Obituary of Helen Ratushniak
The family of Helen Ratushniak of Yorkton, beloved wife of the late Joseph Ratushniak, sadly announce her passing on December 21, 2024.
Helen loved to entertain. She was a wonderful cook and baker, no one ever left their house hungry. She had a passion for sewing, gardening and being out at Madge Lake with her family and friends. In her younger days, she spent a lot of time running to and from skating rinks, curling rinks, and swimming pools to support her family.
Helen’s career began as a salesclerk, and later she became employed as a bookkeeper. Then her skills with sewing enabled her to become employed as a custom drapery seamstress. After a few years Helen realized she had the skills and experience to own and operate her own business, ‘Superior Drapery’. She started in her basement and after a couple of years, moved to downtown Yorkton where she finished off her successful career of over 20 years. Helen reached into the homes of her community and surrounding area with her skills and creativity.
After raising her own children, Helen was blessed with her grandchildren whom she cherished and spoiled with her love. She was a generous, and caring grandmother. After her retirement, she was able to spend more time visiting those that lived away for days at a time. She was always available to be called upon as a taxi service, meal provider, and whatever else was required. She left all her grandchildren with cherished memories that they will carry with them always.
Helen was a faithful parishioner of St. Mary’s Ukrainian Church and later St. Gerard’s Roman Catholic Church. She was an active member of the Ukrainian Catholic Women’s League and volunteered for various events and positions within the league.
Helen was predeceased by her loving husband, Joe in 2002. Her parents, Paul & Annie Wolkowski, her older sister Lucy & her husband Henry Henlisia. sister Josephine, and sister-in-law Carol Wolkowski.
Helen leaves to cherish her memory; son Blair & his wife Sheila Ratushniak of Otthon; grandson Devin Ratushniak (Destiney Melnychuk), & great grandson Myer; granddaughter, Teegan and her husband Brian Lubiniecki, two great granddaughters Sterling and Aspen; daughter Carol & her husband Mark Prosser of Caresland; grandsons Steven and Sean, Carol’s daughter Janine Hartsook & husband Kurt Novak of Calgary, and great granddaughter Vivian Howe; daughter Sandra & husband Craig McKenzie of Strathmore; grandson Adam & his wife Shelby, great grandchildren Corbin and Levi, grandson Alex (Kerri Moar), and granddaughter Brooke and her fiancé, Quaid McBean. She also leaves to mourn her sister Elizabeth Trach (Nestor) of Humbolt; brothers Bernard Wolkowski of Canora; and Gerald Wolkowski (Marjorie) of Yorkton and many nieces and nephews.
Special mention to the staff of the Skinner Unit and Wallace House of the Yorkton Nursing Home for their excellent long-term care of their ‘Auntie’ Helen. Thank you for being there for her when we could not be.
Visitation for family and friends was held on Friday, December 27, 2024 from the Yorkton Memorial Gardens Family Centre. The Funeral Mass was held on Saturday, December 28, 2024 from St. Gerard's Roman Catholic Church with Rev. Fr. Sathiadas Antony as Celebrant. Sean Prosser, Teegan Lubiniecki and Bev Trach read scripture. The gift bearers were Sandra McKenzie and Carol Prosser. Accompanist Janelle Gotengco led the congregation in the hymns. The interment followed in the Garden of Gethsemane, Yorkton Memorial Gardens with Devin Ratushniak, Adam McKenzie, Alex McKenzie, Quaid McBean, Mark Prosser and Brian Lubiniecki serving as casket bearers.
Memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer Society of Saskatchewan as gifts of remembrance.
