Dorothy Arlene Youst

It is with profound sadness the family of Mrs. Dorothy Arlene Youst, resident of Caleb Village, North Battleford, SK and formerly of Mayfair, SK, announce her passing Tuesday, September 28, 2021 at her residence. Private Vigil of Prayer for the family was held Tuesday with Jean Pawlus presiding followed by Mass of Christian Burial on Wednesday, October 6, 2021 from Notre Dame de Lourdes Roman Catholic Church with Fr. Nick Ferreras as Celebrant.

Dorothy is lovingly remembered by her six children, 23 grandchildren & 35 great-grandchildren: Christine (Lorne) Pollard- Stacey (Derek) Sieben, Bria; Lance; Linda (Robert) Adamus- Krystal (Jason) Lessard, Ava, Jadyn, Rylee, Zachary & Zennan; Ryan (Char), Taylor & Teagan; Trevor (Allison), Austin & Aubrey; Trent (Jane), Beckett, Halle, Willow & Brooks; John (Georgina) Youst- Dana (Jason) Jones, Olive & Dryden; Joel (Jodie), Kostyn; Nicole (Justin) Jordan, Bodhi & Lincoln; Raelene; Frances (Gerald) Ewanchuk- Justin (Adrienne), Jarrett, Danica & Paige; Candace (Kenzie Haubrich); Brandon (Jenna), Aria & Kira; Brittany (Mike) Ciona, Natalie & Evelyn; Tiandra (Tanner Quinn); Ritchie Youst (Gina Roach)- Dallas (Melissa), Devin; Brock (Jade),  Matthew; Tyson  (Brittany Boulton); Janelle  (Dalton Gagne); Louella Bourelle- Beau (Jaelyn Willness), Berklee, Banner & Brayalee; Keegan, Greyson & Liv; Desiree (Nicholas Kalika); Janaya (Garrett) Kohl, Mia & Rayna; brothers: Ervin (Helen) Pethick, Gordon (Desiree) Pethick; sisters-in-law: Diane Youst & Loraine Youst; as well as several nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her husband, Victor Youst; parents: Thomas & Rhoda Pethick; brother, Ronald (Alice) Pethick; sisters: infant, Ilene Pethick, Evelyn (Robert) Page & Bonnie (Jack) Scotton; mother & father-in-law: Pearl & John Youst; sisters-in-law: Albina (Mike) Kotelko & Angelia Youst; brothers-in-law: infant, Albert Youst & Edward Youst.

 Donations in Dorothy’s memory are requested to the Battlefords Union Hospital Foundation, Heart and Stroke Foundation or to the Donor’s Choice. Condolences for the family may be left at www.eternalmemoriesfuneral.ca. Arrangements have been entrusted to Robert MacKay of Eternal Memories Funeral Service and Crematorium.

Shared Memories by Chris Pollard- It is written, Mom, that you were born April 22, 1936.  Some days ago, we spoke to you, we visited, you called us, we called you, and we shared worries of the present along with hopes for the future.  Little did we know, that on the evening of September 28th between the hour of 6:30 and 7:36 p.m., the gates of heaven would open and God would call you to him.  Father Gerard tells me, it was then that Dad came along and took you by the hand.  As sad as we are, you must have been so happy!

The stone at the head of your resting place will read: Dorothy Arlene Youst April 22, 1936 – September 28, 2021 - Chiseled in stone, these dates will bear witness to the fact that you were here, that you lived and that you departed.  The dash in between these dates is what is important.  The dash represents all your life here on earth.  It signifies your growing years, your marriage, your husband, your 6 children, your 23 grandchildren, your 35 great-grandchildren, your family and your friends.  The dash represents your dreams, hopes and accomplishments as well as your defeats, sorrows and regrets.  Everyone here would surely have a story to tell about your dash for you were a significant woman to us all.

In your dash, we find you were born at home on the farm to Thomas & Rhoda Pethick.  You were their fourth child.  You have three sisters; Ilene, Evelyn and Bonnie.  You have three brothers, Ervin, Ronnie and Gordon.  All who have passed away except for two brothers, Ervin and Gordon.  We find that your parents farmed four miles south of Mayfair and that you received your education at Ravenhead and Mayfair School and that you would eventually marry Victor Youst.  Grandma always said it was dancing that brought you two together.  You were a fantastic dancer, a talent that many of your grandchildren inherited from you.  In fact, the fox trot was your specialty and “When the Saints Go Marching In” was really your favorite!

From your dash, we find that to your marriage union, you were blessed with six children; Chris, Linda, John, Frances, Ritchie and Louella who filled your life with pride and joy.  We also find that besides being a farm wife and mother, you worked for Canada Post for 25 years until you retired in 1999.  You won the Silver Postmark award for “Outstanding service and performing your job above and beyond the call”.   You were also on the Saskatchewan Housing Committee for many years and an attending member of the Canada Post Superannuation Meetings until only a few years ago.  That is something to be very proud of, Mom! 

During the years on the farm, company loved to visit and you equally enjoyed having them.  Your generosity was outstanding and they never left without plenty of food and drink.  You enjoyed a good game of Kaiser and the fun that went with it.  You were a good cook and we always enjoyed the borscht and perogies at home along with your delicious stuffed chicken.  You made the best stuffing and we always looked forward to having some!!

The special holiday celebrations were remarkable.  The Christmas Eves, the Christmas Days, the Easter celebrations, Thanksgivings along with the years of us gathering on simple Sundays is something we all talk about to this day and will remember forever… the number of family Sundays when we all piled in for Sunday dinner is really uncountable and unforgettable.  Those days were the best … we are blessed to have those special memories for sure!

As the years went by, we all grew up, married and had children of our own.  We could see how you enjoyed each and every one of the grandchildren.  You attended as many dance festivals, hockey games, ringette games and any other event as you could.  You beamed with love and pride as you watched these babies develop into the lives of young children, teenagers and adults.  The weddings started and seemed to go on year after year for a while and before long, the great-grandchildren were born and the cycle is now repeating itself. 

I was your first born and it is truly amazing at how many births came along after me!  You were a part of each one of those births, graduations, weddings, accomplishments and achievements as well as the many hardships and sorrows in the daily lives of all of us.  You laughed, you loved, you joked, you disciplined; but above all, you’d shake your head when you thought we weren’t doing things right.  You taught us that there are rights and wrongs and yes’s and no’s to adhere to.  Although you never really expressed it, we often knew what you were thinking by just looking at your facial expression.  Your dash reminds us that your 85 years on this earth were all too short and how you still wanted to visit the farm and do things and go places. 

I read somewhere that a person’s immortality is measured not by what a person leaves behind but rather by the people she has touched.  This statement is very true.  As a daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, friend and neighbour you have touched us all.

So, go on now Mom, rest comfortably and know that you will never be forgotten.  While we mourn our loss, others are rejoicing to meet you behind the curtain.  Life is eternal and love is immortal, and death is only a horizon, and a horizon is nothing more than the limit of our sight.  You were a gracious lady with a quiet spirit who was content to “just be”.  You never ever forgot a birthday or an anniversary… and furthermore, every single one of us received a Christmas gift from you every year right up to your last Christmas!  That was the one card and gift we all knew we’d get and we will certainly think of you on every special occasion.  You will be greatly missed.  We love you, Mom, and there’ll always be a special place for you in all our hearts.

In closing, I will recite a poem entitled A Parable of Immortality by Henry Van Dyke… the poem that I recited when my Dad passed away …the poem that brings me comfort … with words that I need to remember as I move forward without her … it reminds me of seeing the cruise ship leave the port as I stood on the shore of the Pacific Ocean in Mexico and watched it disappear only to realize the excitement of the people as it arrives at its next port… it goes like this:

I am standing on the sea shore,

A ship sails in the morning breeze and starts for the ocean.

She is an object of beauty and I stand watching her

Till at last she fades on the horizon and someone at my side says;

“She is gone.”

Gone! Where?

Gone from my sight that is all.

She is just as large in the masts, hull and spars as she was when I saw her

And just as able to bear her load of living freight to its destination.

The diminished size and total loss of sight is in me,

Not in her.

And just at the moment when someone at my side says,

“She is gone,”

There are others who are watching her coming, and other voices take up a glad shout:

“There she comes.”

I believe many people watched you arrive, Mom and they rejoiced.  Wow!  I can only imagine the beauty… the power in that moment would simply be indescribable!!

See you later, Mom.  Bye for now. Know that you will be deeply missed and loved forever!  May God grant you eternal peace in Heaven!  Love you always!

Card of Thanks

We, the family of Dorothy Youst, cannot begin to express our thanks to everyone who have helped our family during this very difficult time.  The tremendous response to Mom’s death was a wonderful tribute to her.  The many acts of kindness, cards, phone calls, prayers, food, floral arrangements, and donations were very much appreciated. A sincere thank you to Jean Pawlus for the beautiful prayer service.  Thank you, Rev. Father Nick Ferreras, for your consoling and comforting sermon and to Jaki Esquirol, Gary Wappel and Wayne Wappel for the music ministry as well as to soloist, Bob MacKay.   Sincere thanks to the Royal Canadian Legion ladies for preparing and serving the beautiful lunch.  A heartfelt thank you to Eternal Memories Funeral Home… your care and compassion will always be remembered.