Obituary of Anna Baytalan

BAYTALAN - Mrs. Anna Baytalan widow of William Baytalan of Ituna passed away at the Ituna Pioneer Lodge on Saturday, November 6, 2010 at the age of eighty-eight years. Anna was born on June 1, 1922, the third youngest of nine children of Wasyl and Julia (Walewska) Rusenko in the village of Ropica Gorna, Poland. Her parents, as well as her grandparents, farmed in the region making a living from growing crops, raising livestock and maintaining a small fruit orchard. Anna attended grade school in her native village in Poland. Her parents then enrolled her into a convent operated by the Sisters of Mercy in L'viv, Western Ukraine, where she completed another three years of classes. At the age of 19, Anna's freedom came to an abrupt end. The German Gestapo entered the convent on a routine roundup, apprehended her along with other students, and transported the group to a forced labour camp near Breslau, Germany. She resented being treated as a criminal and tried to escape twice,was captured, and finally the Gestapo transferred her to Auschwitz concentration camp, where she spent the next three and a half years until liberation. This was a very difficult time in her life, but she survived with her usual determination. After nearly four years living in Beyreuth and Mainleus refugee camps, Anna left Germany and immigrated to Peoria, Illinois, where she worked as a caregiver to an American family. Anna relocated to Ituna in 1949, where she was united in marriage to William (Bill) Baytalan at Sacred Heart Church on February 5, 1950. The couple farmed in the Ituna district until 1974 when they retired to Ituna. After the passing of her husband in 1986, Anna continued to live in her home until 2006 when she became a resident of the Ituna Pioneer Lodge. She was a life member of the UCWL and faithful parishioner of the Sacred Heart Church. Gardening, stamp collecting, reading and writing were things she really enjoyed. When Anna was a child the family's pastor in Ropica Gorna gifted her with a pen and prophesized that some day she would become a writer. His prophesy did in fact come true for she interpreted and wrote countless letters to the Czech Republic and Slovakia, Russia, Poland, and Ukraine for those who were unable to read or write in the language native to those countries. Forever in Our Hearts. Anna leaves to cherish her memory, her sons Harry (Gaye) Baytalan of Regina, Jerry (Kathryn) Baytalan of Red Deer, AB; grandchildren Camille (Tik) Baytalan-Tycholaz and Michael (fiancé Mellisa) Baytalan of Calgary, AB; sister Stephania Iwanitska of Ternopil, Ukraine, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, relatives and friends in the Ukraine, USA and Canada. Anna was predeceased by her husband William in 1986, and grandson Clayton in 1988. She will be sadly missed and fondly remembered by all who knew her. Vichnaya Pamyat! Eternal Memory! Prayers were held on Tuesday, November 9, 2010 from Sacred Heart Ukrainian Catholic Church in Ituna. Members of the UCWLC paid tribute to Anna through special music by Shirl and Priscilla Halipchak and by leading the praying of the Holy Rosary. Requiem Divine Liturgy was celebrated on Wednesday, November 10th from Sacred Heart Ukrainian Catholic Church with Very Rev. Boris Kyba, C.Ss.R. as the Celebrant. Honourary Crossbearer was Michael Baytalan and Morris Halipchak served as the crossbearer. Jane Chorney carried the UCWLC prapor. Interment followed in the Sacred Heart Parish Cemetery with Harry Baytalan, Gaye Baytalan, Jerry Baytalan, Kathryn Sept, Camille Baytalan-Tycholaz and Tik Tycholaz serving as the casketbearers. Memorials in memory of Anna may be made to the Ituna Pioneer Lodge or to the Sacred Heart parish Cemetery as gifts of remembrance. Condolences to the family may be forwarded to baileysfuneralhome@sasktel.net . Arrangements were entrusted to Bailey's Funeral Home in Ituna Service Information Wednesday, November 10th, 2010 10:00am, Sacred Heart Ukrainian Catholic Church Interment Details Sacred Heart Parish Cemetery