Josephine Cortus
August 27, 1931 – October 7, 2025
It is with sadness that the family announces the passing of Josephine Cortus in Saskatoon on October 7th, 2025.
Josephine was born in Unity, Saskatchewan on August 27th, 1931, and attended Mount Everest Country School and Unity High School. She completed her teacher's training at the Saskatoon Normal School. She also achieved a permanent first-class teaching certificate through both the University of Saskatchewan and University of Alberta. She taught at Rockhaven, Coronach, Tisdale, and Herschel.
In 1956, she married Arthur Cortus. She then taught in Edmonton and Calgary during the winter seasons until they purchased land and farmed in the RM of Winslow for 61 years.
Josephine served on many boards: The Plenty United Church, Home and School, Home Care and Plenty Museum. She volunteered at the Plenty Library, Explorer's Group, Library Story Hour, and Sunday School. For many years, she organized clothing donations to Cando for the United Church.
After the passing of Art in 2018, she remained in Rosetown until July 2024. She then moved to the Franklin in Saskatoon to be closer to her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She was an avid reader and loved cooking and gardening.
She was predeceased by her husband Arthur; son David; son-in-law Graham Forbes; parents Andrew and Elizabeth Roberts; brother and sister-in-law Robert and Jeanine Roberts; brother and sister-in-law Fred and Mavis Roberts; and sister and brother-in-law Isabel and William Bayda.
She is survived by her children Colleen (Mervin) Shantz, Sheila Forbes, and daughter-in-law Monica Cortus. Her grandchildren: Scott (Rylee and Logan); Benjamin (Kaylee); Sonai Matthias (Casey Christianson) and her children Curtis, Bridgette and Landon; Eli (Jennifer) and son Jack; Travis; and Sheila Shantz (Robin Collins) and her children Maverick, Wyatt, Brandi, and Kalley.
The family would like to thank the Cardiology Unit at the RUH for the excellent care and compassion they provided for “Mum”.
A Memorial Service will take place at Mourning Glory – Windsor Chapel 704 Windsor St, Saskatoon from 2:00 to 4:00 PM.