Browse the obituary of residing in the province of Alberta for funeral details
Michael “Mike” Vaselenak Obituary
Our beloved Father, Grandfather, and Great Grandfather, Michael (Mike) Vaselenak (92) of Lethbridge, passed away suddenly on Thursday, November 21, 2024, at Chinook Regional Hospital. We will miss him so very much.
Mike was born to Michael and Mary Vaselenak in Lethbridge on April 21,1932. He got his first job in grade 6 at Mihalik’s Grocery in Lethbridge. He loved playing baseball and broom ball with his brothers and friends. In the 1950s, Mike played baseball with the Lethbridge Miners and the Lethbridge Cubs. He enjoyed feeding the birds and has a Crow friend who returns every year.
In 1957, Mike married Freda Davies, and they had 3 daughters, Sharon, Dianne, and Lisa.
In 1968, Mike started as Assistant Manager and Manager of Loblaws stores in Lethbridge.
After that, “Big Mike” became the Manager of Bert’s Grocery in Picture Butte until his retirement at age 65. (He had a great time working there with Bert, Al, Monika, Rita, Donna, Murray, Rick, Mike T, Sheri, etc… along with the fun Associated Grocery trips they would take, he would talk fondly about that time often). Mike was also on the Board of Directors of Lethbridge Central Savings and Credit Union.
After his retirement, Mike enjoyed gardening (his specialty was growing tomatoes and cucumbers), and going for coffee & golfing with wonderful friends Ron, Margaret, John, Bob, Felicia, Marie, Ian, Anne, Ted, Dick, Clark, Lorraine, Blanche, Shirley, George S., etc…). Mike made many cherished friends over the years through work, sports, the singles club, the Credit Union, and the neighborhoods he lived in. Some, like Jim Cattoni, were life-long friends.
Mike loved his family and treasured the time spent with them.
Mike is survived by daughters Dr. Sharon Vaselenak (Dr. Glen Zenith), Dianne Vaselenak, and Dr. Lisa Chater (Mark); grandchildren, Dr. Mila Zenith (Peter Dushenski), Laura Zenith (Fred Punter), Michael Zenith (Olia), and Kathleen Zenith; great grandchildren, Niko and Ari Dushenski, Julian and Maxim Zenith, and Bradley and Hayley Zenith-Punter; ex-wife & good Friend, Freda Davies Wapple; nephews Larry Rasmussen, Steven Raben, Curtiss Vaselenak, and Rory Vaselenak; nieces Lorna Rasmussen, Linda Rasmussen, Cari MacLean, Cindi Vaselenak, Monique Raben-Struik, and Shannon Doyle. Mike is also survived by beloved dog, Rigby, and loving cats, Zedd, Marty, Luke, and Neo.
Mike was pre-deceased by his parents, Michael and Mary Vaselenak; his sister, Mary Raben; and brothers, George Vaselenak and John Vaselenak.
Mike’s family wishes to thank the wonderful home care givers, nurses, and Doctors, who helped Mike over the years, along with his amazing Neighbours. Angels on Earth.
A special thank you to the family and friends who visited Mike in the Hospital, you cheered up his spirits and brought him such joy.
A Celebration of Mike’s Life will be held in Spring 2025. An announcement will be made closer to that date.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Last Chance Cat Ranch Rescue, www.thelastchancecatranch.com/ , Misty Creek Dog Rescue, mistycreekdogrescue.com/ , the Food Bank, lethbridgefoodbank.ca/ or
a Charity of your choice.
Please share any stories or memories that you may have of Mike in the comments. Mike’s family will treasure those.
To send flowers
to the family or plant a tree
in memory of Michael “Mike” Vaselenak, please visit our floral store.
Read More
April 21 1932 November 21 2024 92 Years Old
Death notice for the town of: Lethbridge, Province: Alberta
death notice Michael Mike Vaselenak April 21 1932 November 21 2024 92 Years Old
obituaries notice Michael Mike Vaselenak April 21 1932 November 21 2024 92 Years Old
We offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Michael Mike Vaselenak April 21 1932 November 21 2024 92 Years Old and hope that their memory may be a source of comfort during this difficult time. Your thoughts and kind words are greatly appreciated.
