Obituary of Stella Klimchuk

KLIMCHUK - Mrs. Stella Klimchuk, a resident of Yorkton and District Nursing Home passeed away on December 23, 2006 at the age of 87 years. Stella Eleanor Klimchuk was born on May 22, 1919 in Yorkton, Saskatchewan. She was the fourth child of John and Mary (Urbanoski) Kryski. Her family lived in Yorkton for several years where her father operated his harness shop and then the family later moved to their homestead in the Hamton district. Stella was raised on the family farm, she attended Bridok School, in which her father was one of the founders and she completed her secondary education in Yorkton. On October 8, 1939 she married Metro Klimchuk also from the Hamton district. They moved to Metro's homestead in the same district, just a couple of miles down from Stella's family's farm. They lived and worked together through farming hardships and good times on their family farm. Metro and Stella were blessed with two children, a daughter Eleanor born in 1940 and a son Jerry born in 1943. In 1947, they moved to Yorkton so that their children would have the availability of a better education. Metro continued to farm and commuted on a daily/weekly basis. . She worked outside the home, as a retail clerk at Croll's and Eaton's Department Stores. Once her children left home, she returned to school and graduated from the Yorkton Collegiate Institute with a Business Certificate and then accepted a position as an employment placement officer with the Employment and Immigration (Manpower) Office in Yorkton until her retirement in 1983. She was a member of the St. Andrew's United Church and the Order of the Eastern Star Rebekkah Lodge. She loved gardening, and her backyard patio was an extension of her home. She was very much "the lady". She took pride in her appearance and was impeccably dressed, and always presented herself with class. She loved to travel and said she and Metro were the happiest when they were on wheels. She will always be remembered as being a person who had concern for others always before her, be it a family member, a friend or anyone that needed help. She was dedicated to her husband and children. She loved being with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren; When Metro became ill in 1983, he retired from farming and she retired from her job at the Manpower office. She cared for Metro at home and even after he became a resident of the Yorkton and District Nursing home. She had "supper" with him every night and his well-being was her top priority for five years until his passing in 1995.Stella resided in her home until her health began to fail, when she entered the Aspen Villa Care Home in Yorkton, December of 2003; in July of 2004 she moved to the Norquay Health Care Centre and resided there until her health began to further deteriorate and she returned to the Yorkton and District Nursing Home in 2005 where she resided until her passing in 2006. She was predeceased by her parents, sisters Olga Klimchuk, Jean Lozinski and Adela Grywacheski, her husband Metro, and the very recent passing of her beloved daughter Eleanor Anaka. She is survived and will be lovingly remembered by her son Jerry and wife Joanne Kimchuk of Hamton, grandsons; Dean (Michelle) Klimchuk, Sarah and Matthew of Regina; Kade (Michelle) Klimchuk, Morgan and Jayme of Calgary; granddaughter Kara Klimchuk of Calgary. Son-in-law Allan Anaka of Norquay; grandchildren; Brad (Connie) Anaka and Tyneille of Edmonton; Todd Anaka of Maple Creek, Rebecca, Tiffany and Cassidy; Jana (Rod) Steciuk, Brody and Bailey of Canora. Brother Ed (Florence) Kryski of Regina. Numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. A Gathering of Family and Friends was held at Yorkton Memorial Gardens Family Centre on Friday, December 29th with Rev. Doug Craig of St. Andrew's Unied Church officiating. The organist, Kathy Ostafichuk led the congregation in the singing of the hymns, "Morning Has Broken" and "Beyond The Sunset". Special selections, "Amazing Grace" and "Bandura" were sung by Joanne Klimchuk and accompanied by Sandie Solonenko. The eulogy was conveyed by Joanne Klimchuk. Tne interment followed in the Garden of St. Mark at Yorkton Memorial Gardens with Jerry Klimchuk serving as the urn bearer. Funeral arrangements were in care of Bailey's Funeral Home.