Obituary of Olga Koroluk

KOROLUK - Olga Pearl Koroluk (nee Bilyk) entered eternal rest on Monday, March 14, 2011. Olga was born on July 26, 1933; the oldest child of Steve and Annie Bilyk of Stornoway SK. She attended elementary school at Geddes school and graduated from Sacred Heart Academy. After graduation she taught school for two years. On July 30, 1955 she married the love of her life Connie Koroluk, and together they started farming on the family farm near Rhein. Olga loved the farm and over the years raised chickens, geese & turkeys as well as pigs. She milked cows for many years and had a modern dairy. Olga shared all aspects of farming with Connie, and worked along side him with their cattle operation or in the field at harvest, hauling grain. Olga loved to garden and shared her bountiful harvest with friends, neighbours and the hall in Rhein, where she spent numerous hours preparing meals for weddings, anniversaries and Church events. Olga loved to plan and organize. She organized reunions for the Mostoway, Achtemichuk and Koroluk families, complete with books of the family geneology. She was instrumental in organizing the New Canadian School reunion and in the restoring of the cemetery where Connie's parents are buried. Entertaining family and friends was a joy to Olga and she thrived on preparing a banquet fit for a king. We can all recall times at Christmas, gathered round the table, after feasting on the traditional 12 dishes and singing Christmas Carols. Olga was a very spiritual person which was evident by her involvement in the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, first in Rhein then in Yorkton. Olga had a beautiful voice which she shared by singing in the Church Choir & Caroling at Christmas with friends. Olga belonged to the choir of the All Saints Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Rhein, and of Holy Transfiguration Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Yorkton, the Millenium Choir in Roblin and the Trident Choir. She also served on the executive of the Rhein Church and the Grand Hall for many years. She was an active member of the Red Cross first in Stornoway then in Rhein. Olga loved picking mushrooms, camping and fishing. She won the Manitoba Master Angler Award on March 14, 1993 having caught a 34.50 cm. Perch in Lake of the Prairies on hook and line. Olga was predeceased by her beloved husband Connie on March 15, 1999; her father Steve (1985), her mother Anne (2000) and brother-in-law Clarence Laidlaw in 2001. She leaves to mourn her loss and to celebrate her life a brother Mervin Bilyk and his wife Gwen of Yorkton, sister Marcia Laidlaw of Yorkton, sister Susan Babcooke and her husband Norman of Antigonish, Nova Scotia; nephews: William Bilyk (Wanda) of Regina and Marley Maserek of Yorkton; nieces: Christine (Tim) Feist of Nipawin, Barbara (Matthew) McCullough of Saskatoon, Karen (Kevin) Gerrior of Antigonish, Kathy (Tim) Babcooke of Wolfville Nova Scotia and their families, as well as many other family members whom she dearly loved. She also leaves a very special friend, whom she loved as a son, Wendell Gnyp (Elaine) and family. Prayer services were held on Friday, March 18, 2011 and the funeral service on Saturday, March 19, 2011, all from Holy Transfiguration Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Yorkton. Very Rev. Father Mel Slashinsky officiated. Cantor, Gerald Yaholnitsky, assisted by Parish Choir members, led in the singing of the responses. The crossbearer was Barbara McCullough. Members of the Olena Pchilka branch of the Ukrainian Womens Association, led by flagbearer Leona Procyshyn attended the service and lit the honor candles in Olga's memory. The interment took place in the Garden of Gethsemene at the Yorkton Memorial Gardens with William Bilyk, Marley Maserek, Christine Feist, Wendell Gnyp, Bill Nussbaumer and Ted Prokopchuk serving as the casketbearers. Arrangements were in care of Bailey's Funeral Home. Service Information Saturday, March 19th, 2011 1:00pm, Holy Transfiguration Ukrainian Orthodox Church Interment Details Yorkton Memorial Gardens