Obituary of Mary Koroluk

A memorial folder from the funeral service may be printed under the "Memories" tab, then choose "Memorial Program". KOROLUK - Mrs. Mary Koroluk passed away in the early morning hours on Friday April 11, 2014, at the age of 89 years at the Roblin Personal Care Home, with her daughter Karen by her side. Mary was born on February 20, 1925 on her grandparents homestead near Rhein, SK to Peter and Zorria (Andrychuk) Todoschuk. Mary was the second child in a family of five. Mom was raised on her parents family farm near Veregin, SK.. Mom spoke of her memories of her childhood fondly. Although her and her siblings worked very hard on the farm, Mom was very proud that by the age of nine she was fully responsible for doing all the laundry and the bread baking for her family (and she sure made delicious bread). She talked many times of walking two and a half miles to school with her sister Anne, and how they would sing as they walked through bushy areas because they were scared. Mom was able to attend school until 8th grade and then had to stop as grades 9 to 12 were only offered in Kamsack, SK at that time, which was too far away and she was needed at home to help on the farm. Mom also shared her memory of being able to spend two months with her grandmother Andrychuk who taught her how to knit, embroider, crochet and sew. These crafts she did throughout her entire life. At the age of 15, at a Dnieper hall dance, Mom met a handsome young man from the Stornoway, SK area by the name of Alex Koroluk. With the "dirty" 30's just ending and the means of transportation not so readily available, their courtship consisted of Saturday night dances at that little country hall. World War II started shortly afterwards. With Dad going off to war, the courtship continued through letters. Because engagement rings were hard to come by, Mom received a little parcel one day with a watch and a wedding proposal inside, and so they became engaged. Mom decided to venture off to Winnipeg with her cousin to take her hairdressing course, and after completing her training worked in Winnipeg, Regina and Brandon through the war years. In her travels back to these cities in recent years, she marvelled at how these cities had grown, remembering how they walked everywhere when looking for apartments and work. Mom was thrilled when about ten years ago we managed to find that the little hair salon she trained in was still there and still open in Winnipeg. Tragically, at the age of 18 she lost her mother. At that time she came back home to help her father on the farm with her youngest brother "Bill", moving to Yorkton with them while her younger brother "John" took over the farm. With the war ending, Mary married Alex on November 2, 1946 in Kamsack, SK. As newlyweds, and with Dad wanting to farm, they ventured off to Weyburn, SK to work for a large grain and cattle farmer. After spending one winter on the "open prairie", Dad and Mom decided to move back to a farm in the Kamsack area. In 1952 they purchased a farm just over the border on the Manitoba side, near Makaroff, MB. In 1958 they were blessed with the arrival of their only child, a daughter. During their farming years near Makaroff, Mary kept herself busy as a farm wife, growing huge vegetable gardens with carefully manicured lawns and beautiful flower gardens. She subsidized the farm income by milking cows and selling cream, raising chickens and selling eggs and butchering chickens, geese and turkeys for sale. Mary did sewing for various women and sewed many bridesmaid dresses for many local weddings. Mom also volunteered her time as a 4-H leader for the Grandnarrows sewing and garden club. Moms Ukrainian heritage was also very important to her. Ukrainian cross stitch was lovingly done on many table cloths and table runners, and displayed on almost every piece of furniture along with the many crocheted doilies she created. She spent many hours making Ukrainian traditional foods along with her delicious bread, buns, pies and baking. Mary loved to can, and in the fall the kitchen was always busy, and full of wonderful aromas from her preserves. With her daughter's graduation and leaving home for college, Mary again joined the workforce and started housekeeping at the Roblin Health Centre, a job she enjoyed immensely, making many new friends. In 1981 Mom and Dad retired into Roblin, becoming members of the St. John's Ukrainian Orthodox Church. Mom then became a member of Women's association there, working tirelessly for the many church functions and events. Mary was also a part of the association known as the sisters of the Ukraine. The arrival of each grandchild was a celebrated event for her, and her and Dad became an integral part of their lives, hosting many a sleepover, taxiing to many hockey and skating practices, dance lessons, swimming lessons, etc. In "Granny's" kitchen there was always something good to eat waiting for them. Mom always loved to shop, always dressed immaculately, whether her clothes were homemade or bought, and her hair always had to be "just so". However our fondest memories of her is working in her garden with one of Dad's old long sleeved shirts on and wearing her "farmer's" hat with the pom-pom on top. In 1991, at the age of 66, Mom retired from the hospital and focused her attention full time to other interests. She kept herself busy by attending Ukrainian reading and writing lessons, her beautiful yard and garden, and her home. She created many cross stitch pictures and kept busy with knitting, crocheting and sewing. Mom and Dad always attended the Dauphin Ukrainian Festival and attended many of their grandchildren's sporting and musical events, always supporting all their various endeavours and interests. And, as always, she was by her daughter's side offering help in any way she could. Mary and her daughter Karen were constant companions, and when they couldn't be together, talked daily on the phone. Mom became Dad's full time caregiver in 1997 when Dad fell, breaking his neck. Although Dad's health returned after his accident, in 1999 he suffered a stroke. She diligently carried on until Dad's declining health forced him to enter the Roblin Personal Care Home in April of 2002. Mom visited him daily, always there to feed him support and fuss over his care. After Alex's death in 2005, Mom's health started to decline. In 2006, mom suffered 2 heart attacks and in June of that year had bypass surgery allowing her 4 more years in her own home. In January of 2010 Mom entered the Roblin Personal Care Home and remained there until her passing. Mary is survived by her daughter Karen (Clarence) Bauer of Roblin, MB. Grandchildren Clinton (Sheri) Bauer of Virden, MB; Jennalee (Shawn) Gareau of Esterhazy, SK; Dustin (Lisa Kitz) Bauer of Lake Alma, SK; Matthew Bauer of Roblin, MB. Great grandsons Connor and Kain Gareau of Esterhazy, SK. Mary is also survived by brothers William (Agnes) Todoschuk of River Glade, NB; Ron Todoschuk of Abbotsford, BC. Step sisters Bernice Churko of Winnipeg; Gloria (Ike Martins) of Red Deer, AB. Step brother Wally (Marge) Kitzul of Winnipeg. Sister-in-laws Effie Todoschuk of Flin Flon, MB; Elsie Todoschuk of Kamsack, SK; Pearl Kitzul of Swan River, MB; Brother-in-law Mike (Nellie) Koroluk of Yorkton. Sister-in-law Effie (Arnie) Boehm of Yorkton. Alice Koroluk of Kamsack, SK. Along with numerous nieces and nephews. Mom was pre-deceased in death by her beloved husband of 58 years, Alex; her parents Peter and Zorria Todoschuk; stepmother Mary Todoschuk; her brothers Mike and John and her beloved sister Anne Mullen; her step sister Olga Ludba and step brother Andy Kitzul; Alex's parents Theodore and Martha (Gnyp) Koroluk; brother-in-laws Bill, John and Nick Koroluk; sister-in-laws Annie Rapchuk, Mary Andrusiak and Lena Derkatch. Prayers were held on Monday April 14, 2014 and the Funeral Service on Tuesday April 15, 2014 at St. John's Ukrainian Orthodox Church Roblin, Manitoba with Rev. Father Brent Kuzyk officiating. The responses were led by Edith Yellowega, Martha Paniusk, Pauline Werbowetsky and parish choir members. The cross bearers were Connor & Kain Gareau (Beloved Great Grandsons). Serving as honorary bearers were Ester Rubletz, Lena Kozmenuk, Emily Bauer, Elaine Baumung, Anne Nowasod and her friends and fellow co-workers from St. John's Orthodox Women's Association. The interment took place in the Garden of Crucifixion - Yorkton Memorial Gardens with (Beloved Grandchildren), Clint Bauer, Sheri Bauer, Shawn Gareau, Jenna Gareau, Dustin Bauer and Matthew Bauer serving as the casket bearers. Memorials honouring Mary's life may be made to St. John's Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Roblin or the Activity Fund at Crocus Court, Roblin Personal Care Home. Condolences may be forwarded to the family by visiting www.baileysfuneralhome.com Vichnaya Pamyat! Memory Eternal! Funeral arrangements were in care of Bailey's Funeral Home. Service Information Monday, April 14th, 2014 7:00pm, St. John's Ukrainian Orthodox Church Details: Service Extra Info Please be aware these are Manitoba times. Tuesday, April 15th, 2014 10:00am, St. John's Ukrainian Orthodox Church Details: Service Extra Info Please be advised that these are Manitoba times. Interment Details Yorkton Memorial Gardens