Obituary of Winnifred Kopelchuk
The family of Winnifred Kopelchuk of Canora, widow of Leonard Kopelchuk sadly announce her passing on Wednesday, March 6, 2024. Winnifred was 81 years of age.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Monday, March 11 at 11:00a.m. from the Yorkton Memorial Gardens Family Centre with Crystal Bailey, Certified Celebrant officiating.
Interment will take place in the Yorkton City Cemetery.
Memorials in memory of Winnifred may be made to the Allan Blair Cancer Clinic (C/O 200-4545 Parliament Ave. Regina, SK S4W 0G3) as gifts of remembrance.
Winnifred was born on August 11, 1942, to Fred Swan and Rhea Andrusiek. She grew up south of Preeceville and attended Norway School until grade eight and then high school in Sturgis. She moved to Regina and worked as a clerk for a few years before she was hired as a telephone operator with SaskTel.
In 1963 Winnifred met Leonard Kopelchuk when they were paired in a wedding party. They were married on August 7, 1965, and lived in Canora raising their three daughters, Carla, Tracy, and Janine. Winnifred took a break from SaskTel to raise her children then returned to work with SaskTel in Yorkton until her retirement in 2002.
Winnifred enjoyed gardening, had numerous flowerpots, and took pride in her yard. She grew an amazing garden and preserved fruits and vegetables. She also enjoyed making cabbage rolls, perogies, beetniks, pies, cinnamon buns, and donuts. She loved to feed others and if you stopped by for a visit you would always leave with a full stomach. She enjoyed camping, fishing, playing cards and getting together with family and friends. She loved to travel and had been to many places including Hawaii and Mexico.
Following her retirement, she enjoyed her new job as grandma. She loved her grandchildren and looked forward to spending time with each of them whether it was reading stories, giving them hugs, or making their favorite food. She attended many of her grandchildren’s activities and was proud of their accomplishments.
Winnifred is predeceased by her husband Leonard Kopelchuk; parents Fred Swan and Rhea Andrusiek; father-in-law Peter Kopelchuk; mother-in-law Antonia Kopelchuk; brother Marlin Swan; sister-in-laws Alice Swan and Sherry Kopelchuk; brother-in-laws Jim Onofrychuk and Edward Olzewski; nephew Delbert Swan and niece Judy Swan.
She is survived by her three daughters Carla (Mike) Moretta, Tracy (Roman) Gulka, and Janine (Darcy) Kotzer; four grandchildren Mackenzie, Jacob, Sydney, and Nathan; sisters Beryl Onofrychuk and Sharon Olzewski; brothers Lionel Swan, Wayne (Elsie) Swan, and Reg Swan; sister-in-law Audrey (Ron) Hoehn and brother-in-law Allan (Sandy) Kopelchuk; Darcy’s daughters Nicole (Chance) Helmsing and Kristen (Ben) Reves and several nieces, nephews, cousins, and many friends.
She will be remembered for her loving warm nature, generosity, kindness, amazing cooking, and unconditional love.
