Dolly Kulcheski

Dolly Kulcheski, of Dauphin Personal Care Home, formerly of Gilbert Plains, passed away on Wednesday, September 5, 2018 at the age of eighty-seven.

Dolly was born June 20, 1931 to Nick and Verna Palaniuk.  In 1937 Dolly turned six and ventured off to Brookview School.  She attended Brookview for six years.  She had to walk a mile and a half from home to school daily.  During winter months she resided with my Aunt and Uncle, Lena and Bill Smetenuik, and then she was much closer to school.  Dolly was afraid to go to school so hit behind a woodpile at her Aunt's and Uncle's home.  She however endured school and used egg whites for glue and a piece of old shoe heel which worked well for an eraser.

She married Peter Kulcheski on Nov 6, 1949.  He was employed as a plumber and school bus driver. Dolly worked at Gilbert Plains hospital for 2 years.  Family moved to Dauphin in 1968. Dolly worked extremely hard as a full time housewife along with part time positions that were at Dauphin Bakery as a short order cook, then worked Grange Cafe in the kitchen and then worked at the Dauphin Bus Depot as a cook and Peter worked full time with plumbing and heating.  Dolly and Peter also took in boarders.  Dolly looked after elderly people as well as native boys from Northern Manitoba that attended school in Dauphin for approximately 8 years.  Dolly also cooked at Kid's camp as a cook in Bield, Mb.

Dolly and Peter were blessed with 5 children.   Shirl, David, Brenda, Curtis and LeeAnne and adopted a granddaughter Penny. Dolly had 7 Grandchildren and 8 Great Grandchildren. Shirl was blessed with a daughter Penny and a Son Jason.  While David was married to Ann Fedkiw and they were blessed with a daughter Jennifer and a son Kelly. Brenda was married Gary Bean and divorced.  She then met and married Allan Grills who is from Australia. Brenda was blessed with two daughters Tara and Kathryn. While Curtis was married to Kathryn Spencer and they were blessed with 2 boys Cody and Drew.

Curtis, after being divorced, met and married Heidi Istchenko and adopted Eli.  Penny married Joe Roulette and is currently separated.  LeeAnne remained single.

Dolly enjoyed her cooking, baking, crocheting, veggie gardening and spending time with children and animals.  She enjoyed planting flowers at the care home.

Dolly was a soft hearted individual that was always available to help and encourage.  Dolly would make food for pot luck dinners and showers at Bethel Tabernacle which she attended and New Life Ministries in Dauphin. 

Dolly had some health issues.  Stroke, diabetes, osteoarthritis, and gout.   She moved to the Dauphin Personal Care home about 11 years ago.  She made many good friends there.  The staff were quite fond of her.  Always a “thank you sweetheart" would come out of her month. She was famous for giving bear hugs to family and staff at the care home.    She was active in taking bus trips to Clear Lake.  She took part in perogy making, bingo, and gardening as well as her crocheting of afghans.  She also enjoyed having her fingernails and toes painted when she received footcare.

Unfortunately Dolly took a couple falls over the past month in the care home which slowed her down.  No matter what she still kept her strong faith in God.  She would say Holy Jesus....so everything will be good.  That kept her talking to the Lord and remaining positive. 

Over the last month she endured more health issues and the good Lord decided to take her home on Sept 5, 2018.

I am sure she was welcomed with open arms.  Predeceased family both her parents Nick and Verna Palaniuk, two siblings Marjorie Ganczar and Clifford Palaniuk, a Grandson Kelly Kulcheski and a special Cousin Annie Blander.