Obituary of George Stenka

A memorial card from the funeral service can be printed under the "Memories" tab, then click "Memorial Program". STENKA - Mr. George Stenka of Yorkton, beloved husband of Vicky Stenka entered eternal rest on March 4, 2013 at Yorkton Regional Health Centre at the age of 84 years. Born March 21st, 1928, George was the fourth of eight children of John and Axenia (nee Haniak) Stinka, of the Drobot District. George attended Dobronowitz school. He had many interests, but his main passion was music. A self taught musician, George learned to play the violin, banjo, mandolin, guitar, dulcimer and accordion. In June of 1945 George's parents moved to Bredenbury, SK where they purchased farm land, George moved to Yorkton, SK and worked for Massey Harris Company. He met the love of his life, Vicky Rogoza, in 1953 and were married in November of that same year. In the fall of 1957, George and Vicky moved to Calgary, AB, where George found employment at Western Gypsum. George enjoyed his job very much and his employer loved the hard work and dedication he devoted to them. In 1962, when George's parents retired from the farm, George and Vicky decided to start a new life in Bredenbury, SK to farm with his brother Bill. Through the years they were blessed with four beautiful children, Jo-Anne, Ken, Myron, and Corinne. While in Bredenbury, George was very active on the committees of the Bredenbury Northern Telephone Company and The Saskatchewan Wheat Pool. For 12 years, he was on the Bredenbury School Board, 10 years of which he was Chairman. George also loved curling. He participated in the curling club in Bredenbury and played in many bonspiels. In 1978 George and Bill decided to retire from farming. At that time George and his family moved to Yorkton where he began working for John Deere and then later at Mike's Lock & Glass Service. George shared his love of music and played in various bands for over 60 years. For almost 40 of those years, he and his very dear friend, Rodney Flunder, founded the band "The Parkland Drifters". They shared many good times together and we especially loved listening and laughing to many stories they told along their journeys. While living in Yorkton, George and Vicky were active members of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church until the time that George's health began to fail. There was no greater joy George had than the love of family and friends. George especially loved his grandchildren with his whole heart and soul, and was always so very proud of all of them. His Grandchildren felt the same way about their Dido that his Grandsons', Ezra and Cyrus both played songs at the hospital for their Dido, Cyrus played the violin and Ezra played his practice chanter (bagpipes). He loved having company both at home and at the hospital, even right up until the time of his passing. He always looked forward to meeting "The Gang" for coffee at the mall to share conversation and laughter with amazing friends. George was predeceased by his parents, John and Axenia Stinka, his sister Mary Chobotar, and brother Bill Stenko, brothers-in-law, Peter Chobotar, George Bilan, and Jim Matich, neice Agnes Chobatar, nephews Michael Hamelin, and Kevin Stinka. George leaves to mourn the passing of his life and treasure the memories, his wife and soulmate, Vicky of 59 years, daughter Jo-Anne Fritter and husband (Michael), and her children Morgan and Joshua Korfman, all of Pilot Butte, son Ken Stenka of Calgary, AB, son Myron Stenka and wife (Nancy Felstrom), and their children Ezra and Cyrus of Regina, SK, and daughter Corinne Smith and husband (Calvin), and their children Brandon and Mason of St. Albert, AB. He also leaves to mourn his sisters Kay Bilan and Vicky Matich, both of Calgary, AB, Sophie Schultz (Gordon) of Penticton, BC, Aggie (John) Berek of Saskatoon, SK, Michael (Bernice) Stinka of Beeton, ON., sister-in-law Irene Stenko of Regina, SK, and many nieces, and nephews. Prayers were held on Sunday, March 10, 2013 and the Funeral Service on Monday, March 11, 2013 at Holy Transfiguration Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Yorkton with Very Rev. Father Mel Slashinsky officiating. The cantor, William Kozey assisted by members of Holy Transfiguration Church choir led in the singing of responses. The crossbearer was Rodney Flunder and the banner bearers were Ron Rogoza and Richard Bilan. Everyone who shared in George's Life were considered honorary bearers. The interment took place in the Family plot in the Garden of Crucifixion at Yorkton Memorial Gardens with Ken Stenka, Graham Watt, Calvin Smith, Josh Korfman, Michael Fritter and Tim Matich serving as the casket bearers. Memorials honouring George's life may be made to Yorkton Helipad for Stars Air Ambulance. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.baileysfuneralhome.com Vichnaya Pamyat! Memory Eternal! Funeral arrangements were in care of Bailey's Funeral Home. Service Information Sunday, March 10th, 2013 7:00pm Monday, March 11th, 2013 10:00am Interment Details Yorkton Memorial Gardens