) of St. Michael’s Haven, Cudworth, SK occurred on Saturday, May 6, 2017 at Royal University Hospital, Saskatoon, SK.  She was 95 years of age.  Rita Lucienne (nee Hamelin) Kurja was born on March 27, 1922 at Montmartre, SK, the sixth child of Ozias and Stella (nee O’Shaughnessy) Hamelin.  She attended school at Upper Wakefield, five miles south of Montmartre SK.  In the late 1930’s she moved into town from the farm, and in 1940 left for the city of Regina. On May 29, 1944 Rita married John Kurja at the Sacred Heart Church in Regina, SK. In 1946 Rita and John started farming at St. Benedict, SK.  Rita moved to St. Michael’s Haven in Cudworth, SK in 2011 and resided there until her passing on May 6, 2017.  Rita is survived by her daughter Yvonne (Leon) Leuschen and family, Monique (Cliff) Olynyk and their children Jordan and Kali; Janice (Garth) Hupper;  Dale (Erin) Leuschen and their son Hayden; daughter-in-law Colleen Kurja and family, Patrick; Trevor (Jessica Reid) and their children Jayda and Jemma;  Matthew.  Rita was predeceased by her parents Ozias and Stella (nee O’Shaughnessy) Hamelin; her husband John; son Johnny; five brothers; and three sisters.  A Funeral Mass was offered at St. Benedict Roman Catholic Church, St. Benedict SK on Friday, May 12, 2017 at 11:00 a.m., celebrated by Fr. Colin Roy.  Others taking part were:  Patrick Kurja, crossbearer; Monique Olynyk and Janice Hupper, scripture readers; Patrick Kurja and Dale Leuschen, intentions; Trevor Kurja and Monique Olynyk, giftbearers; Matthew Kurja, urnbearer.  Interment followed at St. Benedict Roman Catholic Cemetery, St. Benedict, SK.  Memorial donations may be directed to St. Benedict Roman Catholic Cemetery Fund or St. Michael’s Haven, Cudworth, SK.

This Notice Is Courtesy Of
Schuler-Lefebvre Funeral Chapel Humboldt, Saskatchewan
(306-682-4114)