Nick Yakowec

YAKOWEC, Nick – was born December 8, 1926 at the family farm near Tarnopole, Saskatchewan, a son of Anne (nee Zosiak) and Joseph Yakowec. Nick attended Hazel Lake School where he obtained his grade nine education. After school Nick worked at various jobs such as stooking and threshing. Nick and his Dad bought a threshing machine so they could do custom work.

The family moved to the Waterhen district where Nick bought 80 acres of farmland and built his first home, a two-room house nestled in the trees. He planted more spruce trees to have some green and to provide a wind break for the long winters. On November 7, 1953 he married a sweet little lady from Carmel, SK, Ann Krysa. Their marriage produced six children who were an immense help on the family farm. They outgrew the little two-room house and moved to the Crystal Springs area. The family moved to Nick's parents' log home when his parents retired and moved to Prince Albert. Then in 1966 they purchased the house where Nick spent the remainder of his years.

Nick liked animals and had tried his hand at raising sheep, chickens, geese, pigs and cows. The last big farm operation was the dairy operation where they milked around 30 cows. They sold that operation in 1980 and just grain farmed and raised pigs after that. The farm slowly decreased in size until there was only his pets, his favourite cats and dogs that he loved.

Nick was a man with a great sense of humour and he was extremely musically talented. He could play almost any instrument by ear. At one point he had a family band going and we all played a different instrument. Nick loved baseball, he played in school and then he taught all his kids to play. We would have family baseball games on Sunday afternoons, with neighbouring kids and other friends. Dad loved pitching and not many people could hit off him!

Nick was very mechanical, innovative and creative, he could repair almost anything! He was generous with his time and talents and did numerous repairs for neighbors and friends. Nick's other interest was antiques, you could tell by the accumulation in his yard. He never threw anything away, he always said, “you never know when you are going to need that.” Dad lived the life he wanted . . . his intention was to only leave the farm in one way!

Nick was predeceased by his parents Joseph and Anne Yakowec and his infant brother Michael. Nick will be fondly remembered and missed by his wife Ann Yakowec, his children: Joseph Yakowec of Carmel; Darlene and John Jabs of Lockwood, Sk. And children Mark, Adam, Lynn and Nova, Loretta; Paul and Penny Yakowec of Wadena and his children Jonathon, Crystal (Destiny great granddaughter), Linda, Ben, Kathy; Eileen and James Schur of Lanigan and daughter Alexis, Caroline and Murray Krenn of Kelowna B.C., and daughters Nicole and Ashley, Ralph and Joanne Yakowec of Birch Hills and children Ashley and Anthony (Deziree, Thomas and Jake) Krystle and Tyler. He is also survived by one sister Mary Kolendreski and her children Leon, Dianne and Danny and their families and one nephew Mervin Pakulak.

An informal Celebration of Life was held on Friday, August 26, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. from Kinistino Half Century Club with an open mic and everyone shared their memories of Nick while enjoying fellowship and refreshments. Memorial Donations may be made in Nick's memory to Humboldt SPCA Box 3942 Humboldt, SK S0K 2A0.

Funeral arrangements were entrusted to MALINOSKI & DANYLUIK FUNERAL HOME , Humboldt, 682-1622.