Magdalene Bernadine Cysewski

Magdalene Bernadine(Sadowsky) Cysewski

March 5, 1931 – February 28, 2025

An angel was born to this world on March 5, 1931. She was named Magdalene Bernadine by her loving, kindly parents, Frank F. and Agnes(Karsky) Sadowsky. Magdalene, known throughout her life as Megs, would join a hard-working and devoted family as the sixth in a line of eight Sadowsky children; Martha(passed at 9 months), Marie, Margaret(Peggy), Marcella(Sally), Frank(Buddy), and twins Willomina(Willie) and Wilfred. Megs’ early years were lived toiling on the Sadowsky family farm where she hoed potatoes, milked cows and cared for livestock along with so many necessary tasks of a family farm near Dickinson, North Dakota. The Sadowsky family had a strong work ethic and enduring standards of morality, virtue, and joyful living. These qualities were forged in the Czech culture of the community built by Megs’ forebears who emigrated through Ellis Island, circa 1890. Megs attended St Peter and Paul Catholic Parish School together with her siblings in New Hradec, North Dakota. Later she would attend Dickinson High School where she played basketball, cheered with the high school cheer team and played the clarinet. A determined and adventurous girl and young woman, Megs chose to pursue her passion for nursing at St. Mary’s School of Nursing in Rochester, MN, where she graduated as a registered nurse. Her adventurous spirit led her to work as a traveling nurse where she served people in need of care in fun destinations such as Yellowstone National Park and San Francisco. This is where she met her husband, John L. Cysewski, who was attending college in San Francisco. They married in Milwaukie, OR on June 9, 1956. Megs gave birth to eight of her twelve children in Renton, WA, before moving to Idaho in 1968 where she and John Cysewski established their family farm in the mountains near Hauser Lake. Megs lived here until she could no longer drive about ten years ago. She spent her final years in the capable care of Orchard Ridge in Coeur d’Alene. Thank you to the kind staff who cared for our mother.

Megs lived the Catholic Faith and was a faithful and devoted member of Immaculate Conception Church, Post Falls, ID, where she valued the culture of traditional values and the Latin mass. Whenever she could, she attended daily mass and prayed the rosary. Megs made certain that all her children were given the opportunity to attend Catholic schooling no matter the sacrifices that needed to be made.

Magdalene Bernadine flourished in an era of relative hardship when compared by today’s standards. There was no indoor plumbing or running water, nor electricity. Her oldest sister died at nine months of age, her mother passed when Megs was just three years old, her brother Wilfred passed at three years of age. Megs’ home on the farm was destroyed by fire in 1972when she had ten children where all her life’s possessions were lost. A devoted mother, Megs witnessed and provided care through many life threatening close-calls of several of her children. She recently lost her fourth child, James Andrew (Pam–wife), to a drowning accident.

 Throughout her life, Megs has carried herself with dignity and composure supported by her faith in God. Never was heard from Megs a complaint or a sense that she felt sorry for herself. Never would it be heard from Megs a criticism of another or an insult or disparaging word about another. If ever there was a human here on earth who exemplified the teachings of Our Savior Jesus Christ and modeled kindness, love, care, devotion to God, family, community, and faithfulness to her Catholic Faith in a perfect form, it would be said of Magdalene Bernadine Cysewski.

Magdalene Bernadine was called home by her loving Father in Heaven on February 28, 2025. An angel, born here on earth, returned to heaven after completing her purpose and work here on earth. We know she was greeted by so many loving families especially her mother, Agnes, who have gone before and have helped God prepare a fitting home and place of rest in eternity.

Megs is survived by eleven of her children, Paul John & Tifini(wife), John Eugene & Sindi(wife), Mark Francis & Sara(wife), Leo Joseph & Anne(wife), Damian Anthony & Laura(wife), Mary Agnes & Scott(husband), Teresa Marie & Gary(husband), Maria Louise & Paul(husband), Francis Joseph & Kristie(wife), Margaret Mary & Todd(husband), Martha Marie & Kurt(husband). Grandma Megs leaves behind 23 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren.

On behalf of all your children and grand and great-grandchildren we acknowledge a lifelong debt of gratitude for your mentorship throughout our lives, for your example of Christ-like living, for your untiring devotion to your faith in God and the Catholic Faith. You taught us to be good and decent people, you taught us the importance of healthy living, you taught us to excel in our endeavors and to have pride in our work, and you taught us to explore life with excitement and adventure.

Thank you, We love you Mom! Good bye! Till we meet again…Spanem Bohem!