Ardith ‘Ardie’ Kowalski, age 75, passed away peacefully on August 22, 2026, at Medicine Hat Regional Hospital, Medicine Hat, Alberta (AB), surrounded by the care and familiarity of the Nursing profession. Ardie was born on July 28, 1951, in Wadena, Saskatchewan (SK), to parents, the late Lorne and Myrtle Kowalski. Ardie was their third of four daughters, alongside sisters Donna, Lorna (both pre-deceased), and Terri. The Kowalski family returned to Kenaston, SK, in the mid-1950s, where she attended school and made friends throughout the district before graduating and worked at Dutch Growers in Saskatoon, SK. Ardie later attended Carleton University in Ottawa, Ontario (ON) where she studied Journalism and enjoyed residence life. Ardie returned home the following year and enrolled at the University of Regina, Regina, SK, where she studied Education, and relished being closer to family and friends.
Teaching opportunities arose throughout Saskatchewan in 1974, resulting in her hiring/placement at Glentworth, SK, where she taught Grades 1 & 2 and enjoyed the children, as well as the social nature of the other teachers and residents. Once the school year concluded, she returned home to contemplate other teaching positions before settling on Regina, SK, for better opportunities. Her only child, son Burke, was born in 1976 and they remained in Regina while she worked for the Government of Saskatchewan before she returned home to Kenaston in 1980. She commuted to work in Saskatoon, SK, before relocating there with Burke in 1981, where she enjoyed the camaraderie of co-workers at Bausch & Lomb Optical. Saskatoon was her pride and joy for family/social life and residence; however, the economic downturn of the 1980s led her to consider moving elsewhere.
In 1988, she jumped at the chance to be closer to her sister Lorna, and moved with Burke to Brantford, ON. The early days in Brantford were beleaguered with challenges; however, her most fulfilling and rewarding career began nearby in Hamilton, ON. In 1989, she enrolled in the Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) program at Mohawk College, embraced the challenge, and was readily hired at St. Peter’s Hospital in Hamilton upon graduation. She enjoyed a 25 year career at her beloved St. Peter’s, working alongside treasured nursing colleagues where she provided compassionate care to dementia patients. She retired from Nursing in 2014 and remained in Brantford for several years while developing a yearning to return to the heartland of Saskatchewan. She even travelled to New York City for one last Broadway show or two in 2019.
In 2020, she relocated to western Canada, enjoying brief stops in Calgary, AB, and Maple Creek, SK, before settling in Medicine Hat, AB. She took comfort in being closer to family and looked forward to visits, always ready for a coffee and conversation. Health challenges took their toll throughout her later life; she conquered cancer multiple times with staunch resilience, but the disease returned. She loved her residence apartment but had to depart abruptly for a brief hospitalization where her health rapidly declined. She took solace in being cared for by the very profession she had passionately served and managed to share one last brief chat with immediate family before passing. Many thanks and appreciation to the staff at Medicine Hat Regional Hospital, Cancer Clinic and Ward 4 West for their compassionate care.
Ardie was a loving, caring, and dedicated Mother who is survived by her son Burke (Jolene) Kowalski, sister Terri Milburn, nieces Janet, Valerie, Colleen, and Kathy, nephews Derek and Evan, along with extended family, friends, and caring neighbors. Funeral arrangements in the care of Cook Southland Funeral Chapel Ltd, Medicine Hat, AB, in concert with Hanson’s Funeral Services Ltd, Davidson, SK.
A Celebration of Ardith’s Life was held in Kenaston Place Community Hall, Kenaston Sask. on Friday, September 11 at 2:00 p.m.
A small family service will be held and Ardith will be interred in St. Andrew’s Cemetery, Kenaston, Sask.
