Stephanie Youzwa

Stephanie Youzwa

Peacefully, on Sunday, September 21, 2025, Stephanie Youzwa of East Selkirk, passed away at the age of 94. Mom leaves behind her son Doug, grandchildren Nicole, Dalyce (Paolo), great-grandchildren Jared and Collins and daughter Tracy (Robert).

Our dad passed away in 1988 and Jared left us tragically in 2013. Recently her beloved daughter-in-law Cheryl passed  away in March 2025.

Mom was a talented lady whether she was cooking, baking or crafting. She bought her first sewing machine when she was 14 and that became her life. Our mom, my mom, Grandma, sewed everything from a beautiful wardrobe for Tracy to model at the Royal Bank, dresses for the granddaughters, Barbie doll clothes, bridesmaid dresses, the most special patches on Robert’s jeans, and northern coats for all of us. Her special talent was showcased when she worked at Lower Fort Garry as a costume designer. These costumes were to be authentic to the 1850’s, even the button holes were to be made by hand.

Her early days with Dad were spent picking and grading potatoes, grain farming, selling strawberries on the highway, growing cucumbers for the marketing board, and raising a family. Her mother, father and brother lived next door and they were a help on the farm to our family. Mom milked cows, raised chickens and sheep and let us have a dog to have puppies. Mom loved dogs too and was very fond of Doug and Cheryl’s collies. She loved to be in her vegetable garden, often asking Dad not to roto-till because she wanted to do it soon as she came home from work. She kicked off her shoes and sunk her bare feet in that rich soil and she so enjoyed that.

Although our parents were very work oriented there was always a party going on at the Youzwa’s. Many weekends were spent with family and friends, playing accordions, guitars, mouth organs and the cymbala, while they partied, my mom fed them. Everyone was welcome and if we were lucky maybe a project was completed first.

She loved to travel and experience adventures on these trips, parasailing in Mexico, touring Ukraine twice, white water rafting in New Zealand, water slides at West Edmonton Mall, roller coasters in the dark in California, eating ice cream in Italy and to the top of the Swiss Alps. For her 60th and 65th birthday we asked her what she wanted to do and she chose tubing in Red Lake Falls, so much fun watching her enjoy herself.

Mom loved her grandchildren Nicole, Jared and Dalyce. She took them so many places and I think a favorite was the annual Rainbow Stage Show. On school days she picked them up at the road when the bus dropped them off and took them home for an after school treat. Sometimes it was a bowl of borscht, other times it was melba toast, cottage cheese and a fruit cocktail. This time was very special because it was “Grandma” time and they had her to themselves. We all know when the going gets tough, you go to Grandma’s.

She helped us kids, always encouraging us. I soon learnt when mom gave advice she was always right and I soon learned to take it. How fortunate we have been to have her for this many years. She did what she wanted, when she wanted and we admired her for that.

Funeral Services will be held on Friday, October 3, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. in the Gilbart Funeral Chapel in Selkirk, Manitoba. The service will be livestreamed and can be viewed via the following link https://youtube.com/live/VfVZsvnzoeI?feature=share

Rest in peace mom, grandma, we will miss you.

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