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James Craik
February 19, 1949 – January 15, 2015
On January 15, 2015, a new star was born in the early morning sky. Jim passed away peacefully with his family by his side at the Rosthern Mennonite Nursing Home. He was 65 years old. Jim is survived by his wife, Carol, of 43 years; their daughters, Colleen (David) Fourney & Laura (Tyson) Wheeler; and two grandsons Paxton James & Linden Cade Wheeler. He also leaves to mourn his sister Marilyn (V. Bruce) Irvine; his brother William “Bill”(Linda); many nieces & nephews – Lee-Ann Irvine (Jose Cabrera), Cam (Cely) Irvine (& Sophia, Isla, & Karina), Sandie Irvine (Michael Claassen) (& Nael), Lee (Kendra) Craik (& Avery, Adley & Andi), & Christopher (Jamie) Craik (& Finn); his mother-in-law, Caroline Ellis; brother-in-law Gerald (Betty) Ellis (& their children Jason (Fawn) Ellis (& Jeremy), Adam (& Teagan McAngus), Drew (Lori) Ellis (& Zander and Darian), and Rory); and brother-in law Keith (Gail) Ellis (& their children Darrick (Erin Beck) Ellis (& Maxen), Chandra (Derrik) Olsen (& Holden and Easton), Lyndon (Amanda Merkosky) Ellis, (& Janessa Ellis). Jim valued family and stayed in contact with many Craik, Tennent, Alexander, Ellis, and Schnitzler uncles, aunts, and cousins. He was predeceased by his mother Edna Mary Craik (nee Alexander), father Gordon Hartwell Craik, and father-in-law William Reginald Ellis. Jim was born at St. Paul’s Hospital in Saskatoon, on Feb. 19, 1949. He attended Brunskill Elementary School and graduated from Nutana Collegiate in 1967. After attending Teachers’ College, he began his career at Rosthern, SK. in Sept 1968, where he taught until his superannuation in 1998. He married Carol Ellis on Aug. 14, 1971, and they settled in Rosthern and had two daughters. He loved this community and gave back whenever he could. He was an active member of the Rosthern Lions Club for 27 years. In 1989, Jim and Carol purchased a cabin at Emma Lake. He loved spending time at the lake with family and friends; visiting around campfires and watching beautiful prairie sunsets. In his retirement, he tapped into his love of words, writing and photography becoming a freelance journalist, mainly for the Sask Valley News. In 2003, he was honoured to be named Rosthern’s Citizen of the Year recognizing his involvement in the community. All throughout his life he was a huge sports fan and followed many sports. He had a special pride for the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Recently, he revelled in being a grandfather to his two grandsons. A Memorial service will be held on Monday, January 19, 2015, at 10:30 am at St. Odilon Parish Complex, 3004 Saskatchewan Street (Hwy 312), Rosthern. His family wishes to thank the doctors, nurses, and staff at the Rosthern Hospital, Saskatoon’s Royal University Hospital, Wakaw’s Lakeview Pioneer Lodge and the Rosthern Mennonite Nursing Home for the amazing care Jim received while battling cancer. Memorial donations may be made to the Sask Valley Hospital Foundation Inc., Box 93, Rosthern, SK, S0K 3R0. Arrangements in care of Funk’s Funeral Home, Rosthern.
Charlotte Gauthier
April 27, 1916 – January 29, 2015
The passing of Charlotte Gauthier, age 98 years of Duck Lake, occurred at Goodwill Manor Care Home on January 29, 2015. Our much-loved “Aunty Charlie” was predeceased by her parents Henri and Marie (Courant) Gauthier; sister Helene Gauthier; brother George (Jeanne) Gauthier; sister Louise (Cyrille) Kleine; brother Andrew (Germaine) Gauthier; and nephew-in-law Bernard St. Pierre. She is survived by 10 nieces and nephews: Louise’s family; Doris (Wayne) Strudwick, Lucille (Terry) Powell; George’s family; Raymond (Vera) Gauthier, Therese Panchuk, Estelle (Doug) Trout, Jeannine (Michel) Forseille, Marie (Brad) Drechsler; Andrew’s family; Paul (Donna) Gauthier, Rene (Karen) Gauthier, Leo Gauthier; 22 great nieces and nephews, and 32 great, great nieces and nephews.
Charlotte was raised in Laplaine, SK and moved with her parents to Duck Lake in 1947 to a home that her father built. She took care of her aging parents and stayed in that home until she moved into a senior’s duplex in Duck Lake in 2002. In 2013, she was hospitalized and moved into Goodwill Manor as a resident in November 2013. Aunty Charlie was very happy there; it truly became her home. The staff at Goodwill Manor took excellent care of our precious Aunty and we are very grateful for the kindness they showed her. Aunty Charlotte accepted the loss of her family members and dear friends over the years with grace and dignity, and delighted in each new addition to our extended Gauthier family. She was always interested in all of our lives and was a very good source of family and local history for the many years that we were fortunate enough to have her with us. Aunty Charlie enjoyed visiting with friends and family, playing cribbage, Duck Lake rummy, making jigsaw puzzles, listening to the news at least three times a day, watching the Lawrence Welk show, devilled eggs and lemon pie. Aunty Charlotte’s faith was very important to her; attending Mass each Sunday was a must and when unable to attend in person, she would watch the Mass on TV Sunday mornings. She prayed the Rosary faithfully each day; we knew that she worried about us and prayed for us all.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Rev. Phinh Do on Saturday, February 28, 2015 at 10:30 A.M. at the Blessed Sacrament Roman Catholic Church, Duck Lake, SK. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to George Gauthier Foundation c/o Goodwill Manor, Box 370, Duck Lake, SK S0K 1J0. Interment will take place at Blessed Sacrament R.C. Cemetery. Arrangements are in care of Funk’s Funeral Home, Rosthern, SK.
Elmer Geransky
October 20, 1934 – February 1, 2015
The death of Elmer Geransky, age 80 years, occurred on February 1, 2015 at Lakeview Pioneer Lodge, Wakaw. He is survived by his wife Helen (Goertzen) Geransky; four children; daughter Sheryl (Sean) McGuire, Lois Saunders, Kelly (Twila) Geransky, Keith (Vanessa) Geransky; 12 siblings and their spouses and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, Frank and Susie Geransky; uncle Philip Geransky, niece Cheryl Ens and cousin Wes Geransky. The Funeral Service will be held on Friday, February 6, 2015 at 11:00 A.M. at the Rosthern Mennonite Church, 3016 5th Street, Rosthern, SK. Interment will take place at Hague (Old) Cemetery. Arrangements are in care of Funk’s Funeral Home, Rosthern
Earl Giesbrecht
March 6, 1947 – January 29, 2015
With great sadness we announce the passing of Earl Giesbrecht following a lengthy illness. Born and raised in Hague, SK., Earl loved the outdoors. He was an avid fisherman, hunter, and camper. He spent many happy hours with family and friends in these pursuits. Earl will be lovingly remembered by his wife Betty; daughter Bonnie (James) Gibson; grandchildren Talia, Abby, and Ivy; siblings Linda (Gordon) Dyck, Lorne (Agnes) Giesbrecht, Sheila (Curtis) Jeffery; in-laws Victor (Evelyn) Rupps, Al (Dee) Amendt, Dorothy (Wes) Holiday, David (Christine) Amendt, Darlene (Richard) Reeves; nephews, nieces, extended family, and many dear friends. He was predeceased by his parents Peter and Anne Giesbrecht; brother Bob Giesbrecht, and mother-in-law Alena Rupps. A special thank you to all the staff at Rosthern Hospital for all your care and support over the years. A celebration of Earl’s life will be held on Monday, February 2, 2015 at 2:00 P.M. at Laird Mennonite Church with Lutheran Minister, Pastor Jason Johnson officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Rosthern Hospital Foundation, Box 88, Rosthern, SK, S0K 3R0 or the Laird First Responders, Box 189, Laird, SK, S0K 2H0. Interment will take place at Stony Hill Cemetery. Arrangements are in care of Funk’s Funeral Home, Rosthern
Marlene Blatz
September 29, 1941 – January 24, 2015
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Marlene. She passed away peacefully in the hospital on January 24, 2015 at the age of 73 with family by her side. Marlene will be sadly missed, but forever remembered by her loving husband of 53years Rodney; her children Kerry (Monique), Kent (Laurel), Lori (Ken), Kirt (Robyn); grandchildren Devin (Allison), Brandon, Alyssa, Courtney, Brett, Megan, Brianne, Reagan, and Brennan; great-grandchildren Gavin and Nolan; brothers Alvin (Elaine), Albert (Joyce), Harvey (Mary), Dennis (Margaret); sister Elaine (Ron); and numerous nieces and nephews. Marlene is predeceased by her parents, Roy and Adeline Schmidt; sister Edna; brother Donald William (Bill); father-in-law Edward Blatz; mother-in-law Isabelle; brother-in-law Barry; and sister-in-law Cynthia. The Funeral Service will be held at Rosthern Mennonite Church, 3016 5th Street, Thursday, January 29, 2015 at 2:00 pm. Interment of her ashes will take place in Rosthern Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Sask Valley Hospital Foundation Inc., Box 93, Rosthern, SK S0K 3R0. Arrangements are in care of Funk’s Funeral Home, Rosthern, SK
Walter Hrycuik
April 2, 1939 – January 20, 2015
Walter Eugene Hrycuik passed away on January 20, 2015, at Rosthern Hospital at the age of 75. Walter is survived by his wife Gwen, son Darcy (Lisa), daughter Gena (Kelly) Johnston; grandchildren, Jack and Anna Hrycuik and Hayley, Brendan, Sarah and Marissa Johnston; siblings Robert (Ksenia), John (Dorothy), Elsie (Gordon) Koch and Eugene (Brenda); sister-in-law Janet (Reg) Potter; aunts Bernice and Nellie Hrycuik and Mary Chohanik and his many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, Dmytro and Polly Hrycuik; in-laws, Eugene and Alma Groshong and brother-in-law Donald Hendry. Walter was born on April 2, 1939, in Wakaw, SK. He was raised in the Fish Creek area and finished his schooling in Rosthern, SK, where he resided until his passing. He married Gwen Groshong in 1967, and their marriage was blessed with two children, Darcy and Gena. Walter farmed and operated an insurance office in Rosthern. He loved spending time with family and especially his grandchildren. He enjoyed fishing, cars, travelling and visiting with friends and relatives. He was an Honorary Lifetime Member of the Lions Club and a Mason. A celebration of Walter’s life will be held on Saturday, January 24, 2015, at 2:00 pm at St. Odilon Catholic Church, 3004 Saskatchewan Street, Rosthern, SK with Lutheran minister Rev. Sarah Dymund presiding. Donations in his memory may be made to the Saskatchewan Heart and Stroke Foundation, 279 – 3rd Ave. North, Saskatoon, SK S7K 2H8 or the Sask Valley Hospital Foundation Inc., Box 93, Rosthern, SK S0K 3R0. The family wishes to express their sincere thanks to the doctors, nurses and other medical professionals who helped care for him. Arrangements are in care of Funk’s Funeral Home, Rosthern, SK
Charlene Marie Burlack
April 20, 1960 – August 12, 2015
The death of Charlene Marie Burlack, age 55 years of Rosthern, occurred suddenly on August 12, 2015. She is survived by her daughters, Veronica (Craig) Weinert, and Vanessa Burlack (Garret Atkins); mother, Fran Sobkowicz; brother, Kim (Kim) Sobkowicz; parents-in-law, Maurice and Nellie Burlack; and brother-in-law, Glen (Donna) Burlack. She is predeceased by her husband, Ronald Burlack; father, Eddie Sobkowicz; and brother, Glenn Sobkowicz. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Odilon Roman Catholic Church, Rosthern on Wednesday, August 19, 2015 at 11:00 A.M. with Rev. Phinh Do presiding. Burial of ashes will take place after the Funeral Service in Rosthern Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Heart and Stroke Foundation, 279 3rd Ave. N, Saskatoon, SK S7K 2H8 or Sask Valley Hospital Foundation Inc., Box 93, Rosthern, SK S0K 3R0. Arrangements are in care of Funk’s Funeral Home, Rosthern.
