Obituary of Bernard Matsalla

Bernard Matsalla, beloved husband of Julia of Yorkton passed away on Wednesday, November 6, 2019 at the Yorkton Regional Health Centre. He was 81 years of age. Bernard was born July 27, 1938 on the family farm in the hazel Dell district of Saskatchewan. In his teen years he left home to work for farmers in the Tiny area. In the late 1950's, he started employment with Bannister Construction in Alberta. He then obtained 240 acres of land in the RM of Invermay in 1961. In 1959 he met Julia Swiderski, and they were married on October 20th 1962. He always joked about his anniversary being 21/10 because his parents made him a wedding on the 21st of October. The couple moved into the house he had built the previous summer and started farming. He continued to work away from the farm while Julia remained on the farm to look after the livestock. He worked in the mines at Thompson, La Ronge and Snow Lake until 1968. He stayed at home for one year and worked for Wyonzek Construction to pay off the cost of bulldozing cultivated land. In 1974 his back gave out from the work in the mines, and they had to leave the farm and relocate to Yorkton. He found employment at Morris Industries as a welder and retired after 29 years of service. Bernard found retirement boring, so he worked at Wal Mart for 10 years. He loved gardening, and made new flower beds every summer. He received several horticultural awards from the City of Yorkton. He took great pride in his property's appearance. He also spent a lot of time in his workshop in the back yard working on his many carpentry projects with the Martin houses being his latest, many of which found homes with friends and family. He organized the first Matsalla reunion in 1989. He took great interest in keeping families together and getting to know them and staying in touch. The church was a very important part of his life and he enjoyed attending services. His first parish he attended was Dobrowody Church, and while he lived in Yorkton was a committed member of St. Gerard's Parish. He has 43 nieces and nephews, and has kept in touch with each and every one of them, whether they lived near or far. Together, he and Julia have 15 godchildren. He was predeceased by his parents John and Josephine; and by two brothers, Henry and Edward. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Julia; son Sidney (Debbie) and his granddaughter Makayla; his brother Tony (Iris); and by three sisters: Lena Knash, Bernice Chopty, and Mary Matsalla. Prayers were held on Monday evening, November 11th 2019 from St. Gerard's Roman Catholic Church in Yorkton. Mary Bybliw was the Lay-presider, Makayla Matsalla was the Lay-reader. Pianist, Chris Fisher led members of the Parish Choir in the hymns ‘Be Not Afraid', Psalm 63, and ‘Prayer of St. Francis'. The Funeral Mass was celebrated on Tuesday, November 12th 2019 from St. Gerard's Church with Rev. Fr. Louis Kim Nguyen as Celebrant. The Crossbearer was Makayla Matsalla, the Lay-readers were Cathy & Shelley Knash, and the Giftbearers were Deborah & Sid Matsalla. Accompanists Chris Fisher & Zita Serhan led member of St. Gerard's Parish Choir, the Rama Choir and the Polish Choir in the hymns ‘Here I Am Lord', Psalm 40, ‘On Eagles Wings', Badzze Pozdrowiona', ‘Immaculate Mary', ‘Song of the Angels' and ‘Serdeczna Matko'. Honorary bearers were Taylor, Dana & Morgan Shymanski, Tony, Iris & Cheryl Matsalla, Richard & Alice Swiderski, Bernadette Cooper, April Stadnyk, Lena & Theresa Knash, Dianne Rapp & Sharon Biccum. The interment followed in the Garden of Memories at the Yorkton Memorial Gardens with Gary Knash, Wayne Knash, Doug Matsalla, Liz Schmidt, Makayla Matsalla, Stan Shymanski and Brianna Shymanski serving as the casketbearers. Condolences can be left at baileysfuneralhome.com Service Details. Prayers Monday, November 11th, 2019 | 7:00pm When: Monday, November 11th, 2019 7:00pm Location: St. Gerard's Roman Catholic Church Address: 125 Third Ave. N. YORKTON, SK S3N 1C4 Funeral Mass Tuesday, November 12th, 2019 | 10:00am When: Tuesday, November 12th, 2019 10:00am Location: St. Gerard's Roman Catholic Church Address: 125 Third Ave. N. YORKTON, SK S3N 1C4 Interment Location: Yorkton Memorial Gardens Address: Highway #10 East YORKTON, SK