Obituary
Mrs. Verna Steciuk (nee Wiwcharuk), wife of the late Steve Steciuk, of Preeceville passed away on Novemeber 12, 2022 at the age of 96.
Verna was born on July 2, 1926 to John and Helen Wiwcharuk. Verna’s parents immigrated from the area of Bukovina, Ukraine in 1901 and 1903. Both families settled in the Canora area.
John and Helen married in 1907 and were the first homesteaders in the Endeavour area. They had 8 children: Dolly, Marie, David, Alex, George, Eli, Mike and Verna.
Verna married Steve Steciuk on March 14, 1948 and from there, they started to build their future. Prior to their marriage, Steve had purchased a quarter section of land, and then together they bought a team of horses, a small Ford tractor and a few other implements. Their farm continued to grow when they added four cows, a sow with a litter of piglets, and some chickens. Verna stated they thought they were well off already.
A couple years later, they leased a half section of land for pasture where they started building a herd of cattle for the purpose of milk and beef. In 1960, they bought another half section of land and, in 1962, they got power to the farm. They thought this was really something! During this time, they raised two children, David and LeeAnne.
In 1970, they purchased more land, and, in turn had to buy more machinery. The same year, they also got running water to the house. It was piped from across the road about 1500 ft away, so even though it cost a lot, it sure did make life much easier.
They built up their cattle herd to 100 head however in 1976 cattle prices started dropping so Verna and Steve made the decision that, if they were selling the cattle, they would also sell the land.
They built a new home in Preeceville in 1976 and retired there. Verna said they enjoyed every bit of their retirement where they continued to have a huge garden. She always made sure the freezers were stocked with all kinds of homemade food and that the root cellar was always full of canned goods. Verna was a very hard worker.
Steve passed away in October 2000 and Verna remained in the same house, with the help of a wonderful neighbor, Elsie Semeschuk. Due to mobility issues Verna eventually moved into Preeceville Long Term Care home in April 2021. She enjoyed participating in the activities offered at the home, but her favorite was bingo. She would proudly boast about winning three to five times some days. This shouldn’t surprise you as we all knew Verna was an avid bingo player throughout the years — always “with one more to go!”
Even at 96 years of age Verna was still able to assist us with her knowledge of harvesting, canning and perogy making.
She will be greatly missed.
A family funeral service was held on Wednesday, November 16 at 1:00 p.m. from the Chapel of Preeceville Funeral Home with Rev. John Oussoren of the United Church of Canada officiating. A eulogy and words of remembrance were written by Verna’s Daughter, LeeAnne and granddaughter, Mallory. Special music was Amazing Grace, Go Rest High on That Mountain and Jealous Of The Angels. Interment followed at the Preeceville Community Cemetery with members of Verna’s family serving as casketbearers.
Memorials in memory of Verna may be made to the Preeceville Long Term Care Activity Department as gifts of remembrance.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Verna Wiwcharuk Steciuk July 2 1926 November 12 2022 (age 96)..
Death notice for the town of: Preeceville, Province: Saskatchewan