Thelma Rogozinsky, nee Jonasson - April 14, 1938 - March 9, 2025

With her beloved husband David by her side, Thelma Alphenia Rogozinsky took her last ride into the sunset on March 9. She never recovered from a January 2024 fall, and spent her remaining days in long-term care, always wanting to return to her ranch and dog Bear.

Born at home in the Honeywood District, Thelma was a horsewoman long before it was fashionable. She was a free spirit who lived the way she wanted. In many ways, Thelma was a trailblazer, embracing roles and challenges typically beyond the reach of women of her time. As an eldest child, she spent most days outdoors helping on the farm. There, she discovered her lifelong passion for horses -- show, competitive race, western, and ranch. She was her own farrier, veterinarian and trainer wrapped in one.

As a determined young woman, Thelma left home at 16 to cook at a logging camp near Smooth Stone, SK. Here, she perfected her cooking skills and met Aime Hetu, the father of her three children. They operated community pastures including the Good Spirit Community Pasture. Thelma mastered her equestrian skills as a ranch hand, and after many sacrifices won the 1972 Canadian Barrel Racing Championship. She was a well-known cowgirl in the gymkhana and rodeo circuits and took immense pride in her riding accomplishments.

Thelma was an idealistic entrepreneur and experimented with several ventures, including retail clothing, life insurance, a plant tree patent, and land development. She often said, ‘if a man can do it so can I.’ Thelma inherited her father’s ability to locate underground water using a red willow. She was a woman of faith, with Jesus forever in her heart.

Around the time of her retirement, Thelma met the love of her life, David Rogozinsky. They married at Barkerville BC in 2007 and shared a beautiful life fulfilling two of her greatest dreams -- warm winters and a ranch of her own. After some exploration, they settled on Clifton AZ, where they spent many memorable winters renovating their property, exploring, and making new friends. About the same time, they built the Twin Creek Ranch near Mont Nebo SK, where she fulfilled her other lifelong ambition.

Missed but never forgotten, Thelma is survived by her devoted husband, David Rogozinsky; her children, Susan (David Gullickson), Eli (Elaine) and Raine (Kelly) Hetu; siblings, Henry, Luella, Cecil (Audrey), Glen (Lorraine), and Steven (Natalie) Jonasson; grandchildren Trent and Elijah Hetu; and many cousins, nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, Emil and Della Jonasson, sister, Betty and grandparents, Oskar and Gretta Peterson, nee Ekland.

A private graveside service will be held later this spring for family and friends, with a memorial lunch to follow at the Parkside Heritage Centre.

Thanks to the dedicated staff at the Big River and Parkland long-term care facilities for their compassionate end-of-life care for Thelma.