Genevieve Therese Turta (nee Zawislak)

Genevieve Therese Turta (nee Zawislak) passed away on February 19th, 2026 at Surrey BC Memorial Hospital at the age of 83 years old. Genevieve was born on November 24th, 1942 in Kamsack, SK. Growing up, she lived on the family farm in Hyas, SK. Genevieve attended Ulrich School, located just west of the farm, for grades 1 through 8. She attended high school in Hyas, SK for grades 9 through 12. Following graduation, Genevieve moved to Winnipeg, MB to attend hairdressing school. After successfully finishing the course, she moved to Melville, SK to work.

Genevieve met Ernest Turta at a dance by Swan Plain SK, and the two married on June 30th, 1963 at St. Thomas Church in Norquay, SK. The newlyweds relocated to Yorkton, SK. While Ernie pursued his career in trucking and shipping management, Genevieve stayed home to manage their growing household of 3 rambunctious boys – Dwight Ernest (1965), Kenneth Ward (1967), and Garrett Dean (1971). She enjoyed gardening and crocheting blankets, and was an excellent cook and baker. Genevieve continued her craft, offering hairdressing services to friends and family from her home. The family enjoyed many camping and road trips in a converted bus across western Canada and the northwest states. They spent many weekends at the family farm in Hyas, SK to help with farming and visiting relatives and friends. Ernie and Genevieve had strong faith and were active members of St. Gerard’s Roman Catholic Church in Yorkton SK.

In 1986, Ernie & Genevieve moved to Castlegar, BC where they purchased and successfully ran the Fireside Motor Inn together for 10 years. Genevieve was an integral part of the operations, overseeing the restaurant, banquet facilities and housekeeping services. In 1995 they sold the motel and retired to Abbotsford BC. They later relocated to Langley, BC where Genevieve was still living at the time of her passing. During retirement, they kept active travelling, including several holidays to their favorite Hawaii. She loved the company of her fluffy cat Fifi and later her little Cody dog. They kept busy with friends and were active in the Roman Catholic church.

Genevieve was predeceased by her husband Ernest Turta in 2019, parents Lucy (Goleski) Zawislak (2009) and William Zawislak (2007), her mother-in-law Katie (Burtney) Turta (1983) and father-in-law Spiridon Turta (1993). Genevieve will be sadly missed by her three sons – Dwight (Linda) Turta, granddaughter Martina (Jamie) Senyk and great-grandsons Bryson and Quinn of Melville SK; son Kenneth Turta of Vancouver, BC; and son Garrett (Lucia) Turta of Jasper AB, grandsons Jackson and Jordan of Sherwood Park AB; and her brother Dale (Terry) Zawislak and family of Hyas SK, along with many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and good friends.

Genevieve will be lovingly remembered for her kindness, dedication to family, faith, and quiet strength.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated 11:30 a.m. on Friday, February 27th, 2026, at St. Nicholas Roman Catholic Parish in Langley, BC with Fr. Nixon D’Silva officiating. An internment at Fort Langley Cemetery will be held on a later date. 

Memories and condolences may be left at www.kearneyfs.com .