SOLONENKO - Steve Solonenko beloved husband of the Late Anne Solonenko of Yorkton, formerly of the Stornoway district. Following a lengthy battle with cancer, Steve passed away with his loving family at his side on December 28, 2005 at the Yorkton Regional Health Centre. He was eighty-four years of age. Steve was born on February 13, 1921 and was raised on the family farm in the Stornoway / Stone Creek district, the eldest son of the late Mike and Mary (nee Mysko) Solonenko.Steve attended school at Stornoway until him and his brother John had to help their Dad in the farm business. On July 20, 1947, Steve was united in marriage to Anne Pidhorodetsky. The couple farmed in the Stornoway area, working together to accomplish a successful farming business. They were blessed to have four children, a son, Dennis and three daughters, Phyllis, Judy and Adeline. Steve was totally involved in the farming business and did serve on the Stornoway Co-op board of directors. Steve was involved in mixed farming in his early years but later went into grain farming with the help from his son. Steve enjoyed spending many hours on the field but he also enjoyed a good party with family and friends. He loved to dance especially the Kolomaka and the Chuban and playing the Ukrainian harp. Steve enjoyed travelling to Europe visiting his relatives in Ukraine, and visiting his daughters across Canada from Nfld. to B.C to the Yukon. He also loved to attend several farm tours in the USA. Steve and Anne moved to Yorkton in 1992 but still remained very active in the farming business. His dream was to help his son on the farm until his grandsons were old enough to take over. After Anne's death in 1999 and Steve's decline in health, he was forced to retire at the age of eighty.
On July 2, 2002 Steve decided it was time to move to a personal care home, Aspen Bluffs Villa where he resided until his short stay at the hospital on December 18, 2005. Predeceased by his parents, Mike (1969) and Mary (1990), his wife Anne (1999) his brother John (2003), his brother-in-law's Bill Stupak (1992) and Walter Shwaga (1989). He leaves to mourn his passing and to celebrate his life, son, Dennis (Sylvia) Solonenko and grandchildren Cortney (Crystal) Solonenko, Stornoway, Coralie (Jason) Nott, Roblin, Man. Devin and friend Sarah, Stornoway. Daughters, Phyllis and friend Harvey, Yorkton, and grandchildren Steven and friend Deanna, Rankin Inlet, NWT, Trina and fiancé Ryan Brooks Alta, Jennifer and friend Brennan, Yorkton and Kelly, Brandon, MB., Judy Remenda and grandchildren Morgan and Melissa, Vancouver, BC., Adeline (Larry) Nickel and grandchildren Scott and Brock, Lethbridge, Alta. Brother, Matt (Carolyn) Solonenko and sisters Olga Stupak and Emily (Peter) Pryszlak of Yorkton, Sister-in-law Suzan Solonenko of Yorkton plus numerous nieces, nephews and friends. A Service of Comfort for family and friends was held on Sunday, January 1, 2006. Funeral Services were held on Monday, January 2, 2006 from the Yorkton Memorial Gardens Family Centre with Thom Carnahan of the United Church of Canada officiating. Granddaughter, Jennifer Fitzpatrick read the poem 'No Sad Tears For Me'. Tributes and words of remembrance were given by son, Dennis Solonenko and daughter, Adeline Nickel. The organist, Karen Roulston led the congregation in the singing of the hymns 'Just A Closer Walk With Thee' and 'How Great Thou Art'. Soloist, Sandy Solonenko sang 'Amazing Grace'. Interment followed in the family plot in the Garden of Crucifixion in the Yorkton Memorial Gardens with Cortney Solonenko, Jeff Shwaga, Devin Solonenko, Richard Solonenko, Larry Solonenko and Larry Nickel serving as the casketbearers.