Neta Sveinbjornson was born December 4, 1925 in Blumenort, MB, the first daughter and second of eight children born to Willhelm and Anna (Klassen) Goerzen. She was raised on a mixed farm where she and her siblings worked together with their parents to raise sugar beets, cattle and pigs. Neta spent her early adulthood doing various jobs such as cooking at the MCI, picking peaches and potatoes in Ontario and generally enjoying life and all its freedoms. In 1958, Neta met the love of her life, a handsome man from Churchbridge, SK, Eyfie Sveinbjornson. They married soon after on November 1, 1958 and began their life together on their farm near Churchbridge. Neta jumped into her role as mother, farmer and wife with everything she had. She loved gardening, baking and cooking and excelled at raising poultry of all kinds but especially loved tending her geese. Neta raised all of her children on the farm. It was a wonderful life, where work never seemed like work because it was always mixed with something fun and interesting. Neta's children were encouraged to read wherever and whenever they could. Being bored was unacceptable as there was always something you could be doing. Neta was also involved with off the farm activities. She was an active member of the Concordia Church. Always busy with bake sales, pie auctions, fall suppers and meetings of every description. But somehow she always found time to entertain company serving huge meals for family and friends. She loved every minute of it. In 1990, Neta and Eyfie finally retired and moved into town where Neta enjoyed many years of gardening and once again entertaining her friends and family. It was in these years that Neta found her greatest joy, her grandchildren. They were her pride and joy and she wasn't ashamed to let everyone know it. She cheered them on at music festivals, hockey games, drama productions and the list goes on. Neta became famous for her donuts that she would make by the hundreds for the local football games and for all the kids at choir practice. Neta was a force in her community and taught her daughters that if you want something you better be willing to help build it. She was well into her 80's and you would still see her almost running downtown to get her mail, sometimes with a loaf or two of fresh bread under arm to give to her postal girls that she loved so much. In Neta's last few years of life she had to make a few moves. She loved her home but she made her move to Yorkton with great dignity and once again became the life of the party. She taught her family that you are never too old to start again. It was a joy to visit her because you were always greeted with her beautiful smile. On February 22, 2017, Neta made her final move to Lakeside Manor Care Home in Saltcoats and on March 4, 2017, Neta passed away peacefully. Neta leaves to celebrate her life, her daughters, Lorie (Russ) Thies, Lee (Kent) Daniel, Avis (Leonard) Youse, Adrienne Gould, Valerie (Albert) Entz; her step-children, George (Gloria) Sveinbjornson, Viola Nahachewsky and Paul Sveinbjornson; her many grandchildren, Nicholas (Kelsey) Thies, Sawyer Thies, Lucas Thies, Andrew Daniel, April Daniel, Amy Daniel, Devon (Vanessa) Youse, Robin Youse, Shire Youse, Delaney Youse, Oakley Youse, Declan Youse, Avalon Youse, Brendon Gould, Lindsay Gould, Denver Gould, Oralie (Shayne) DeCorby, Colby Entz and Cassidy Entz, Daniel (Laura) Nahachewsky, Darrel (Parrisa) Nahachewsky, Pam (Kelly) McMahon, Stacy (Rhonda) Phillips, Tim Sveinbjornson, Oren Sveinbjornson, Polly Sveinbjornson, Kristina Sveinbjornson, Mark Sveinbjornson and Montanna Ayotte as well as many great-grandchildren. Neta also leaves to mourn her passing, her brothers, Henry (Mary) Goerzen and Bill Goerzen and sisters, Marie Zamuda and Anna (Peter) Sawatzky. Neta was predeceased by her parents, Willhelm and Anna Goerzen, her husband, Eyjolfur Sveinbjornson, grandsons, Joshua Thies and Landon Entz, step-daughter, Elmyra Sveinbjornson, brothers, Jake and Frank Goerzen and her sister, Marg Schmidtt. A Service to Celebrate Neta's Life was held on Friday, March 10, 2017 from Trinity Lutheran Church (under the auspices of Concordia Lutheran Church) in Churchbridge, SK with Pastor Daphne Bender officiating. The scriptures were read by April Daniel and Lucas Thies. Words of tribute and eulogy were shared on behalf of Neta's daughters, Valerie Entz, on behalf of her grandchildren, by Lindsay Gould and a poetic tribute was shared by Brendon Gould. The organist, Alice Johnson, led the congregation in the singing of the hymns, "He Leadeth Me", "Just As I Am", "What A Friend We Have in Jesus" and "Abide With Me". A special taped music selection, "Supermarket Flowers" by Ed Sheeran was played as a recessional. The honourary pall bearers were Wilfred and Doreen Thies, Art and Alice Johnson, Denis and Brenda Schutz, Wanda Kitz and Genevieve Erickson. The urn bearers were Sawyer Thies and Oralie DeCorby. A private family cremation committal will take place in the Concordia Lutheran Church Cemetery at a later date. Friends so wishing may forward their condolences to the family by visiting www.christiesfuneralhome.com. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Christie's Funeral Home & Crematorium, Yorkton, Saskatchewan.
