Rosalie Victoria Nilsen was born to Michael and Mary Holinaty on January 26, 1939 in Wakaw, SK. She was the youngest of nine children. Early in her life, the family moved to the Copeau district near Porcupine Plain, and she attended school there. Early schooling was difficult as Mom spoke Ukrainian and it was not allowed in school. Her brothers, in particular Paul and George spent a lot of time home schooling to improve Mom’s English. Mom completed her grade eleven in Porcupine Plain where they had moved after her father had passed away when she was 9 years old. At the age of 18, Mom lost her mother and she inherited her Mom’s dog and cat. Mom’s care giving ways were well established by this time.



On December 5, 1959 Mom married a young man by the name of Ron Nilsen from Bellshill (near Greenwater Lake). They moved to the farm, where Ron’s parents lived in the same yard. In 1962, Cheryl was born, followed quickly by Kimberley ( 16 months younger) and Dayn (18 months younger than Kim). She worked milking cows, separating cream, gardening, canning and she even had time for a job at the park at Greenwater Lake. She even followed Dad’s whims including a pet bear.

During the winters the family would move to Armit where Ron was employed hauling logs for Mom’s brothers Tony and Paul. For a few years they seasonally moved, living on the farm in the summer and in Armit during the winter.

When it was time for the kids to start school, the move was made to Hudson Bay. Mom soon had the house overflowing with kids, family and room and boarders. She even had her brother Tony living across the back alley, and her brother John in town. At one time she had 3 kids, Uncle Paul and 13 room and boarders in a 750 square foot house while Dad was away working in the bush. She made sure that everyone was well taken care of.

In the early 70’s, Mom and Dad started a construction company that took them to each corner of the province. She would strike off in the middle of the night heading to Key Lake alone or with Grandpa Jim or Blair, with no cell phone and only the beginning of a road to travel on. She never questioned the need to meet someone’s need. Mom grew all of the vegetables for camp, and canned and froze all of the produce used to feed the construction crew. She cooked, cleaned, did all of the accounting, parts chasing and anything else that was required. We never heard Mom say ‘No’ or that something could not be done. She always found a way of finding all of the answers.

In 1992, Mom and Dad sold the equipment and purchased an acreage near town. Mom finally had time to grow the flowers the way she wanted, and nothing was done in a small way. Mom’s day always started many hours before anyone else’s and it was not uncommon to get a call at 7:00 in the morning to see what our days would hold as she already had a batch of bread baked (8 loaves of course) and most of her days work done. This move also gave her time to work in the garden and to follow her kids, their spouses, and eventually the grandkids. A day never passed without a call to the kids and the grandkids.

They added to the animal family also, dogs cats, birds, fish and now cows. Of course nothing was done in a small way, and quickly 20 cows became 200 and Mom knew them each by name. She worked long and hard to ensure that everyone had the best care possible. Mom loved her kids and her grandkids and her pets. They were the centre of her life. She supported any cause that would make the world a better place.



As the kids grew, Baba took on the care taking for anyone who might need something. Many people will remember the cinnamon buns and the bread which was given ‘just because’. She will continue to live on through the lives of everyone that she has touched. The United Church women became Mom’s outlet to provide hands and heart to the community. She loved when the girls got together to pinch perogies and make pies.



Baba leaves her husband of 50 years Ron, daughter Cheryl (Rick) children-Blair (Erin), Adriane(Evan), Jacey(Tanner), Kim (Tom)children Taylor, Brady , Dayn (Shannon, Shadyn and children Kristin, Ryan and Madison) and her special companion Teke. She will also be dearly missed by her brother George (Jean), and sister Lillian and her nieces and nephews(and children) , Ron’s sister Ilene Getz(Lou), Kay Jackisch(Sig), and brother David, who were all a vital part of the family. Many close family and friends will also miss her presence.

Baba was predeceased by her parents, her special in laws Jim and Leitha Nilsen and her brothers Paul, Tony, Michael, John, Joe and sister Annie. She will be forever missed, but remembered by everyone that she has touched.