Obituary of Mary Bodnar

A memorial folder from the funeral service may be printed under the "Memories" tab, then choose "Memorial Folder". BODNAR - Mrs. Mary Bodnar of Yorkton, formerly of Winnipeg and the Whitesand district entered eternal rest on January 6, 2014 at the Yorkton & District Nursing Home. She was 91 years of age. Mary was born on March 26, 1922 in the Whitesand district, one of eleven children born to Fred and Magdelene (nee Diakow) Spelchen. She was raised on the family farm and attended Homestead School until Grade nine. She attended catechism at St. Mary's Parish where she sang in the choir. Following her education, Mary did housekeeping for neighbors in the area. Mary was united in marriage to Steve Bodnar on October 20, 1946. The couple moved to make their home in Winnipeg. Here she began employment at the Health Science Centre in Misacordia. At the same time Mary attended evening classes and attained her Licenced Practical Nurses diploma. She continued this career until 1982 when she retired. Following Steve's death, Mary eventually moved back to Yorkton in 1989 to be closer to her family. Here she resided in an apartment and greatly enjoyed going to the family farm to plant a garden and flowers and have picnics. As her health deteriorated, she was admitted to the Yorkton Nursing Home where she resided until her passing. Mary was a member of the Nurse's Association in Winnipeg and a devoted member of St. Mary's Ukrainian Catholic Church at Whitesand. During her leisure time, Mary enjoyed knitting, crocheting and sewing. She also enjoyed watching television. Mary was predeceased by her parents; husband Steve in 1988; sisters Ann Byblow and Pauline Holodiuk; brothers Johnny, Mike, Bill and Nick and brothers-in-law, Steve Byblow, Nick Biblow, Walter Holodiuk and Peter Verheyde. She is survived by her sisters, Dorothy Biblow of Yorkton, Olga Verheyde of Vancouver, Roselyn (Emil) Arabsky of Grand Prairie; her brother Peter (Donna) of Canora; and numerous nieces, nephew, great and great great nieces and nephews. The Prayer Service was held on Friday, January 10, 2014 at St. Mary's Ukrainian Catholic Church in Yorkton. The Funeral Liturgy was held on Saturday, January 11, 2014 at St. Mary's Ukrainian Catholic Church in Yorkton with Very Rev. Father Peter Pidskalny, C.Ss.R. as the Celebrant. The responses were led by Ed Pindus & parish choir members. The cross bearer was Carrie Baptist and the epistle reader was Melissa Spelchen. Remembrances of Mary's life were shared by Melissa Spelchen. The Interment followed in St. Mary's Parish Cemetery at Whitesand with Don Danyluk, Bernard Slugoski, Dean Spelchen, Dale Spelchen, Stan Byblow and Wes Tzupa serving as the casket bearers. Memorials honouring Mary's life may be made to St. Mary's Cemetery Fund, Whitesand. Condolences can be forwarded to the family by visiting www.baileysfuneralhome.com Vichnaya Pamyat! Eternal Memory! Service Information Friday, January 10th, 2014 7:00pm, St. Mary's Ukrainian Catholic Church Saturday, January 11th, 2014 11:00am, St. Mary's Ukrainian Catholic Church Interment Details St. Mary's Ukrainian Catholic Parish Cemetery-Whitesand