Geraldine Catherine Dosch (née Roenspies)
April 23, 1929 - February 27, 2024 (94 years)
With sadness, the family of Geraldine announces her passing on Tuesday, February 27, 2024, at the Quill Plains Centennial Lodge, Watson, SK. Geraldine was delivered into this world by Dr Goluboff at the Lake Lenore hospital. She was the third eldest of nine children born to Frank and Eleanora (née Voelk) Roenspies. Geraldine attended Leavenworth, a one room schoolhouse, through Grade 8 and took Grade 9 by correspondence. Geraldine never minded walking to and from school, except in the springtime when the garter snakes would be plentiful on “Grandpa Voelk’s Hill”. She described her childhood as growing up more of a “trapper’s daughter” than a “farmer’s daughter”. Geraldine stayed home and helped raise her younger brothers and sisters. On October 4,1949 she married Carl at St James Church. The Grandpa Ed Meyer homestead, northwest of Annaheim, became their home. There she and Carl raised a family of seven children. Having been schooled in the Art of Homemaking from childhood, Geraldine dedicated her whole life to this vocation. At the age of 44yrs Geraldine became a grandmother. Her immediate response was “Grandma? I don’t know if I’m ready to be called Grandma!” It would be another decade before Geraldine was ready to show the world her grandma hair. Her grandchildren arrived in rapid succession and over the next 15 years Geraldine was blessed with 18 grandchildren. That generation has since married, and visits from her great-grandchildren would bring Geraldine joy in life’s later years. From an early age, Geraldine expressed her creativity through sewing. As a child she designed patterns for her doll clothes. As a young woman she sewed dresses for her sisters and baby clothes for her youngest siblings. Once she became a mother, she sewed steadily for her growing family making sure everyone had a “Sunday best” outfit to wear. When all the family had fledged Geraldine embraced the art of quilting. She made quilts for all of her children, then created a quilt for each of her grandchildren as a Grade XII graduation gift: now special heirlooms. Geraldine treasured the simplicity of life on the farm. She took pride in her garden and in her cooking. She was renowned for her delicious meals and in later years for her yummy cookies. All her life had been centered around family and nothing brought her more joy than time spent with family. Geraldine and Carl participated in the many activities the hamlet of Annaheim offered. They regularly attended Sunday Mass at St Ann’s Church which anchored their faith. They helped fund raise for the church and the community through fall suppers, pancake breakfasts, bazaars, and quilt raffles. Geraldine was also an active member of the CWL, taking her turn as president. With the arrival of the New Horizons, Geraldine took up bowling and even earned a medal. In the fall of 2016 with Carl’s health declining, Geraldine left her beloved farm life and moved to Caleb in Humboldt, SK. Carl’s death the following year, after 68 years of marriage, was a crushing blow for Geraldine but she found comfort in the companionship of her sister Cora (Jerome) who became her social convenor for card playing. Just three weeks ago Geraldine moved to the Watson Lodge, where she received loving care to the end. Geraldine is survived by: her children: Gwendolyn (Gilbert) Fagnou, Lionel (Mary Anne) Dosch, Carleen (Gregory) Wallace, Leland (Lori) Dosch, Fay (Murray) Doepker, and Gordon Dosch; 16 grandchildren and their spouses; and her many beloved great grandchildren. She is predeceased by: her husband Carl; her daughter Jane; her babies Rosalie and Ardean; her grandsons Jeff and Todd; her parents Frank and Eleanora (née Voelk) Roenspies, and her brother Ben Roenspies. The Prayer Service for Geraldine was held on Sunday, March 3, 2024, at 8:00 p.m. at St. Ann’s Roman Catholic Church, Annaheim, SK, Robert Deutsch, prayer vigil leader and Fr. Prosper Abotsi, presider. The Funeral Mass was held on Monday, March 4, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. also at St. Ann’s Roman Catholic Church, celebrated by Fr. Prosper Abotsi. Others taking part were: Matthew Dosch, cross bearer; Logan Dosch and Isabella Fagnou, altar servers; Fay Doepker and Gwen Fagnou, scripture readers; Leland Dosch, intentions; Stella Torrio, Lily Hosegood and Amelia Yung, gift bearers; and St. Ann’s Parish Choir, music ministry. Pall bearers were John Fagnou, Mitchell Deutsch, Robert Deutsch, Devin Wallace, Carl Dosch, Lyle Dosch. Interment took place at St. Ann’s Roman Catholic Cemetery, Annaheim, SK, followed by a memorial luncheon at the Annaheim Hall. Memorial donations may be directed to St. Ann’s Roman Catholic Cemetery Fund (P.O. Box 120, Annaheim, SK, S0K 0G0) or Quill Plains Centennial Lodge (P.O. Box 459, Watson, SK, S0K 4V0).
This Notice Is Courtesy Of
Schuler-Lefebvre Funeral & Cremation Services - Humboldt, Saskatchewan
(306-682-4114)