2014 Christmas Letter

{ Note: This letter was written by Carl prior to the sudden passing of Clara. }

To the Petura / Pitura Clan,

Once again it is a privilege to be in touch with our family members. In our senior years we feel life speeds up - even though the days have the same number of hours and the weeks are still seven days long. Days that used to drag by - are over in a "Flash"! When life is good we wish we could hit the hold button, such as special events with family and friends, birthdays, and sunsets, etc.

We are both in good health, along with our family we give thanks. We celebrated Thanksgiving Dinner at our condo. We enjoyed blessings on our table - our condo can seat 12-13, a touch tight, usual tradition with every family member bringing a dish.

Also the next day, October 13, Clara and I celebrated out 63rd Wedding Anniversary - with gratitude - the road of life has been good to us! What a blessing! Clara should receive an award!

Clara has been introduced to an iPad from daughter Cheryl, and not with today's technology is able to send short messages with the touch of a finger - with no limits, and photos. Really exciting!

A note about our winter escape - we look forward to one more year! The past 24+ years we would drive 1900 miles taking about 27 hours on the highways. Our family voted to drive the car with 5 1/2 months of living (clothes, golf clubs, etc) to Arizona. Corie and Don have offered and now our journey is changed to 3 hours plus 2 hours at airport. It is an easy lifestyle - over the years we have made many friends in the community golfing, church, and great fellowship, and of course Arizona Sunshine!

Our Christmas Message:
May you all enjoy the best of health and a beautiful and peaceful holiday season with family and friends, and be thankful. May God bless!

'Till we meet again. Love,
Clara & Carl F. Pitura

Also please read Carl's article - Past Patient Pays Tribute To Vic Oncology Team For Clean Bill Of Health (pg 3). http://www.vgh.mb.ca/foundation/documents/TheVicNewsletter-Issue6.pdf

Clara Nellie Pitura 1931-2014

CLARA NELLIE PITURA (nee KOSIOR) Suddenly, on December 10, 2014 Clara passed away in Victoria General Hospital surrounded by her husband Carl and family, from complications during recovery from hip surgery.

Clara was born in the Grace General Hospital on January 13, 1931 to Albert and Caroline Kosior who farmed at Osborne, about 25 miles south of Winnipeg. Clara was the last of five daughters.

Two sisters survive Clara, Agnes Pitura and Helen Manness (Sidney) and predeceased by Betty Johnson and Wanda Dryden.

Clara attended public and junior high school in Osborne and being the youngest daughter helped her dad on the farm hauling grain at harvest and general duties. Attending school at Osborne, Clara met Carl who was a few grades older and at that time a friendship grew.

Clara and Carl were married on October 13, 1951 at Holy Trinity Church in Winnipeg and proceeded to help operate Pitura Seed Farms four miles North of the Kosior farm. Both having rural roots, they enjoyed the challenges of the day.

Clara and Carl were blessed with five children, Carolynne (John), Calvin (Barb), Cheryl (Craig), Corie (Don) and son Michael who was deceased at birth, grandchildren Katie, Sheena, Jenny, Vicki, Connor, Brenden, Caelyn and great-granddaughter Emma.

Clara's focus was her family, taking the kids to Sunday school, 4-H events, music lessons and sports. As the children grew to adults, Clara built strong friendships with each one. She was proud of Carolynne's accomplishments as an educator and Calvin's commitment to the family farm. She enjoyed visits with Cheryl through their many moves, and the daily phone call and support from Corie at 8:15 in the morning. Clara's greatest joy was sharing life with her soul mate, Carl, for 63 years.

Clara was an avid reader and later in life a talented artist. She loved having a beautiful yard and garden filled with peonies and roses. We will all miss her wonderful meals, especially her perogies and sticky buns!

Clara was a Seed Grower earning a Long Service Certificate, and as Carl was a director and grower as well, they both enjoyed attending Seed Grower functions across Canada, from Fort St. John, B.C. to Peggy's Cove in P.E.I. and making many friends.

Clara and Carl enjoyed winter escapes in the sun from Florida, Texas, Hawaii, and settling in Arizona starting with a couple of weeks and later five and a half months since 1984. Clara and Carl also enjoyed a tour of Europe and Poland to search some family roots.

Clara enjoyed golf with ladies leagues and fellowship continuing up to a few weeks ago with a fun day with friends at Fountain of the Sun Country Club.

Clara was a member of Avonlea United Church in Domain, Manitoba, and recently attending Trinity United Church in Winnipeg, as well as Velda Rose United Methodist Church in Mesa, Arizona during the winter months.

Clara had a wonderful life that ended too soon. We will miss her.

A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Monday, December 15 at Trinity United Church, 933 Summerside Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba. All are welcome to remain for a reception after the service. Interment will follow at Avonlea Cemetery in Domain. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Manitoba in memory of Clara or the Pitura Family Endowment Foundation at the Victoria General Hospital or the charity of your choice. THOMSON "IN THE PARK" 204-925-1120 Condolences may be sent to www.thomsoninthepark.com

The Tradition of Tradition

Stemming from five generations back, in the historic country of Poland in Eastern Europe to the city life of a family in Western Canada, there’s a family who’s striving to preserve their heritage. Interestingly it doesn’t involve fancy, state-of-the-art technology or the latest app. It’s founded in flour and water, some potatoes and cheese, around a Christmas tree, with lots of laughter and reminiscing.

A family tradition is like a well-worn but welcoming quilt. Enveloping, warm, and comforting. Cocoon yourself in tradition and see what transpires. Whether a tradition is lived out in the family room or kitchen, you’re creating a museum of memories for your loved ones.

That’s exactly what the Pitura/Manness family has done for five generations, touching on two continents and involving hundreds, perhaps thousands of doughy little morsels. Yes, it’s the humble, but mighty perogy. This family has built a Christmas tradition around the perogy, the staple of every good Polish kitchen.

It began with Clara Pitura’s mother who was an avid perogy maker. Clara says she had no desire to learn this Polish culinary dish, but there came a point in her life when she had to step into the kitchen to learn on her own. She mastered cheese and potato perogies as well as the always-delightful saskatoon and blueberry ones that came out of her loving kitchen for her family.

Continue reading the entire story here: http://www.dotemagazine.com/the-tradition-of-tradition/

Granny's Perogie Receipe: http://www.dotemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Perogies-Recipies.jpg