Aquina Kohlman

Aquina Pauline (Gartner) Kohlman was born November 21, 1944 in Prince Rupert, BC to Michael and Leola Gartner. Aquina grew up in Macklin, SK and was the oldest of 12 children. She met John (Jerome) Kohlman while in high school and they married in 1966. They lived in Saskatoon for ten years where Aquina worked as a secretary at the University of Saskatchewan. While working, Aquina earned her B.A. in 1972 and her B.Ed. in 1974, at which time her and Jerome moved to the Cactus Lake, SK area to farm and Aquina put her B.Ed. to use at high schools in Provost, AB and Denzil, SK. During this time Aquina and Jerome enjoyed traveling and socializing and were active in the St. Donatus community. They could be found playing Buck with their neighbours most weekends.

In 1980 Aquina and Jerome welcomed their daughter, Leanne. It was at this time that Aquina chose to stop teaching, and in 1983 became the long-time post master at the Cactus Lake post office. She enjoyed this job as it allowed her to have regular visits with friends and neighbours.

After 30 years at the post office, Aquina retired in 2013 and moved to Saskatoon to be closer to her first grandchild. More grandchildren followed and Aquina was thrilled to have five grandkids to spoil. They were her pride and joy and she would brag about them to anyone who would listen.

Aquina is probably best known for her exuberant laugh and her love of the Blue Jays. She also continued to travel, and since Jerome preferred to stay at the farm, she enjoyed several solo vacations throughout her retirement years. Aquina was looking forward to traveling with Leanne's family to DisneyWorld in March. Unfortunately God had other plans, and she was diagnosed with terminal cancer at the start of the year. Her health deteriorated quickly and after a brief stay at Glengarda Hospice, Aquina succumbed to her illness and passed away on July 21, 2024 where she was reunited with her father and mother, as well as her sister Deana and brother Jim (Yvette).

Aquina is survived by her husband of 58 years, Jerome, their daughter Leanne (James) McFarland, and her five grandchildren - Harper, Holden, Finley, Grayson and Marlow, who loved their Granny very much.

Aquina is also survived by her siblings: Maralyn (Curt) Snook, Mike (Karen), Edith (Barry - †) Ruth, Bill (Lynn), Hubert (Dorothy), Steve (Eleanor), Randy (Liz), Peggy (Chuck) Stang, and Vince (Brenda), as well as numerous aunts, in-laws, nieces, and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Glengarda Hospice at the St. Paul's Hospital Foundation. https://www.stpaulshospital.org/foundation/donate/donate.php