Obituary of Anne Bodnar

BODNAR - Anne Bodnar (nee Rehaluk) of Yorkton, widow of William passed away peacefully on November 23, 2021 at the Yorkton and District Nursing Home at the age of 96. Anne was born in Ethelbert Manitoba on September 28, 1925 the daughter of Michael and Amelia Rehaluk. She was the youngest of 10 children and was predeceased by her siblings: Bill, Philip, Stephanie (Olive), Paul, Dan, Steve, Kay, Mary, and Eileen. She was raised on the family farm and grew up sharing her parents' strong work ethic and family values. She married William (Bill) Bodnar in 1945 and they shared 56 years together before his passing in 2001. They resided on the farm in the Ethelbert district until 1953. After a brief time in Calder, Saskatchewan they moved to Yorkton in 1955. Anne was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. She devoted her life to her family, who were her most treasured possession and embraced her role as a homemaker. She worked tirelessly providing and caring for her family. Bill and Anne's neighbours on Maple Avenue became very special friends, and they loved gathering with them on weekends to play cards and socialize. Anne was a devoted member of St. Mary's Church for over 60 years, and together with Bill volunteered in the church hall cooking and serving. Anne had a passion for gardening, and spent countless hours caring for it and sharing generously the fruits of her labour. She loved to cook and bake. Her Ukrainian dishes were second to none, and her freezer was always full of tasty desserts. There was never a shortage of food around the supper table. She treasured her Ukrainian heritage and maintained and shared the traditions and customs with her family. Anne was a strong and determined woman. She learned how to drive and obtained her driver's license in her 70's, an accomplishment she was very proud of. She lived independently in her own home until she was 94. She liked to be active, going for walks daily that often included a stop for coffee and a chance to visit with friends. In Bill's final years, she walked to the nursing home every day to visit him. Anne enjoyed music and loved to dance. After Bill's passing, she was fortunate to meet a special friend, Arnold Weir. Together they attended dances every weekend right up into her 90's, walked together, and travelled. Her physical work in the garden, combined with her active lifestyle helped contribute to a long and exceptionally healthy life. Anne will be lovingly remembered by her five sons, seven grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. Son Dave (JoAnne) of Regina, their children DeAnne Csada (Derek) and great- grandchildren Alexis (Braden), Brock, Wyatt and Morgan, Todd (Courtney) and great - grandchildren Autumn and Emma, Ryan (Ashley) and great- grandchild (Daxtin); son John (Sheryl) of Yorkton, their children Jonathan (Jenna) and great -grandchildren Nash and Anna, and Michael (Tamara); son Larry of Lake Forest California; son Don (Shelley) of Saskatoon and their children Chris (Stephanie) and Brittany McFadden (Eoin) and great-grandchild Cian; and son Rob of Yorkton. The family would like to thank the caregivers and nurses at the Yorkton Regional Hospital, Foam Lake Jubilee Nursing Home, and the Yorkton and District Nursing Home, for the care provided to our mother this past year. The Funeral Liturgy was held on Monday, November 29, 2021 at St. Mary's Ukrainian Catholic Church in Yorkton with Rev. Father Leonid Malkov, C.Ss.R. as the Celebrant. The responses were led by Lorne Stechyshyn and members of the Funeral Choir. The cross bearer was Nash Bodnar and the epistle reader was Don Bodnar. The interment followed in the Garden of St. Luke at Yorkton Memorial Gardens with Jonathan Bodnar, Michael Bodnar, Tamara Hoffman, Ryan Bodnar, Derek Csada and Wyatt Csada serving as the casket bearers. Memorials in Anne's memory may be made to Camp Easter Seal as gifts of remembrance. Condolences to the family can be posted at baileysfuneralhome.com