Jolena Bartesko

BARTESKO, Jolena (Helen)
March 31, 1939 - September 18, 2025
We are sad to announce the passing of treasured grandmother, sister, wife, friend and mother, Jolena (Helen) Bartesko. Known to many as Helen, she is survived by son, Wayne and grandsons Fionn and Tobias; also by sisters Annie and Linda (Ted); brothers Joe (Elaine), Tony (Marie), Nick (Linda); brother-in-law (Ken) and many cousins, nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by husband Don, sister Mary Charlton and brothers Pero and Tomo. Helen was born March 31, 1939 to Katerina (Kuterovac) and Josip Cindric, on the Similkameen River near Princeton. When Helen was four years old, her parents and their five children located to their previously bought Surrey farm. School years were at David Brankin Elementary and at Queen Elizabeth High School. At QE she enjoyed team sports of basketball, volleyball, soccer, track & field. After graduation she worked for Crown Zellerbach and MacMillan Bloedel, demonstrating and modelling the new-age card system computers. While in her B.C. working years she enjoyed downhill and water skiing. She met her husband Don while bowling and they married on September 1, 1962 honeymooning in Alberta where they bought a farm. Their son Wayne arrived in 1965 and they lived briefly in Surrey before moving to the farm in Alberta in 1966. In Alberta, Helen worked at the District Agricultural Office in Rimbey for 15 years. She gloried in searching for treasures at yard sales, loved photography and the yearly get-togethers with her mom and sisters. Her hands were never still. Even in her latter days, she was always knitting scarves. Helen faced health challenges in her latter years, however it never daunted her indomitable spirit and positive sense of humor.
Neka pociva u miru (May she Rest in Peace)