Ann Michalchuk (nee Blocka) was born in Rosthern, SK on August 9, 1916 and passed away peacefully at Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon on Thursday, September 11, 2014 at the wonderful age of 98 years. Ann is survived by her son Allen (Michelle) of Kamloops; grandsons Trevor Michalchuk of San Francisco, CA, Aaron (Jessica) Michalchuk of Penticton and Dwight Courteau (and his father Roland) of Prince Albert as well as 3 great-granddaughters Kyra, Frederica and Georgia Michalchuk of San Francisco. Also left to mourn her passing are younger brothers Nicholas Blocka of Saskatoon, Myron (Elsie) Blocka of Brandon and sister Julia (Earnie) Harder of Maple Creek as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Ann was predeceased by her loving husband Steve (1984); her daughter Judy (2012) and grandson Leland Courteau (2009) as well as her parents Dmytro and Parania (nee Postey) Blocka; brothers and sister-in-laws John and Olga Blocka, Steve and Mary Blocka, Michael Blocka, Mary and Mike Sereda and Regena (Nicholas) Blocka. She was also predeceased by all of Steve’s brothers, sisters and their respective spouses. Ann lived and worked on her mom and dad’s farm on the west side of the South Saskatchewan River near Gabriel Ferry in the Milner School District. As a teenager and young woman she enjoyed Ukrainian Dancing, singing and playing the Mandolin. She married Steve in 1946 and moved to his farm 7 miles south and west of Bellevue. She was an extremely hard worker helping dad run a mixed farming operation including all the chickens, turkeys, ducks, cattle and pigs and in the beginning a couple of horses, that went with it. Oh yes, along the way there were a series of cats and dogs and a couple of children. There was never a shortage of good cooking, baking, canning, freezing and pasta making, the latter usually involving her sister, Aunt Mary Sereda, with sheets of dough covering every piece of furniture in the house. No one who came to visit was ever turned away hungry. Oh the smell of young creamed chicken and baby potatoes with fresh onion greens and dill, cooking. Actually, in those days I think everything was creamed. I’m pretty sure the word ‘cholesterol’ had not been formulated yet. How about the fresh bread, doughnuts and, oh yes, the cinnamon buns? Oh, did I mention sauerkraut fermenting in the crockpot in the basement. Oops, forgot fishing for Gold-eye in the river and Sunday trips to the salt pool in Watrous. Mom and Dad moved to Prince Albert in 1972 but continued farming until retirement in 1975. Ann lived on her own in PA from 1984 to 2012 looking after her home and always planting a big garden every spring. After Judy passed away she moved to a wonderful care home in Bellevue where she lived until July 2nd of this year. When it became apparent that she needed more specialized care we moved her to the nursing home in Duck Lake. Mom celebrated her 98th birthday on August 9th. She had boundless love for her family and always had a prayer in her heart for their wellness and safe keeping. Thank-you to all the medical staff of 5300 at RUH, especially nurses Lisa and Krista for their care and compassion during mom’s last 48 hours. A special thanks to Dr. Natasha Bernsten, doing her rotational residency in Internal Medicine, for her total commitment, understanding and support above and beyond the call of duty. Mom, Baba, great Baba, sister, auntie, friend, you will always be missed, remembered and loved. We know you have gone to a far, far better place. Vaya con Dios. Funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 17 from River Park Memorial Chapel. Father Matthew Nguyen will officiate. Interment will take place in the Garden of Sermon on the Mount, Prince Albert Memorial Gardens. It is the family’s request that anyone wishing to place memorials may do so to the Foyer de Bellevue Care Home, Box 27, Bellevue, SK or Royal University Hospital Foundation, Saskatoon, SK. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the care of RIVER PARK MEMORIAL CHAPEL, Donald M. Moriarty, Funeral Director 306-764-2727

• Date : 2014-09-11 06:00:00
• Location : Saskatoon, SK