Obituary of Valerie Ratushniak

A memorial folder from the funeral service may be printed under the "Memories" tab, then choose "Memorial Program". Valerie Ratushniak was born December 23, 1928 to John and Stephania (nee Topolnicki) Hrywkiw in Ternopil region of Ukraine. After her father immigrated to Canada to work, Valerie, her mother and sister Natalie joined him in July 1937 where they farmed their homestead in Buchanan Saskatchewan. Valerie attended Olesha school where she learned the English language and completed her high school at Sacred Heart Academy in 1947 in Yorkton. She obtained her teaching certificate from teacher's college in Saskatoon following which she held numerous teaching positions in Hudson Bay, Canora and Yorkton units. On July 14, 1951 Valerie was joined in marriage to Joseph Ratushniak in Canora Saskatchewan. They made their home in Yorkton and were blessed with 4 children; Terry, Sydney, Marianne and Teresa. They celebrated their 62nd anniversary before Joe passed away in 2013. Valerie and Joe travelled extensively including 3 trips to Ukraine, numerous other European countries, the Holy Land, Australia, New Zealand, throughout Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, Hawaii and many other U.S. States. Valerie kept an impeccable household, spent many hours tending her flower and vegetable gardens and loved cooking traditional Ukrainian food. She was a devoted member of St. Mary's Ukrainian Catholic Church in Yorkton and was involved in many parish activities, the Ukrainian Catholic Women's League (UCWL) serving on the executive, the Cultural Center committee where she and Joe volunteered much of their time, the three editions of the UCWL cookbooks and the church choir which she enjoyed immensely. In 2010, Valerie moved with Joe to the Bentley Retirement Community Center where she met many new friends. In 2012, Valerie joined Joe in the Yorkton & District Nursing Home, Skinner Unit where she lived until her passing. Predeceased by her beloved husband Joe, parents John and Stephania, a granddaughter Alycia Caine and her sister Natalie Wasylkiw, Valerie leaves to cherish her memory her children, Terry (Debra) of Saskatoon, Sydney of Yorkton, Marianne Caine of Edmonton and Teresa (Steve) Pidduck of Saskatoon; a granddaughter Whitney Caine of Edmonton; numerous nieces and nephews and two sisters-in-law Amelia Ratushniak of Saskatoon and Olga Ratushniak of Yorkton. Service Information Monday, December 22nd, 2014 7:00pm, Bailey's Funeral Home, Yorkton Tuesday, December 23rd, 2014 10:00am, St. Mary's Ukrainian Catholic Church Interment Details Yorkton City Cemetery