Ethel Petras

It is with great sadness that the family of Ethel Petras, wife of the late David Petras, and partner to the late Donny Kowaski, announce her passing on January 6, 2022 at the Preeceville Long Term Care Centre. She was 70 years of age.

There will be a family funeral service on Saturday, January 15, 2022 at 2:00 pm. Relatives and friends wishing to support the family may view a livestream of the service by clicking on the livestream button below.

Interment will follow in the Hazel Dell Cemetery.

Memorials made towards funeral expenses would be gratefully appreciated by the family.

Ethel was born on April 30, 1951 to Selma (Reinson) and Harry Barber in Preeceville Hospital.  She was raised on the Barber Family Farm near Hazel Dell where her son Clint and his family live today.

Ethel attended Shastesbury School and then High School in Sturgis, where she graduated.  After graduation, Ethel lived with her parents and worked as a teacher’s aide at the Shastesbury School for a number of years.  She also worked at the local mink ranch during this time. 

On December 1, 1973, Ethel married her high school sweetheart, David Petras, and moved into their home in Hazel Dell.  During their first years of marriage Ethel enjoyed traveling with David and his band around the area. 

Ethel was always busy.  She stayed busy on the farm where she had milk cows and chickens that she cared for.  She would sell the cream and eggs to fellow community members.  Ethel was a skilled seamstress with lots of people bringing her items to be fitted and repaired.  David continued to farm on his family’s farm near Rama, where Ethel was always helping him.   She enjoyed spending time with David in the combine and hauling grain.  They were known to be a great team. 

In 1975 Ethel and David began their family with the birth of their son, Kurt, followed closely by Clint, in 1977 and then Kim, in 1979.  Ethel’s children will remember her as a fantastic mom that was devoted to their care, always having meals ready and making their home a welcoming place for friends to visit.  During these years David drove school bus.  He also toured with his band to support his family.

Sadly, in 1996, David passed away and Ethel was never the same.  She struggled through the years with the loss of her best friend.  Her sons, Kurt and Clint, did everything they could to support Ethel and their little sister, Kim, and to keep the family together.

Ethel began spending time with a family friend, Donny Kowaski.  As their relationship grew serious, Ethel moved out to Donny’s farm, south of Hazel Dell.  During this time, she worked at Peterson Auction Mart and then at the pig barns just down the road.  Along with Donny came his three kids, Jodi, Chad, and Wendy.  Ethel loved having a big family, and always looked forward to Donny’s kids coming for a visit from BC.  They made many memories over the years. 

As time passed, Ethel had a new love to devote her time to; her grandchildren.  She loved spending time with Trinity, Skylee, Sophie and Hannah, her son, Clint’s (Lorissa) children and her grandson, Porter George, her daughter, Kim’s son.  She made great memories with all of them.  Family get togethers were an exciting time, especially when the Kowaski crew came in the summer with all their kids. 

Ethel was diagnosed with cancer in 2020, and battled it till January 6, 2022.

Ethel will be lovingly remembered and greatly missed by her three children; Kurt (Aimee) of Hazel Dell, Clint (Lorissa) of Hazel Dell, and Kim of Preeceville, her step-children; Jodi (Danielle) Kowaski, Chad (Nadine) Kowaski, and Wendy (Darcey) Severiw of BC, as well as her grandchildren; Trinity, Skylee, Sophie, and Hannah Petras, and Porter George, and her six step-grandchildren; Wyatte, Magnum, Lyndon, Stella, Carter and Connor, and her siblings; Verna (Elgin) and Bill (Christy) as well as numerous nieces, nephews and friends.