Obituary for Olga Majusiak
“The amen of nature is always a flower” - Oliver Wendell Holmes
Olga Majusiak, 99, of Watertown, SD, passed away after a full, long life on March 5, 2020 at Jenkins Living Center.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 9:30 a.m., Saturday, March 14, 2020 at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Watertown.
Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. on Friday, March 13, 2020 at the Wight & Comes Funeral Chapel in Watertown.
Interment will be at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Watertown, SD.
Olga was a devout Catholic and took great comfort in her faith at the end of her life. She grew up in the Byzantine Church, where her father was a cantor, and her brother William ultimately became a Monsignor. Upon relocation to Watertown, she became an active member of Immaculate Conception Church and especially enjoyed the Quilting Group.
Olga Catherine (Levkulic) Majusiak was born on December 10, 1920 in Hazleton, Pennsylvania, the daughter of George and Anna (Fadio) Levkulic. An elegant, friendly and professional businesswoman, she followed in the footsteps of her mother who owned a small grocery store in Hazleton, PA during the 1920s. Olga was well-known as the owner of Watertown Flowers for many years. In 1954, Olga and her husband Joe borrowed $2,000 and moved from Pennsylvania to South Dakota and opened Watertown Flowers in the old Kampeska Hotel. For over 65 years, Watertown Flowers became an important part of the business community in the city. Olga’s daughter, Marie, now owns and runs the family business.
Olga was inducted into the South Dakota Florist Hall of Fame in 1992 after many years of being distinguished as a Master Florist and holding numerous offices in the floral industry’s FTD organization. She traveled to many countries in her 50’s and 60’s as a representative of FTD with her sister, Mary, a florist in Hazleton, PA. Together they went to Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe and a special trip to Russia when its florist organization was accepted into FTD. She was also active for over 30 years in the local chapter of BPW (Business and Professional Women) and held all of its offices throughout that time.
These were no small feats, considering the fact that during this time she also raised and devoted herself to her large family. Her children have many fond and funny memories of “growing up” at the flower shop, and all helped with various jobs in the family business after school: meeting the bus and unpacking flowers at night, sweeping the floor and dusting the displays, working late nights during the holidays, delivering flowers around town, answering the phone and helping customers with orders.
Olga was a warm and loving mother and grandmother. Her children remember her always being there for a bit of advice, a shoulder to lean or cry on. She was most happy holding a baby in her arms and playing on the floor with her grandchildren. She had a light and joyful spirit. Her children inherited her gift of easy laughter.
In her later life, Olga became a quiltmaker and she pieced and sewed close to 100 quilts, wall-hangings, and table-runners which her children and grandchildren treasure. Her favorite quilt she made was one called “Year in the Meadow” that she kept on her bed. She also had a great appreciation for classical music which brought her immeasurable joy and comfort when arthritis forced her to give up quilting. Olga had an extensive collection of CD’s and looked forward to attending performances of the SD Symphony.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Majusiak, and four of her children: Martha Ann, Joseph Jr., Linda (Kevin Kelley), and James (Rachel Klapper).
She is survived by six children: Marie of Watertown, SD; Theresa of Flagstaff, AZ; Andrew of Watertown, SD; Anne (Ken Johnson) of Bristol, VT; Jerome (Laura Dittemer) of Cresco, PA; and Helen (Patrick Howey) of Watertown, SD; and special nephew, Francis (Shelley) Strohfus of Henry, SD. She is also survived by 15 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren.
Memorials may be designated to Prairie Lakes Hospice, 401 9th Ave. NW, Watertown, SD 57201.
Her life and legacy can be summed up in these words: Our lives are like quilts, bits and pieces, joys and sorrows, stitched with love. (author unknown)
Olga Majusiak, 99, of Watertown, SD, passed away after a full, long life on March 5, 2020 at Jenkins Living Center.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 9:30 a.m., Saturday, March 14, 2020 at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Watertown.
Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. on Friday, March 13, 2020 at the Wight & Comes Funeral Chapel in Watertown.
Interment will be at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Watertown, SD.
Olga was a devout Catholic and took great comfort in her faith at the end of her life. She grew up in the Byzantine Church, where her father was a cantor, and her brother William ultimately became a Monsignor. Upon relocation to Watertown, she became an active member of Immaculate Conception Church and especially enjoyed the Quilting Group.
Olga Catherine (Levkulic) Majusiak was born on December 10, 1920 in Hazleton, Pennsylvania, the daughter of George and Anna (Fadio) Levkulic. An elegant, friendly and professional businesswoman, she followed in the footsteps of her mother who owned a small grocery store in Hazleton, PA during the 1920s. Olga was well-known as the owner of Watertown Flowers for many years. In 1954, Olga and her husband Joe borrowed $2,000 and moved from Pennsylvania to South Dakota and opened Watertown Flowers in the old Kampeska Hotel. For over 65 years, Watertown Flowers became an important part of the business community in the city. Olga’s daughter, Marie, now owns and runs the family business.
Olga was inducted into the South Dakota Florist Hall of Fame in 1992 after many years of being distinguished as a Master Florist and holding numerous offices in the floral industry’s FTD organization. She traveled to many countries in her 50’s and 60’s as a representative of FTD with her sister, Mary, a florist in Hazleton, PA. Together they went to Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe and a special trip to Russia when its florist organization was accepted into FTD. She was also active for over 30 years in the local chapter of BPW (Business and Professional Women) and held all of its offices throughout that time.
These were no small feats, considering the fact that during this time she also raised and devoted herself to her large family. Her children have many fond and funny memories of “growing up” at the flower shop, and all helped with various jobs in the family business after school: meeting the bus and unpacking flowers at night, sweeping the floor and dusting the displays, working late nights during the holidays, delivering flowers around town, answering the phone and helping customers with orders.
Olga was a warm and loving mother and grandmother. Her children remember her always being there for a bit of advice, a shoulder to lean or cry on. She was most happy holding a baby in her arms and playing on the floor with her grandchildren. She had a light and joyful spirit. Her children inherited her gift of easy laughter.
In her later life, Olga became a quiltmaker and she pieced and sewed close to 100 quilts, wall-hangings, and table-runners which her children and grandchildren treasure. Her favorite quilt she made was one called “Year in the Meadow” that she kept on her bed. She also had a great appreciation for classical music which brought her immeasurable joy and comfort when arthritis forced her to give up quilting. Olga had an extensive collection of CD’s and looked forward to attending performances of the SD Symphony.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Majusiak, and four of her children: Martha Ann, Joseph Jr., Linda (Kevin Kelley), and James (Rachel Klapper).
She is survived by six children: Marie of Watertown, SD; Theresa of Flagstaff, AZ; Andrew of Watertown, SD; Anne (Ken Johnson) of Bristol, VT; Jerome (Laura Dittemer) of Cresco, PA; and Helen (Patrick Howey) of Watertown, SD; and special nephew, Francis (Shelley) Strohfus of Henry, SD. She is also survived by 15 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren.
Memorials may be designated to Prairie Lakes Hospice, 401 9th Ave. NW, Watertown, SD 57201.
Her life and legacy can be summed up in these words: Our lives are like quilts, bits and pieces, joys and sorrows, stitched with love. (author unknown)