Obituary of Woytas. Nick

WOYTAS - Mr. Nick Woytas of Yorkton, formerly of the Jedburgh district, beloved husband of the late Adella Woytas on May 3, 2012 at the Yorkton Regional Health Centre. He was 93 years of age. Nick was born on December 6, 1918 to Max and Nellie (nee Blishchak) Woytas. He was raised on the family farm 5 ½ miles SW of Jedburgh. He attended Forest Nook school obtaining a grade 8 education and made a daily trip of eight miles to school by foot regardless of the weather. On July 29, 1926 Nick's mother passed away at the young age of 36 leaving a lasting effect on him. In the late 30's and early 40's Nick rode freight cars from Yorkton to various places in Ontario and Manitoba where he worked in construction, lumber camps and the CNR. In 1941, Nick joined the Royal Canadian Army training in Dundurn, Maple Creek and Prince Rupert. He served in Canada, United Kingdom, Belgium, Holland, France and Germany returning home on October 4, 1945. He was discharged March 4, 1946 and started his own farm purchasing the NW-01-26-08. On June 9, 1946 he married Adella Hiduk and raised one daughter Lillian and one son Lionel. Nick enjoyed farming and loved animals of all kinds. Always a farmer at heart, Nick said the farm was the best place to live as he claimed nobody actually bothered you there. Nick and Adella continued to be active on the farm and lived there until 2002 when they moved to Yorkton. Nick remained in his own home until March, 2010 and then due to declining health moved to the Gladstone Seniors Residence in Yorkton. Nick enjoyed people, visiting, antiques, curling, a glass of wine, playing cards (a master of cribbage scoring a perfect "29" hand) and was always up for a political debate. He would tell many stories from his army days and his knowledge about all things was "well rounded". Family and friends will remember Nick as a man with an incredible memory, a smirky smile and an often witty sense of humor. Nick was predeceased by his parents Max and Nellie Woytas, his beloved wife Adella in 2004, his siblings John, Mike, Bill, Steve and Marion. Adella's parents Dymetro and Maria Hiduk, Sisters-in-law Anne Benko and Marcella Hiduk, and Brothers-in- law Metro Benko and John Hiduk. Nick is lovingly remembered by his daughter Lillian (Jim) Lohneis of Saskatoon and their three children Jeffrey (Melfort, SK), Jordan (London, UK), and Jenelle (Regina, SK) and son Lionel (Barb) and their daughter Grace of Jedburgh, SK along with his brother-in-law Mike Hiduk of Jedburgh, SK, sister-in-law Pauline Woytas of Port Coquitlam, BC; uncle Nick Blishchak and aunty Mary Shuflita, both of Yorkton as well as numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. Prayers were held on Tuesday, May 8th at the Chapel of Bailey's Funeral Home. The Requiem Divine Liturgy was held at St. Mary's Ukrainian Catholic Church in Yorkton on Wednesday, May 9th with Rev. Father Methodius Kushko, C.Ss.R.as the Celebrant. Serving as the cross bearer was Geralyn Hiduk and as the epistle reader was Lillian Lohneis. The Legion Burial Rite was conducted by members of the Royal Canadian Legion, General Alexander Ross Branch # 77. "All Those Friends and Acquaintances Who Shared in Nick's Life" were considered honourary pallbearers. The interment took place in the Garden of Crucifixion at Yorkton Memorial Gardens with Jim Lohneis, Jeffrey Lohneis, Garry Fehr, Bob Hiduk, Barb Woytas and Kay Fransishyn serving as the pallbearers. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.baileysfuneralhome.com Xpuctoc Bockpec! Christ Is Risen! Service Information Wednesday, May 9th, 2012 10:00am, St. Mary's Ukrainian Catholic Church Interment Details Yorkton Memorial Gardens