Obituary of Joyce Anaka
ANAKA – Joyce Anaka of Yorkton, beloved wife of the Late Bill Anaka passed away on February 3, 2024 at Yorkton Regional Health Centre. She was 13 days short of her 98th birthday.
Joyce was born at Good Spirit on February 16, 1926 to John and Margaret (nee Walker) Gunn. She was raised and attended School in the Good Spirit area. She furthered her education at High School in Yorkton. As a young lady, Joyce served in the CWAC (Canadian Woman Army Core) in WW11 where she attained her rank as Sergeant. She was posted doing office duties in Toronto.
She returned back home to the Good Spirit area and married Bill Anaka. She was employed and resided at Good Spirit.
Joyce is survived by a few close friends and extended relatives.
At Joyce’s request there will be no funeral service. In lieu of flowers or sympathy cards just toast a life well lived and rejoice in her "freedom".
Condolences can be sent to the family at www.baileysfuneralhome.com
Joyce Anaka of Yorkton and formerly of Good Spirit Lake widow of the late Bill Anaka passed away February 3rd, 2024 at the Yorkton Regional Health Centre at the age of 97, just short of her 98th birthday. She was born February 16th, 1926 at Good Spirit Lake. She was predeceased by her husband Bill, parents John and Margaret (Walker) Gunn and grandfather Donald Gunn. She will be remembered by her sisters in law Donna Kotyk and Iris Grimm and their families, cousins and many friends. Joyce attended Black Poplar School in the Good Spirit district and her high school at the Yorkton Collegiate Institute. After finishing high school she enlisted in the Canadian Women's Army Corps. She served in many locations across Canada until her discharge in 1946. She returned home to Good Spirit Lake where she helped her parents and grandfather operate Gunn's Beach and cabin rentals until the Provincial Park expanded. They kept the yard-site where they continued to live. Joyce was able to obtain a secretarial course through Veterans Affairs and obtained a position with the Provincial Park. It was there that she met Bill and they were married. They loved to travel and camp throughout Canada, USA and New Zealand especially after retiring. Joyce and Bill were avid naturalists. They established an extensive 200 house bluebird route and kept detailed records.They took part in many Christmas Bird counts and bird surveys. They were long time members of Yorkton Natural History Society and Nature Saskatchewan. They were very knowledgeable in identifying plants and birds. Joyce had a real passion in researching history. She traced the Gunn Clan right back to their origins in the Orkney Islands in Scotland which she recorded in her book "Donald Gunn Family History ". She authored many books including "Good Spirit Lake -A Century of Changes". Another project Joyce and Bill completed was the listing and describing all the rural cemeteries in the RM of Good Lake. This information can be found on the RM's website. When Bill developed health problems they purchased a condo in Yorkton. They then spent summers at the lake and winters at the condo. After the Park took over their residence they lived full time at the condo which they really enjoyed. After Bill's passing, Joyce often commented how lucky she was to have such caring good neighbors. Joyce certainly lived a long full life. In accordance with her wishes there will be no funeral. Remember her when you see a bird flying by or a flower blooming.
