Obituary of Jennie Mary Schurko

SCHURKO - It is with great sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Jennie Mary Schurko (Karapita), our very loving Mother, Grandmother and Great-Grandmother. At the Yorkton Regional Hospital, on May 15, 2021, at the age of 84, Jennie found peace after a difficult struggle with cancer. Jennie was born, November 25, 1936 at the family farm, near Jedburgh, Sask to Bill & Katie Karapita. She was the oldest of seven children; Sisters Irene, Violet, Sonia, Iris, Patricia and Brother William Jr. Jennie received her early education at nearby, rural Folkstone School. Unfortunately, as so many of her generation, her years of formal education were shortened when the family required extra hands on the farm & in the home. In later years, as time permitted, she became an avid reader on the many subjects that peaked her interest, with numerous dog-eared books and articles filling bookshelves & file cabinets; all with margin notes, hi-lites and post-its, attesting to her eager & curious mind. Young Jennie, with her lively black eyes, brilliant smile and quick sense of humor caught the attention of neighbouring farm lad, Ernest Harry Schurko. They were married October 14, 1956 in Yorkton, Sask with celebrations following in Jedburgh. Their union was blessed with two children, a daughter in 1957, Rosalind (Stephen) and a son in 1960, Ronald (Georgina). The family unit happily welcomed many new members as the years flew by, and all felt the huge loss of its patriarch when Ernest passed in July, 2014. A few weeks after their marriage, Jennie & Ernest moved to their own farm, 5.5 miles southwest of Theodore, Saskatchewan. Their farming activity varied over the years, starting with mixed farming, including cattle, large numbers of both turkeys and chickens, as well as grain. Eventually, as Ernest started working away from home to supplement the family income, the farm gradually moved to strictly grain producing. With Ernest away from home all week, it was left to Jennie to manage both the farm & family. She was very capable of using every piece of equipment they owned and did so. Jennie had a green thumb that got greener & greener as the years past. She started with two very large gardens that provided for the family. When the need to grow large quantities of food eased she started gardening more as a hobby. Gardening became her passion year round as she explored different techniques, using greenhouses and in-house lighting stations in the basement. Every year her garden showcased her latest experiment and every year was beautiful to both the eyes and the soul. If you needed to know what bug was what bug or how to get the best out of your own gardening, she was the one to call. Jennie was also a very warm & welcoming hostess. It didn't matter who you were, where you came from or where you were going or how long you were staying, you were welcome at the family table. She made sure everyone was fed. If you ever left her home and said you were hungry … well, you had no one to blame but yourself! Jennie leaves, to be grateful for her presence in their lives and to mourn her passing … her children & their spouses, her siblings & their families, four grandchildren: Farrah (Kevin) Kit, Colton, Adam, Leeland Schurko), three great-grandchildren: Felicia, Casey & Madison Kit, two step-grandchildren: Krista (Andrew) Richardson & Stephen Jr (Katy) Wort and 4 step-great grandchildren: Cooper & Lainie Richardson and Kinsley & Easton Wort), brother-in law Frank Schurko, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and friends. Jennie was predeceased by her husband Ernest, her parents, parents in-laws, sister Violet Wlock, nephews Steven Parker & Trevor Kernsted, brothers in-law Mervin Schurko, Carl Riley, Frank Toth. The Funeral Service was held on Saturday, June 19, 2021 from the Yorkton Memorial Gardens Family Centre with Crystal Bailey, Certified Celebrant officiating. Words of remembrance were given by Rosalind Wort. The interment followed in the Garden of St. Luke, Yorkton Memorial Gardens. Memorial donations may be made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation or the Cancer Foundation of Saskatchewan as gifts of remembrance. Condolences may be left for the family at www.baileysfuneralhome.com. Thank-you to the Doctors, Surgeons, Nurses and Medical Support Staff of the Regina General Hospital, Tavi Clinic and Allan Blair Cancer Clinic. As well, Dr. Mosuro, Nursing and Palliative Care Staff at the Yorkton Regional Hospital. Your compassionate care of our Mother through the months of her cancer struggle was and will always be, very much appreciated. Your respectful support allowed her the independence to find peace with as much dignity as was possible. A heartfelt Thank-you to Bailey's Funeral Home, Crystal Bailey and Ronna Nagy for their care and support of Jennie, Roz, Ron and families. Service Details. Service When: Saturday, June 19th, 2021 2:00pm Location: Yorkton Memorial Gardens Family Centre Address: Highway #10 East YORKTON, SK Interment Location: Yorkton Memorial Gardens Address: Highway #10 East YORKTON, SK Online Memory & Photo Sharing Event Ongoing Online Event About this event In Loving Memory Of Jennie Schurko November 25, 1936 - May 15, 2021 Look inside to read what others have shared Family and friends are coming together online to create a special keepsake. Every memory left on the online obituary will be automatically included in this book. View Tribute Book