JAMES, Kristina “Tina” Rae
December 10, 1972 - July 28, 2015
Kristina Rae James, our beloved ‘Tina,’ passed away on July 28, 2015. Tina was born on December 10, 1972 in Cereal, Alberta, the only daughter of Merilyn & Don Dziatkewich. Tina received her education at Oyen Public School. After high school, she spent a year at Olds College, taking an employment course. She then moved to Drumheller to enter the D.A.R.T.S. program. She competed in many Special Olympics meets around the province, including the Canadian Nationals in Calgary. Tina qualified for the Summer Games twice, in Spruce Grove and Wetaskiwin. She also went to the Winter Games in Ft. McMurray. She competed in track and field and 5-pin bowling. While Tina was living in Drumheller she caught the eye of Don James They fell hard for each other and were married on May 14, 1994. This union was blessed with two great sons, Brian and Dylan. Tina and Don moved to Cereal with Brian where Don was employed with Special Areas. Dylan soon completed their family. They later moved to Oyen and gained many new friends. Here they did extra jobs, such as picking up garbage, shoveling snow and doing yard work for people. Tina loved to go to the movies, play games on her phone, and spend time with her kids. She loved babies and was always happy for new moms. Tina liked to walk up town and go for coffee with Brian at Deb Mart. She always loved people and greatly enjoyed visiting with the many friends that dropped in. Tina is survived by her husband Don; sons Brian and Dylan; parents Don and Merilyn Dziatkewich; brother Gerry; mother-in-law Alice Hoare of Drumheller; brothers-in-law Ted (Jen) Hoare of Hanna, James Hoare of Drumheller, Mike Fast, and Larry James of Edmonton; niece Victoria; aunts and uncles Edna and Murray of Innisfail, Wayne and Joy of Ferintosh, Harold of Wetaskiwin; many cousins whom she dearly loved; and Jody Rude, her best friend “BFF” since they were little girls. Tina will be greatly missed. Funeral Service was held Wednesday, August 5, at the Royal Canadian Legion Hall in Oyen, Alberta. Officiating Clergy was Bonnie Burke. A tribute was given by Kris Dahl and James Hoare and special music was provided by Jack and Robbie Shields. Hymns were “Amazing Grace” and “Just A Closer Walk With Thee.” Honorary Pallbearers were Brock Lindblad, Kris Dahl, Melissa Dahl, Struan Heath, Tami Olds, Colin Dahl, Brandon Lee, and Corey Loran. Memorial tributes may be directed to the Alberta Heart & Stroke Foundation, #124, 430 - 6th Ave. SE, Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 2S8; Big Country Hospital Foundation, Box 150, Oyen, Alberta, T0J 2J0; or to a charity of the donor’s choice. Following the funeral service, family and friends were invited to a luncheon hosted by the Cereal and Oyen United Church Ladies in the Legion Hall. MacLean’s Funeral Home of Oyen in care of arrangements.
