Thelma Mary Basiuk, nee Banks was born October 10, 1929 in Elva, Manitoba. She grew up in Elva with her two sisters, Gwen and Barbara and her brother Ron. Always active, this was before the days of girls playing softball so she played baseball with her brother Ron. Determined that she would play with them, she did not let on how their throws hurt her hand and vowed that she would throw hard enough to make them respect her arm. This throwing arm would be put to good use in later years as a catcher for women’s teams and training up the catching skills of her children.
Growing up in Elva through the 1930’s during a time of shortages fostered in Thelma a deep respect for all resources and abhorrence for any kind of waste. In later years this became known as being sustainable, but she was one of the original recyclers.
She attended school in Elva and then Melita and according to her report cards was an excellent student. Following in the footsteps of her aunt Mary Agnes, Thelma enrolled in the nursing program in the Grey Nuns Hospital in Regina, Saskatchewan and graduated as a Registered Nurse. She worked as a nurse at Indian Head, Saskatchewan and in Huntsville, Ontario before a family illness brought her back to Elva. This was to nurse her brother Ron who was diagnosed with and subsequently died from acute Multiple Sclerosis. This tragedy in the family had a bright side as it brought her into contact with a young teacher who was teaching at the Elva School at the time.
This young teacher was Frank Basiuk of Parkerview, Saskatchewan (an equally small town) who courted Thelma and won her heart. They were married in a small ceremony in 1956 and moved to Manson, Manitoba where Frank had a job teaching. With no hospital nearby, Thelma dedicated herself to looking after the home and to caring for their family, a son Robert born in 1957 and a daughter Karen born in 1959.
The family moved to a new teaching job in Reston, Manitoba in 1960 where her second son Grant was born in 1964. In 1967, Frank took a job in Hartney where the family moved and lived for 35 years until 2002.
Thelma worked briefly as a nurse in Reston, Manitoba but decided that her primary work was looking after the family. Sustainable to the core, she felt that her working would deprive someone else of a needed job in a small town where jobs were scarce and each family needed employment.
Thelma’s commitment to the communities she lived in was unconditional and carried out in a selfless, quiet manner. Whether it was baking pies for the local rink, volunteering to lead girl’s groups (CGIT), driving kids to hockey, band or scouts, she did so willingly. Always active in her church and with the school, she never said no when asked to serve on any number of committees, boards and associations. Her family always came first and she was the foundation of a solid, nurturing family environment that invited expression, but came with obligations, rules and responsibilities. While she never considered herself as worldly, she had a world view through her reading that gave her understanding and her compassion. This world view was further expanded once she and Frank started traveling. First through a teacher exchange to Australia and then later to visit places such as New Zealand, Malaysia, Singapore and the Orkney islands, as well as camping coast to coast in Canada.
Thelma was not one to let anyone sit around and loved to play any sort of card or board game. When everyone was in the house, you did not sit around watching TV. She was always up for a walk, skate, ski or cycle depending on the season. One of her great joys was skating with her grandchildren at the Hartney arena and on the Brandon Oval. She also loved to dance whether participating in square dancing, pattern dancing or simply dancing with Frank at one of the many local socials they attended. A lasting memory will always be their beaming smiles while dancing the hop polka.
She loved sports having played ball and was a great fan of all sports (usually cheering for the underdog, except of course when her children were playing). She kept score watching baseball games and you sat in front of her at your own peril during hockey games (her right leg assisting the goal tender blocking shots and kicking out potential goals).
Through all this, her companion in life was her loving husband Frank. Their marriage was a partnership in every sense of the word with much love, caring and mutual respect.
Fondly remembered but sadly missed.
Dear Frank: we were so very sorry to read of Thelma’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Thelma was a lovely lady and will be sorely missed. Bill and Mae Day.
Our family has great memories of Basiuk family, one being Thelma’s dedication to anything she started. Our fondest memory is of the time she spent with the cast of the musical “Clowns”. May you memories sustain you in the tough days ahead. Thinking of you all
Sorry to hear of Thelma’s passing. She was a friend to everyone and will be missed by all.
Thinking of all of you at this very sad time. We have fond memories from your many years in Reston and more recently thru Trinity United Church in Brandon. Thelma always had a smile and a cheery greeting for us. She was a wonderful lady and will be missed by many.
Frank and family
Please accept our expression of sympathy in your loss. Thelma was a kind and gentle lady and will be missed by so many.
Brian and Kathie Saunderson
I was so sorry to hear of Thelma’s passing. My thoughts & prayers are with you and your family.
We were very shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of such a classy, wonderful lady who always brought a smile to our faces anytime we saw her. We are very sorry we cannot be there to express our condolences in person.
Sorry to hear of Thelmas sudden passing. Our sincere sympathy to you at this sad time. Sorry we cant be there to express our Sympathy in person She will be missed.
It was great growing up in Hartney with the Basiuk’s as our backyard neighbours. We had a ton of fun times and heaps of great memories.
I just ran into ‘Mr. and Mrs.’ Basiuk, funny to say that nowadays but we grew up calling our family friends that way and I can’t seem to let it go, after all he was the PRINCIPAL. It was so nice to catch up.
I know they were so looking forward to all the family being home for Christmas and now you will all be forever grateful for that time together. They spoke of each of their family members so lovingly when I was asking what they all were doing now. (Grant, they both did wonder, out loud, what the heck you actually did??) ; )
Mrs. B was a wonderful person who will be missed so much by all who knew her, so very sorry for the loss.
We are so very sorry to hear of Thelma’s passing. We are grateful for the good times in Hartney and the good visits when the Hobbknobbers came to play at Valleyview. Most sincerely, The Kings
Our deepest sympathies Frank to you and your families.
We were shocked and saddened to hear of Thelma’s passing.
Dear Frank and Family-
Our deepest condolences on the passing of your beloved wife and mother. She was such a pleasant lady and will be missed by many.
Very sorry to hear of Thelma’s sudden passing. My condolences to you, Robert, Karen and Grant and families. I remember back as a child that Thelma (your Mom) was always kind and had a smile for us whenever we popped across the back lane for a play. Thinking of you at this sad time.
Sorry to hear of Thelmas passing. She was a great lady and always had a smile. Our thoughts are with you all.
Glen and Gail Williamson
Was so very sorry to hear of Thelma’s passing, we were neighbors in Reston for a few years, actually had our boys the same day Dale & Grant
( twins well almost was in the Reston Recorder) she was a wonderful neighbor & friend extending my deepest sympathy Frank, Robert, Karen & Grant on the loss of your wife & mom.
Sincere condolences to the Mr. Basiuk, Karen, Robert, Grant and extended families, with the loss of “Mrs. Basiuk”. A lot of great memories growing up with our backyard neighbors in Hartney. She will be missed, my thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. Take Care!
Frank:
Sincere condolences from one who understands..
Frank, Bob, Karen and Grant. Could not believe the news our family received today. Both Jay and I had recently visited with you and Thelma by phone and all seemed well. Our family goes back so many years, way back to when you were my principal in Elva school and Evelyn was my teacher. Then you joined the Starlighter Orchestra and a life long friendship began with the Eldreds and passed on to their kids. Mom and Dad also always had known the Banks family forever so Thelma’s marriage to you, Frank, just seemed right for everyone. We all loved Thelma, one of the sweetest and dearest gals one would ever have the pleasure of knowing. We are so sad to have lost this wonderful woman from our lives. My Mom and Dad would have been heartsick and I like to think that maybe they are with her now. Our love to all the family and know that we are thinking of you.
Love to all,
Bonnie and Dennis
Frank, Bob, Karen, Grant, and Families,
Our most sincerest condolences to you,
We send our sympathies and thoughts to you, all.
We all are saddened, and share your loss of such a kind and caring person.
So sorry to hear of Thelma’s death. She was a great person and enjoyed visiting with her, wherever we met. You will miss her greatly Frank.
Your many memories will sustain you all. We first met at church functions so there are lots of stories. Ken & Bob met at a youth event long ago!
Our thoughts and prayers are with each one of you . It is hard letting go of our loved ones but we know Thelma will be watching over each one of you from heaven. She was a kind and loving individual and we know she will be missed by you all. May you find comfort in knowing we are thinking of you all at this time
You know our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this tragic time. We have so many fond memories of all our activities over the years. We played cards, hiked, biked, camped, played ball, curled, played floor hockey and just hung out since the time we met in Hartney in the 60’s. We will miss Thelma so much. Sincere sympathy to you all.
Extending our sincere sympathy to Frank and family. Thelma was a great friend to anyone and everyone she met. Also a formidable lawn bowler! We will miss her.
Frank, and Famiy.Thinking of all of you at this very sad time.
Memories are wonderful , keep them close.
Arnold and Brenda Hicks
Our thoughts are with you at this sad time in your family.
Thelma will be missed.
My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
Our deepest condolences to all of you. Thelma had a heart of gold.
Dear Mr. Basiuk, Bob, Karen and Grant,
I was so sorry to hear of Mrs. Basiuk’s passing. She was such a lovely lady – so warm, caring and friendly; she had a way of making everyone feel comfortable and important. I didn’t see her often, but she always asked about out family and remembered so much about our lives. I am sure she will be missed terribly. I hope that your memories and the support of friends and family will sustain you as you deal with your loss.
My deepest condolences. Such a fantastic lady taken way too soon. Hugs to you, Frank. She will never be forgotten
We are sorry to hear about Thelma, hard to imagine such a vibrant, cheerful and active woman gone from our world. She was so motivating, made you want to do better in life!! You guys are going to miss her so much!! We are thinking of you and your dad!! Cyril and Kate Druwe
I remember Mrs Basiuk as one of the ‘Moms’ that helped Bob and his 4 room mates get through 4 years of life while at Brandon University. She was always in the background just making sure we were ok and always had food on the table when we visited in Hartney. We will all have fond memories….one of the room mates.
Frank & Family:
So sorry to hear of the loss of Thelma. You were always such a
happy couple . Loved your music, dancing and Thelma has such
‘a wonderful smile. May all your happy days spent as family be a
comfort in the days ahead.
We were so sorry to hear of Thelma’s passing – what a great lady who will be missed by so many.
Frank & family; We just heard the sad news of Thelma’s passing & are so very sorry for your loss. Please accept our sincere sympathies at this sad time. Know she was a great lady & will be surely missed by all who knew her.
My deepest sympathies
Hello Frank, today was our lawn bowling pot luck dinner with a business meeting following. It was with great sadness and dismay that I heard of Thelma’s passing. My thoughts are with you and your family and pray that the God of all comfort will be your strength each day.
Sincerest condolences.
What a fine tribute to Thelma. Our children went to school together. Condolences from Clare, Betty Hicks and Family.