EMILY MARY LISKA (NEE PANAS) – APRIL 9 1929 – JULY 15 2026, AT THE AGE OF 97
It is with sad hearts that the family of Emily announces her passing after a valiant battle with cancer. She passed peacefully at the Biggar Hospital. She leaves to mourn her daughter Connie (Muise), son Paul and partner Marjorie MacDonald. Along with great grandchildren Carter and Ellie and many nieces and nephews.
Emily was predeceased by her husband John, daughter Della and by all her sisters Helen, Mary, Olga and brother Walter.
She was born and raised in the village of Lapine and moved later to Jensen which was close to Wakaw. She remembered going to the Bukovina school until grade 9 before she had to work full time on the farm. Eventually her parents Elko and Mary retired to Saskatoon and Emily worked at the Bessborough Hotel.
Emily met John and they were married June 3, 1950. They moved to the farm near the Britain and Czech hall communities and forged a future with their incredible work ethic. Milking cows, raising 500 chickens for her customers in town every year, selling eggs and raising turkeys, pigs, ducks, geese, cattle, and the occasional goat and lamb.
The garden was always too big, but she preserved much of the garden and harvested and shared the fresh vegetables and berries with friends, family and neighbours. She was dedicated to helping others and always lending a helping hand and bits of advice.
She was a founding member of the New Horizons where she volunteered at the Bingos, teas, fair days and manned the phone for the courtesy car until recently. She baked countless cookies for the museum’s fundraising efforts. Emily signed up with Home Care when her and John retired to Biggar in 1982 from the farm. And helped deliver Meals on Wheels and worked in the lodge. She volunteered for the Catholic Church Women’s Guild and sang in the choir for many years.
Emily had many interests and hobbies besides her oasis of a garden including sewing, knitting, petit point and John and Emily enjoyed curling during the winter, as well as square dancing and travelling.
She held her driver’s license and drove her car outside of the winter months but mostly she will be remembered walking everywhere she went in town.
Emily will be dearly missed by all her family and friends.