Obituary of Donnie Wayne Zuchkan

ZUCHKAN - Donnie Wayne Zuchkan, 47 years of Parkerview passed away at his home on May 29, 2008 with his family all around just as he wished. He had fought and battled pancreatic cancer for five months and eight days. Donnie was born on February 25, 1961 at the Yorkton Hospital to Matt and Jean (Koback) Zuchkan. He was the fourth of six children. Donnie attended Parkerview School for one day as he says they closed the school down after he attended. He continued his education at the Foam Lake Schools. Because of Donnie's mischievous nature it was required for him to ride the school bus sitting on the front steps so the driver could keep an eye on him. During his school years life was full. Monday through Friday he would attend classes but made time for a daily noon hour pool game. In the winter Donnie played hockey after school, but when summer came his after school activity was helping out on the family farm, seeding, making silage. His favourite job was working cattle on his trusty horse "Rocket". Weekends were spent playing in the family band "The Majestic Five" first as an accordionist then to a self taught bass player. Sundays were fun days; in the summer, Donnie, his brothers and father would saddle up check cattle in the morning then head for Good Spirit Lake with the family and neighbours. In the winter, chores in the morning then a game of pond hockey with family and neighbours finished with a wiener roast or a supper of roasted chicken in his mother's kitchen. He left school in Grade 11 to go to work in the construction business. He did return to school in 1992 to receive his grade twelve equivalency GED of which his family was very proud and showed so with a home graduation ceremony. Donnie first got to know Tykana on Sunday visits to the neighbours where the children would be forced up stairs to play floor hockey. At the age of sixteen Donnie made his move and started to date Tykana Kowalchuk. After two years of dating on November 3, 1979 Donnie was married to his true love. They purchased a farm near Parkerview where they raised their family. Donnie was also able to fulfill a lifetime dream of being a cowboy when he started working at the Ituna Bon Accord Community Pasture. He was able to share his love of a cowboy with his two sons, as you could drive by and see the three of them roping and treating cattle. Donnie was a social butterfly. Donnie was quite proud to host two yearly events, the Sheho 4H beef Club Achievement Day and the Beaver Hills Poker Derby in his yard. His family was his life. Sundays were family days with Sunday drives to a small town museum or to Koshman's for ice cream. Some of Donnie's favourites were April Fools day, Halloween, early morning wake up calls, or just to call to extend a birthday or anniversary greeting. Donnie loved kids and showed this by tieing up their shirtsleeves up in knots, or asking them, "What's on your shirt... oops". Donnie and Tykana were blessed with two daughters: Jacqueline & Calvin Herman of Rhein, Janel & fiancé Conway Maydonick of Kelliher, 2 sons: Justyn and fiancé Sheila Serlo, and Jessie all of Parkerview. Four grandchildren, Haydn (Sport), Emery (Sportette) Kingsley (Squirt) Herman and Destiny Maydonick (Shortie); his mother, Jean Zuchkan; brothers and sisters: Gloria (Lawrie) Hrynuik, Willie (Donna) Zuchkan, Pat (Andy) Kozey, John (Nancy) Zuchkan, Leanne (Trevor) Silzer, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and godchildren. Donnie was predeceased by his father Matt in 2001. Prayers were held on Monday evening, June 2, 2008, and the funeral service was held on Tuesday, June 3, 2008, all from the Foam Lake Community Hall in Foam Lake. Rev. Daphne Bender officiated. Music was provided by JJ Guy, Vic Mullen, and Hank Ukrainetz. Donnie's nephews and nieces played and led in the song 'Amazing Grace'. Tributes were given to Donnie by members of the Zuchkan and Kowalchuk families. Memorials may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society or the Tuffnell Hall. Arrangements were entrusted to Bailey's Funeral Home.