Obituaries

Marilyn Muriel Farkes was born in Kitchener Waterloo County, Ontario, on July 23, 1943. Early in life, the family moved to Waldron, SK, where she grew up on the farm. During her childhood she assisted with chores and in her free time rode her favorite horse “Bugsy”.
Marilyn married Elmer John Farkes in Yorkton on May 6, 1961. Together they raised five children: Colleen, John, Roger, Barbara, and Tom. The family farmed 2.5 quarters of mixed grain and livestock neat Otthon, SK, homesteaded by the Farkes family since 1894. The two worked hard to provide a loving home for their children. Marilyn enjoyed dancing at the legion Saturday nights, the ladies auxiliary of Otthon, and her vegetable and flower gardens. She also was very skilled at baking and cooking, and at harvest time, the golden french fries and Hires home made root beer flowed. For Marilyn, the Saskatchewan growing season was never quite long enough.
Marilyn and Elmer retired to Kelowna in 1994, leaving their small community in Saskatchewan and starting a new life with everlasting friendships while maintaining their lifelong attachment to Otthon. They made numerous excursions exploring the countryside like tourists and travelled extensively to visit friends and family. Marilyn continued her love of gardening and enjoyed the fruits of her labour.
Sadly, Elmer passed away suddenly in 2005. While Marilyn soon after suffered a stroke and a diagnosis of cancer, she was strong enough to live on her own for the next 16 years. Her mobility scooter gave her the independence to visit Maggies Diner with her friends, shop, and complete her daily activities. She once even transported a television set home with her scooter. Marilyn and her neighbours formed a close knit community, caring for each other.
Her love of her flowers was overwhelming; the flowers and plants in her home are inspiring. She loved to see her plants thrive and flourish, always looking forward to the gardening season. Her poinsettia is going strong after 12 years, In the last weeks of her life, she asked her daughter to plant her tomato seeds and look after them.
Marilyn loved visiting with her children who grew into healthy, productive members of society and made their mother proud, “yeah right.” as mom would say. Her three grandchildren: John, Ezrin and Zerin made her especially happy as well as her son’s and daughter’s-in-law: Bill, Jeff, Holly and Tammy.
Marilyn will be missed by her family and many close friends. In compliance with her wishes, there will be no funeral and her ashes will be scattered at sea by her children. Marilyn died on April 6, 2021 at the age of 77.

• Apr 17, 2021
  My sincere sympathy at Marilyn's passing. She was a very strong independent woman. She was very proud of her children and grandchildren, For many years we met at Maggies and then at My Neighbourhood Restaurant while having lunch. Due to Covid we did not see each other but I thought of her often, She will be missed.
  
  Margaret Counsell

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