Peacefully on Monday, May 21, 2018, Anastasia (Natalie) Esther Robertson passed away at the age of 94 with her daughter Laverne by her side.

She was predeceased by her husbands, Bill (1977), and James (1999); her father John, mother Pearl, sisters Janet, Rosa, Delores, and Betty, brothers Peter, and Michael.

Left to cherish Natalie‘s memory are her daughter Laverne: grandchildren Joelle Foster {Demetre}: Bobby Foster: and great grandchildren Kiana and Joselyne and a brother, Fred, 96 years old.

Natalie was born on the family farm near Cudworth, Saskatchewan, March 22, 1924. Growing up and working on the family farm instilled Natalie with a dedicated work ethic that never left her. Even with her demure petite stature and showing no fear, she would daily harness the large draft horses and work the fields with them.

As a young adult, Natalie moved to Winnipeg and met her husband, Bill Koblanski, a boilermaker with the CNR, and together they moved to Gillam, Manitoba. While in Gillam, Natalie came to Winnipeg to give birth to her only child, Laverne. Natalie was infected by polio shortly after returning to Gillam, and spent a year in an iron lung and was separated from her husband and child for almost two years.

Bill and Natalie then settled in The Pas, Manitoba, in 1952. Natalie worked at the maternity ward at Saint Anthony’s Hospital. She was a member of The Pas Women’s Auxiliary. With a flair for shrubs, flowers and vegetables, Natalie won several community horticulture awards for her yard and gardens. 

Both Natalie and Bill retired in 1970 and moved to Portage La Prairie. While still attending to her love of gardening, Natalie worked part time in a little bakery. She had a passion for baking and cooking and enjoyed doing beautiful cross-stitching and pettie point.

After her husband‘s death in 1977, Natalie lived a couple of years in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, before moving to Winnipeg in 1980, and in 1982 she met James Robertson and married in 1984. Together they enjoy travelling, especially to Scotland, and lived in Nova Scotia in the Ottawa area for a while between 1994 and 1996 before returning to Winnipeg. Natalie and James would regularly be seen dancing up a storm at the Legion on weekends. During this time Natalie worked as a customer service clerk for ‘Just Petites’ and ‘Dollards’ in the Polo Park shopping mall between 1982 to 1994.

After James passed away in 1999 Natalie lived on her own until the affects of Parkinson’s and dementia took a toll on her well being and she moved in with her daughter Laverne and partner Ken in 2005 and resided in Westwood St. James until worsening health issues made her a resident of Tuxedo Villa Extendicare from 2016 to her passing. While living with her daughter, Natalie attended senior outings to Golden West Lodge and Deer Lodge day programs. She enjoyed the companionship of the family dog, Blossom, especially on summer weekends in the lawn and gardens in the large backyard. On many warm afternoons you could find both of them fast asleep in the sun on the deck.

Well into her 70s, Natalie enjoyed doing yard work, her gardening, painting rooms and fences as well as cooking and needle work. She took care of her health and enjoyed going for long walks. She had a flair for fashion, especially in the types of fabrics, the quality of workmanship and designs. She had a wonderful eye for style from hats to footwear. 

Mom will be sadly missed, and fondly remembered for her devotion, loyalty and generosity to family; her feistiness and strong work ethic. For her love of baking, cooking and putting up fall canning preserves; her eye for detail in her needlework and fashion sense and for her love and joy of flowers.

We would like to thank the wonderful staff at Nursing Station 2 at the Tuxedo Villa Extendicare, Mom’s final address the past 18 months. The dedicated staff treated Mom’s issues with kindness and compassion, and did all they could to ensure that she was comfortable and pain free during her final days.

A private family celebration of life and interment are planned for later dates.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Parkinson’s Society Manitoba or to a charity of your choosing