Obituary of Brenda Niefer

NIEFER - Brenda Niefer beloved wife of Glen and mother of Brett Niefer of Yorkton. It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Brenda Marie Niefer (Nee Zenkawich). Brenda passed away peacefully with her family by her side on Thursday July 28, 2011. Brenda was born on April 30, 1971, at the Yorkton Union Hospital to parents Peter Zenkawich and Carol Derow. In her earlier years, she attended school in Ituna, Yorkton and Springside and graduated from the Yorkton Regional High School in 1989. Following her graduation from high school, Brenda started her working career at Melrose Place, The Bay, and then started her banking career in December of 1989 until present. Always an achiever, Brenda enjoyed great success at CIBC, starting as a teller in 1989 and working her way up through various roles to her present position of District Branch Manager. Brenda took great pride in everything she did, and besides being a wonderful partner to her husband Glen and a mother to Brett, she cherished her CIBC family. United in marriage to Glen Niefer on August 26, 1995 with the presence of their son Brett; Brenda excelled as a wife and mother. Nothing was more important to her than these two men in her life. The three of them spent countless hours together as a family enjoying camping, quadding, fishing, golfing, and travelling. Brenda was also an avid hockey mom, attending every one of Brett's games. Brenda also loved spending time in her backyard, planning her flower garden which can be seen in every carefully planned detail. Regardless of challenges in front of her, Brenda was always positive and optimistic about the future. She successfully accepted each challenge, big or small, with a positive point of view. This approach as well as her dedication led Brenda to numerous awards and recognition throughout her career at CIBC. Brenda was predeceased by her parents Peter Zenkawich and Carol Derow, Maternal grandparents Metro and Eunice Boyarski, and Paternal grandparents Harry Zenkawich and Vera Weisgerber. Left to celebrate her life are her husband Glen, son Brett, brothers Richard (Brenda) Zenkawich from Pilot Butte, Sask, Terry (Cari) Zenkawich from Laurel Hill, North Carolina, and Jason Zenkawich from Vancouver, BC, and one sister Chris (Murray) Harris from Yorkton, Sask; mother and father in-law Mervin and Marjorie Niefer from Saltcoats, Sask; brothers in-law Gary (Suzanne) Niefer from Maple Ridge, BC, and Grant (Danette) Niefer from Swift Current, Sask, sister in-law Glenda (Milton) Wolitski from Regina, Sask; nieces and nephews Shawn Zenkawich, Jayde Niefer, Levi Niefer, Courtney Wolitski, Zachary Wolitski and Brandon Niefer. Also left to celebrate her life is Randy Derow of Theodore, Sask. Prayer Services were held on Tuesday, August 2nd, 2011 from the Yorkton Memorial Gardens Family Centre. Requiem Divine Liturgy was celebrated on Wednesday, August 3rd, 2011 from St. Mary's Ukrainian Catholic Church in Yorkton with Rev. Father Ray Lukie, C.Ss.R. as the Celebrant. Responses were sung by Ed Pindus, Colette Karapita and members of St. Mary's Choir. The Cross Bearer was Shawn Zenkawich. Suzanne Niefer read the epistle. Honourary bearers were everyone who shared in Brenda's special life. Casket bearers were friends, Brad Neal, Shawn Neal, Bill Hryniuk and Rodney Wlock with colleagues, Ray McLeod and Don Burns. Interment followed in the family plot in the Garden of Devotion at Yorkton Memorial Gardens. A reception and program followed at St. Mary's Cultural Centre with Ray McLeod, Don Burns, Candace Tendler, Gayle Hryniuk, Laurie Neal, Gary Niefer and Brett Niefer sharing tributes and words of remembrance. Condolences can be forwarded to the family at www.baileysfuneralhome.com . Memorials in memory of Brenda can be made towards the Neuroscience Research Centre at the University of Saskatchewan 701 Queen St. Saskatoon, SK S7K 0M7 as gifts of remembrance. Arrangements were entrusted to Bailey's Funeral Home. Service Information Wednesday, August 3rd, 2011 10:00am, St. Mary's Ukrainian Catholic Church Interment Details Yorkton Memorial Gardens