Marie Christina Van Caeseele

Marie Christina Van Caeseele passed away unexpectedly in Central Butte, Saskatchewan on May 5th, 2009 at the age of 68 years. The Memorial Service will be held on Monday, May 11th, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. in the Riverhurst Community Hall. Pastor Bill Thomson of Trinity United Church in Moose Jaw will officiate. Marie was born November 19th, 1940 in Naicam, Saskatchewan to Ivor and Marian Ottoson. Marie was the second oldest daughter in a family of six. Marie attended school in Flin Flon, Manitoba. She met Ken Van Caeseele and they were married on May 19th, 1956. They resided in Flin Flon for 20 years and raised their children, Kim, Jim, Julie, Ernest and David there. Marie really enjoyed the years spent raising her “babies”. In 1972 the “wandering gypsies” moved to various locations in the western provinces, finally settling in Riverhurst, Saskatchewan.

Marie is predeceased by her father and mother Ivor and Marian Ottoson; father-in-law and mother-in-law Camillus and Mary Van Caeseele; infant granddaughter Mary Van Caeseele; son Ernest; 7 brothers-in-law; and 1 sister-in-law. Marie is survived by her husband of almost 53 years Ken; her children Kim (Nick), Jim (Joanne), Julie (Bob) and David (Deanna); 8 grandchildren; 2 great grandchildren; her sisters Ruth (Jack) Reese, Fern Shields, Shirley Simpson and Bea (Angus) Songer; brother Percy Ottoson and spouse; sisters-in-law Leona Voigt, Miriam Symandych and Irene Pepin; and various nieces and nephews. Marie loved to do upholstering – an A1 seamstress says Ken. She also enjoyed drawing, bowling and dancing. Marie enjoyed listening to her gospel music on the radio and Daniel O’Donnell too! Gardening, baking, and spending time with her friends and family were other special times for her. She had a special touch with her flowers. A story was told of her and her friend Iris Rideout wrecking the toboggan while on Alley’s Hill. Fun times were had in the “barn area”. Marie also made time to sit down and play a game of scrabble on occasion. She enjoyed working at the potato sheds and being with her friends there. Marie’s lefse was a favourite past time for Marie as well as Christmas cake, Kringra and home made bread. She also enjoyed trying new recipes. In her early years when all the kids were at home Ken and Marie enjoyed camping and travelling to such places as Bakers Narrows Campground, Wekusko Falls and Riverhurst to spend time with sister Bea and brother-in-law Angus. The family also spent a lot of time with sister Shirley and brother-in-law Doug and family. Marie also enjoyed the time she spent with her sisters Ruth and Fern and Ray and family in B.C. As a wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother, auntie, sister and friend she will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her. Memorial donations in Marie’s name may be made to a charity of one’s choice. “Till we meet again.”