Evelyn KOWALCHUK

KOWALCHUK, Evelyn - It is with great sadness that the family of Evelyn Kowalchuk announce her peaceful passing in Saskatoon, SK, on April 7, 2024, at the age of 91 years. Evelyn was born in Tiny, SK, on March 11, 1933, to Paul and Stefka (nee Hnatiw) Zarazun. She was educated at Badgerdale school and later attended private boarding school at Sacred Heart Academy in Yorkton, SK. After high school, Evelyn moved to Winnipeg, MB, where she attended Manitoba Teachers' College. She moved back home and worked at various country schools in the community. Evelyn lived in the same community as August Kowalchuk and attended the same church. On July 14, 1953, they were married at St. Mary's Parish in Tiny, SK. Together, they established their own family farming business near Tiny, where they lived and worked until 2006. Evelyn gave up her teaching career to work in the family business and take care of the family they created. Evelyn was a serial entrepreneur trying her hand at many at home businesses throughout the years including, Tupperware, make-up, Regal Ware, roll-on paint wallpaper, 5th Avenue jewelry, house painting and many more. She was a hustler and saved her pennies to buy special things for her children. Evelyn was a good friend, neighbour, and an involved community member. She lived a life of service. She was involved in the church community. She was a member of Tiny, Buchanan, and Canora parishes over the years. She served on the church boards, CWL and participated regularly in mass as a liturgist and choir member. She was instrumental in keeping the St. Mary's Country Church community alive. She insured that money was raised through many initiatives including the annual Tiny Church picnic where the parish and supporters came together to celebrate. Along with the board, Evelyn has maintained this important historical church that our pioneer families built when they came to Canada. Evelyn also served on the Canora and District Homecare Board contributing to ensuring continued care in our local hospital. She even tried her hand at running for local RM council in an effort to have a female voice represented in the community. Famous for her cooking and hospitality, Evelyn was always prepared with many freezers full of food. She grew several gigantic gardens and worked hard to ensure her family had all kinds of preserves and frozen garden bounty throughout the year. Whenever there was an event to attend, Evelyn always brought her delicious and creative creations. If you were to drop in for a visit, you would be treated to whatever amazing baking was in season (donuts were the most popular!) and a hot cup of coffee. If you were lucky enough to come around lunch, you would be dining on canned chicken, fresh bread, horseradish, dill pickles, and a bowl of noodle soup - all homemade. You would also be lucky to have great conversations about world news and deep chats about how you were feeling. If you needed a cry or a laugh, she would be there with you. Evelyn and August retired to Canora in 2006 and continued to host many visitors and card parties regularly. After August's death, Evelyn continued to live in her own house until 2022, when she moved to Saskatoon where she lived in a retirement community. She reconnected with a long-time friend and easily made new friends. She will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her. Evelyn enjoyed children and had a special place in her heart for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She is survived by her children: Cordelia (Raymond) Ciesielski of Young, SK, Clarissa (Larry) Poberznek of Martensville, SK, Corrie (Debbie) Kowalchuk of Saskatoon, SK, Milton (Barb) Kowalchuk of Canora, SK, and Tracey Kowalchuk of Saskatoon, SK; grandchildren: Nathan (Kathy) Ciesielski, Leah (Collin) MacNeill, Joyce (Conrad) Landry, Georgina (Jeff) Martin, Kelly (Lynette) Kowalchuk, Joel Kowalchuk, Jessie (Sarah) Kowalchuk, Amy (Doug) Weber, and Ayden and Ethan Maczek; great-grandchildren: Daxton and Tyson Ciesielski, Caleb, Avery, and Carson MacNeill, Piper and Ryder Landry, Colton and Brielle Kowalchuk, Jordyn Kowalchuk, Harlie, Mikaela, and Wade Kowalchuk, and Everett Weber; her sisters, Edna (Clark) Gabel, Audrey (George) Greig, and Aldine Zarazun; and sister-in-law, Eileen Zarazun; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. Evelyn was predeceased by her husband, August Kowalchuk; parents, Paul and Stefka Zarazun; parents-in-law, Julian and Caroline Kowalchuk; brother, Allan Zarazun; and grandchildren, Jason and Tara Ciesielski and Zane Maczek. A Memorial Mass was celebrated at 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, April 23, 2024, from St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church, Canora, SK, with Rev. Fr. Andrzej Sowa, OMI, as celebrant. Rite of Committal followed in St. Mary's Roman Catholic Parish Cemetery, northwest of Tiny, SK. Those wishing to make expressions of sympathy may make donations to the St. Mary's RC Parish Cemetery Fund or to the Canadian Cancer Society, as tokens of remembrance, in memory of Evelyn Kowalchuk. Family and friends unable to attend are invited to sign an online guestbook at www.lesonsfuneralhome.ca. Arrangements were entrusted to LESON'S FUNERAL HOME, Canora, SK.