From the Archives (1971): Mrs. Katherien Dochniak marks 100th Birthday at Vialta Lodge
Originally published January 6, 1971 – On December 18, 1970, Mrs. Katherien Dochniak celebrated her 100th birthday at the Vialta Lodge in Viking.
The head table was centred with a lovely cake tastefully decorated, a gift from the Viking Bakery.
Seated with the honoured lady were her two granddaughters, Mrs. Ole Lund and Mrs. Rudy Mizera, also Mrs. Peggy Soroka, Mr. Ole Lund, Kay Borthwick and Mrs. Lillian Evans.
Mr. Selmer Hafso, emcee for the afternoon, called on Mrs. Rudy Mizera who read a very interesting history of the past 100 years, stating that Mrs. Dochniak was born in Gnojnice, Austria.
Katherien and her husband landed in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1904 and settled on a farm south of Bruce. Her descendants are six daughters; Mrs. Joe Mizera of Bashaw, Mrs. Pete Mizera of Bruce, Mrs. Tony Wozney of Wainwright, Mrs. Frank Wancho of Ohaton, Mrs. Steve Kishlewick of Daysland, Mrs. Dan Smith of Vancouver. She also has 34 grandchildren, 67 great-grandchildren, and nine great-great-grandchildren.
Messages of congratulations were received from The Queen, Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau, Premier Harry E. Strom, Ltd. Gov. Grant MacEwan, MP Robert Stanfield, Rt. Hon. John Diefenbaker, MP Donald F. Mazankowski, Archbishop A. Jordan, and many other friends and relatives.
Mr. Selmer Hafso extended greetings on behalf of the Town of Viking. Mrs. Jack Roddick expressed best wishes on behalf of the County of Beaver.
Miss Kay Borthwick spoke of the eight years Mrs. Dochniak has resided in the Viking Lodge. All the Lodge residents joined in the singing of “Happy Birthday.”
A lovely lunch concluded the afternoon.
Please note: sometimes historical articles contained typos or inaccuracies, as one couldn’t simply “Google” the correct answer in those days. For the most part, we try to republish the original story as it appeared.
