Petrina (Folwark) German

     Petrina was born on July 2, 1925, to Nykola and Tatania Folwark on the homestead west of Endeavour. She was the sixth of 13 children. Petrina attended Lilian Rural School completing grade 6. Turning 13, she was needed at home to help care for her younger siblings.

     Petrina met John German at local dances and they were married on November 15, 1942, at St. Mary’s Church near the farm. John and Petrina lived for a few years on his father, Peter’s farm, 9 miles east of Endeavour before purchasing a quarter section of land across the road from his brother George’s farm. A small log house on site, was replaced with a new house in 1952. It was there that John and Petrina raised their 3 sons and 2 daughters, William, Ronald, Marianne, Judith, and Eugene.

     Daily living held many hardships with no running water, electricity, or telephone until the 1960’s. Petrina tended two wood fires for heat, cooking and baking, grew huge vegetable gardens for food, canning and preserving it. She raised chickens, pigs and sheep, milked cows and shipped cream for extra income. Farm chores required strength and resilience., Petrina sewed clothing, washed, carded and spun their sheep’s wool for knitting mitts, socks, sweaters and her hands made many wool quilts as well. This was all done while raising a young family.

     Petrina practiced a lifelong, steadfast faith in God. Sunday was truly a day of rest and the family attended services at the rural Ukrainian Orthodox Church. Christmas and Easter were observed according to the Julian Calendar and celebrated with fabulous food and large family gatherings.

     The farm home always entertained many visitors. Neighbours and friends gathered for card games in winter and ball games in summer. Relatives from a large extended family visited often.

     Petrina and John loved to dance and after a hard day’s work on the farm, great pleasure was derived from a night’s dancing at the many community wedding and anniversary celebrations.

     Widowed at age 59, Petrina moved to Preeceville in 1985. She increased her independence obtaining her driver’s license and her 1978 Blue Dodge was driven locally until 4 years ago.

     Petrina made many new friendships during the 38 years of living in her own home. She was active in the Club 60 Seniors, Ukrainian Choir, and local church. Her love of gardening, cooking, and baking continued. Her pies, perogies, cabbage rolls, dill pickles and intricately braided Kolachi and Paska breads were legendary.

     With helpful neighbours and attentive family members, Petrina was blessed in being able to live in her own home until the end of her life. Her family now span 5 generations with 14 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren.

     Petrina was predeceased by her husband, John in 1984; grandson, Lane in 2010; and son Eugene in 2015.

     She is survived by her four children, William (Greta) German, Ron (Donna) German, Marianne (Hugh) Brennan, and Judith (Wade) Karcha.