Olga Switenky (nee Kowalchuk) left this world on Sunday January 26th, 2025, at the age of 95 after a long and hard-fought battle with Alzheimer’s.

She was born May 12, 1929, in Hafford, Saskatchewan. She was the first of three girls to her parents Nick and Tillie Kowalchuk, leading the way for her sisters Mary & Sylvia. She attended school in Alticane, Lindsay, and MacDowall. Some of her fondest memories were made at Canada School, and it no doubt encouraged her post-secondary pursuits. Upon graduating high school, Olga enrolled in the teaching program at the University of Saskatchewan where she achieved her Bachelor of Education.

Olga married Mike Switenky in 1948, and they raised their three children, Earl, Terry and Verna in the MacDowall/Red Deer Hill area. Her parenting wasn’t much unlike her teaching style, dedicated to creating environments of opportunity, learning, connection, responsibility and good fortune. She taught in several rural schools, including National Park in Deer Ridge, Lindsay and Red Deer Hill, in multi grade one room schoolhouses. Later she taught at Wesmor and then served as principal at MacDowall, in the community of her friends and neighbours. Outside of her family and work, she contributed to her community by volunteering on the Women’s Auxiliary Council for 27 years, the Multicultural Council and Red Cross.

Upon retirement, Olga and Mike moved to Prince Albert. Mike was soon after diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, passing in 2009. Olga lived in Saskatoon for several years, residing with some of her grandchildren. She returned to PA when her memory began to fade, and more support was needed. Olga valued time spent visiting with friends and family, dancing, listening to live music, and a good laugh shared over cookies and tea. Music and singing were always important to Olga and remained so until the end of her life. She enjoyed her time living at Good Shepherd Villa and was in fact their longest residing tenant (16 years).

Olga stated throughout all the stages of Alzheimer’s that she wanted to “go home” but was never quite sure where (or when) that was. Now, we are comforted to know she’s there.

Welcoming Olga to her new heavenly home is her children, Earl & Verna; husband, Mike;
her daughter-in-law, Dawne; her parents, Nick & Tillie; those lost in infancy: her brother, Paul; her granddaughter, Angel; her great-grandson, Roman; and her in-laws: Joseph & Muriel, Walter & Myra, Steve & Jenny, John & Shirley, Rose & Mike, Peter, Ed, and Jerry.

Left celebrating the legacy of their wonderful mother, baba and sister are:
her son, Terry; grandchildren, Tara, Adam, Matthew and Amy (Dylan); and great-grandchildren, Preston, Haydyn, Lyla & Tilly; her daughter-in-law, Wendy; grandchildren, Nicole, Evan, Andrea (Barclay) and Heather; and great-grandchildren, Colton, Maddison, Stephen, Spencer, Cori, Ethan, Sydney, Aiden and Liam; her son in-law, Donald Blocka; grandchildren, Christopher (Jennifer), Miranda (Christian), Rochelle (Matthew), Gregory (Marie); and great-grandchildren, Brianna, Nicholas, Sophie, Cadence, Korban, Claire, Everly, Elizabeth & Scarlett; her cherished sisters, Mary Zuk and Sylvia Reid; and sister-in-law, Elsie Alexander.

We would like to extend our thanks for her care to Dr. Gord Surkan and Dr. Alana Surkan, her dedicated visitor Helena, and the team of caring staff at Good Shepherd Villa.

Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 15, 2025, at St. George’s Ukrainian Catholic Church, 770 14th Street West, Prince Albert, SK. Olga will be laid to rest on Saturday May 10, 2025, following a prayer service.

Donations in Olga’s memory would be gratefully accepted at the Alzheimer Society of Saskatchewan office@alzheimer.sk.ca or St. George Ukrainian Catholic Church. 770 14th Street West, Prince Albert, SK, S6V 3M1. Family and friends wishing to send online condolences are welcome to visit http://www.beaulacfuneralhome.com   Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Beau “Lac” Funeral Home and Crematorium, Marianne Turcotte, Funeral Director, Prince Albert, SK 306-763-3322.

“From this valley they say you are leaving, We will miss your bright eyes and sweet smile, For they say you are taking the sunshine, Which has brightened our pathways a while.”
Red River Valley song lyrics

• Date : 2025-01-26
• Location : Prince Albert, SK