Obituary of Frances Denesyk

DENESYK - Mrs. Frances Denesyk of Yorkton entered eternal rest on Palm Sunday April 17th, 2011. She was in good spirits that day but the Lord saw her health weakening and blessed her with a quick and pain free passing. She was 82 years old. Frances was born and raised at the Karapita family farm, 1-mile north of Jedburgh. She was the fourth child of five born to Phillip and Pauline Karapita. She attended school in Jedburgh and was called to stay at home to help care for her bedridden father before she could complete her education. She stayed on the family homestead after her marriage to Steve Denesyk and continued to farm with him for over 50 years. When she retired and left that yard in 2002 she had lived there for 74 years! Frances loved to dance. It was at one of those famous Jedburgh dances that she met Steve. They married on July 15, 1950 and raised 3 daughters. Fran and Steve had many city nephews and town boys stay at their farm from time to time. Fran always became a favoured lady and aunt. When the grandchildren came along Fran was a constant in their lives. They too spent many summer holidays at the Jedburgh farm and visited often. Boy, do they have memories of that place! Visits from grandchildren and great-grandchildren always made Fran's blue eyes light up and sparkle. Fran loved the farm, it was her life. The mixed-farm operation was hard work but she always rose to the challenge. She missed it immensely when she and Steve moved to Yorkton. She enjoyed outdoor work much more than indoor work. She was a darn good grain hauler and had affection for Holstein cows, much to Steve's dismay. She loved to drive the farm quad and understood why her grandchildren liked speed. She loved stargazing and commented often on the beauty of the night sky. Fran could be very particular, especially about clean windows, vacuuming, baking bread, and of course, her hair. She loved fashion and jewellery but she was also very practical. We all remember her favorite pair of cowboy boots for chores with her John Deere hat and long sleeved man-shirt completing her farm look. Frances enjoyed gardening, knitting, crocheting and sewing. She was a well known local curler in her day and enjoyed watching it on TV during her retirement. Baseball and hockey were other favoured sports. She was active with the Ukrainian Catholic Church, the Good Deed Club, and the Farmer's Union. She took great pride in having helped to compile the Jedburgh & District History Book. She loved to travel and saw many parts of Canada, England, Ireland and France. The Polar Bear trip to Churchill was a Canadian highlight. As a royal watcher, seeing the Queen in England was her European highlight. Mom's friends called her Frances or Fran, or Frannie. It seemed each relationship she had was somehow individual. She did have many friends. She was humble, quick with a smile and spoke kindly of everyone. She is now, our special star in the sky. Frances leaves behind her three daughters: Linda (Ray) Groff of Regina, Peggy (Richard) Sarada of Yorkton, Cheryl (Allan) Denesowych of Yorkton; seven grandchildren: Rae (Hank Bolsterli), Tammy Groff (Werner Matlschweiger), Susan Groff, Michael Sarada, Lori (Justin Komarychka), Tanner and Cole Denesowych; five great-grandchildren Oliver and Madelyn Bolsterli and Molly, Anna and Jack Komarychka; her remaining sister Jean (Calvin) Thompson; sisters-in-law Lena Denesyk and Cecelia Denesyk; and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, friends and neighbours. She was predeceased by her husband Steve in 2004; her parents Phillip & Pauline; her brother John Karapeta, and sisters Adele Karapita and Rose Berryman; sister-in-law Mary Karapeta and brother-in-law John Berryman; her nephew Phillip Karapeta; and great-nephew Jordan Sherring (Karapeta). The funeral service was held on Thursday, April 21st at Yorkton Memorial Gardens Family Centre with Very Rev. Fr. Peter Pidskalny, C.Ss.R. officiating. The responses were led by Ed Pindus, Colette Karapita and St. Mary's Choir Members. Serving as cross bearers were Oliver & Madelyn Bolsterli and Molly & Anna Komarychka. The honorary pallbearer was Tammy Groff. The interment took place in the Garden of St. Luke at Yorkton Memorial Gardens with Rae Bolsterli, Mike Sarada, Susan Groff, Lori Komarychka, Tanner Denesowych and Cole Denesowych serving as the casket bearers. Memorials in memory of Frances Denesyk may be made to the Saskatchewan Lung Association. Condolences to the family can be forwarded to www.baileysfuneralhome.com. Eternal memory! Vichnaya pamyat! Funeral arrangements were in care of Bailey's Funeral Home. Service Information Thursday, April 21st, 2011 2:00pm, Yorkton Memorial Gardens Family Centre Interment Details Yorkton Memorial Gardens