Obituary of Lena Walters

June 28, 1926 – April 3, 2018

Lena passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 3, 2018 with family by her side.

Born and raised on the family farm near Ormiston, SK, Lena was one of ten children born to Steve and Mary Christbason. The hardworking family was close-knit and happy. To help support the family, Lena and her sister Mary left school early and moved to Gravelbourg, SK to work as nurses’ aides at St. Joseph’s Hospital.

In 1948, Lena met Gabriel Walters at a wedding dance and they soon married.  The couple moved to the family farm near Kayville, SK and started their family there.  They eventually moved to Regina where they grew their family to five children.

Lena was a quiet and humble woman who took joy in her family and her home life.  She was a long-time, devoted member of St. George Romanian Orthodox Cathedral and drew strength and inspiration from the Sunday services. Lena enjoyed the companionship of her fellow church members, sang in the choir and cooked and baked for numerous church events over the years.

Lena was a talented seamstress. She sewed many intricate items, including the wedding gown for her beloved daughter-in-law Donna. Lena made clothing for her husband and children and did expert alterations for family and friends. She enjoyed crocheting and made beautiful blankets and baby clothes.  Lena was an excellent baker, and made the best cabbage rolls, perogies, beef stew, and creamed chicken.  No matter what was on hand, she could whip up a meal in minutes if one of her kids or grandkids dropped by.  Easter was Lena’s most special time of year and she would bake and cook for days preparing her family’s Easter Sunday meal.

In later life, Lena’s health deteriorated so that she could no longer maintain her home. Her last years were spent at Extendicare Parkside in Regina, where she received excellent care. Although this wasn’t the path Lena had expected to follow, she believed it was God’s plan for her and accepted it with grace.

Lena was predeceased by her husband Gabriel; parents, Mary and Steve; brothers, Steve and Johnny; and sisters, Pearl, Jeannie, and infant Shirley. She is survived by her children, Lorraine, Larry, Darrell (Brenda), Sharon (John Charlton), and Aaron (Lisa); along with ten grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren.  Lena is also survived by her sisters, Mary Moldovan and Eleanor White; brothers, George Christbason, (Shirley) and William Christbason (Wendy); along with many nieces and nephews.

The family would like to send heartfelt thanks to the staff at Extendicare Parkside, who provided compassionate care for Lena for close to five years. Sincere thanks also to the staff of the Palliative Care unit at the Pasqua Hospital for making Lena’s final days peaceful and dignified.

Visitation will be held at Speers Funeral Chapel, 2136 College Avenue, Regina, SK on Friday, April 13, 2018 at 7:00 p.m. Funeral Service will be held at St. George Romanian Orthodox Cathedral, 2005 Edgar Street, Regina, SK on Saturday, April 14, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. with Fr. Emmanuel Cristian Frunzulica officiating.  Interment to follow at Riverside Memorial Park Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, a donation to Parkside Resident Programs, 4540 Rae Street, Regina, SK S4S 3B4, would be appreciated.