Obituary
With great sadness, the family of the late Lillian Steranko announce her passing at Preeceville & District Long Term Care, Preeceville, SK, on October 31, 2022, at the age of 99 years.
Lillian (nee Koroluk) Steranko was born in Canora, SK, to Metro and Katherine (Kratchkowski) Koroluk on January 11, 1923. The family lived on her dad’s homestead north of Hyas. She was the second oldest of 8 siblings. She attended Lake Helen School, north of Hyas. One of her teachers inspired her to participate and pursue singing, note music and Ukrainian dancing. At that time, she sang alto, played the mandolin in the school orchestra, and Ukrainian danced. Performances were during Christmas concerts and other social functions. In later years, she wrote a GE exam and obtained her certificate and then, through correspondence, took courses in Ukrainian from grade 9 to 12.
In her early life, she helped with farm chores and household duties where she learned to cook, knit, and sew at an early age. In 1941, she found employment at Stenen and then Endeavour. In 1942, she moved to Winnipeg and was employed at a sewing factory sewing coats. She then took on a job at a Dress factory. While there, she also joined the Ukrainian community choir and as a result, received additional voice training.
She married Pete Steranko on September 10, 1944. In 1945, they purchased a quarter of land north of Stenen, near their families, who always supported them when needed. In 1946, their first son, Ronald Thomas, was born. The second son, Steven Metro, followed in 1947. Life wasn’t easy, as the hard labour on the farm gave minimal monetary reward for the produce sold. To supplement usual farm family income, Lillian knitted sweaters. She also began decorating beautiful elaborate and unique wedding cakes. She made every detailed rose and dove and many other decorative elements for the cakes with icing sugar. Some of her cakes travelled as far as Edmonton and Toronto. Being a proficient seamstress enabled her to sew many of her sons’ clothes. She also cross-stitched – embroidered many Ukrainian costumes.
Besides being very family oriented and taking on a role of a family historian and matriarch, she was also devoted to community service, her church, and promoting her Ukrainian heritage and culture. In 1973, Lillian started directing the Ukrainian Orthodox Church Choir in Stenen with four-voice singing. Later she taught a combined choir from Norquay, Hyas, Stenen, Sturgis and Endeavour. She also enjoyed singing O Canada in Ukrainian occasionally at many events in the area. She canted at numerous funerals in the area until 2017, at age 94.
She also committed herself to maintaining Ukrainian customs and traditions, teaching children Ukrainian language classes, Ukrainian dancing, Easter egg decorating, and singing, beginning in the 1960’s. She and her students appeared on Yorkton Television on a number of occasions.
Over the years, Lillian was a member of the Sturgis Legion Ladies Auxiliary and the Stenen Seniors Club and volunteered at the Trident Church Camp at Crystal Lake. In the late 1970’s, she was on the Arts Committee for the Ukrainian Women’s Association of Canada.
In 1981, she organized and was president of the Stenen Ukrainian Dance Club called the Stenen Barveenok Dancers. She retired from the club in 2016 but remained a consultant and supporter.
Over the years, Lillian received many awards. Two highlight awards were, the (2003) Nation Builders award and in the (2017) St. Andrew The Apostle Centennial Award from the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada.
Through her unselfish devotion, she has touched many lives.
Lillian was predeceased by her husband, Pete; parents, Metro and Kaska (Katherine) Koroluk; and siblings: Mihaleena, in early childhood, Metro, Gust, Verna, Peter and Katherine; and brothers-in-law, Mike Doroschuk, Paul Zawerucka and Mike Lazaruk.
She is survived by her sons, Ron (Adeline), and Steven; her grandchildren: Tanya (Kevin) Gullion, Peter Steranko, and Tara (Carey) Novak; great grandsons, Cameron and Matthew Gullion; sister, Madelyn Zawerucka; and sisters-in-law, Nellie, Vicky and Loretta Koroluk; as well as many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
Private funeral services will be held from the Chapel of Leson’s Funeral Home, Canora, SK, with Rev. Fr. Michael Faryna officiating. Interment to follow in the Canora Cemetery, Canora, SK. Those wishing to make expressions of sympathy may make donations to the Health Foundation of East Central Saskatchewan or to a Charity of Donor’s Choice, as tokens of remembrance, in memory of Lillian Steranko.
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Lillian Steranko 2022..
Death notice for the town of: Canora, Province: Saskatchewan