Pearl Irene Screpnek, beloved widow of Ernie Screpnek of the Yorkton district, passed away in the St. Paul Lutheran Home in Melville, SK on Monday, December 12, 2016 at the age of 80. Pearl was born on September 2, 1936 at a farm near Midale. She was the third and youngest of three sisters born to Martin and Signe (nee Nystrom) Lindbom. Martin passed in 1939 and the family moved to the house on the hill in Midale which today is the pioneer home for the Souris Valley Antique Association. Pearl graduated from grade 12 in Midale and then attended nurses' training at the Regina General Hospital. She completed her nursing degree at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, AB in 1959. After completing her education, Pearl began working for the Victorian Order of Nurses in Thunder Bay, ON. She then took an extensive trip to Europe and Scandinavia visiting many relatives in Sweden. She returned to Saskatchewan and worked for Public Health making many road trips to small communities to conduct baby clinics and give vaccinations. While working in Melville she met her husband-to-be, Ernie. They were married in Midale on October 10, 1964. They travelled to Niagara Falls and the Maritimes over the next several years. Pearl and Ernie began hobby farming in 1965 while they both continued to work their day jobs. They had two sons, Paul in 1967 and Kirk in 1969. Pearl took some time away from her nursing career to raise the family, but would take night nursing shifts while Ernie was home to watch the boys. Pearl returned to work on a part-time basis with Yorkton home care in the late 1970's. As her family grew she began working full-time, retiring in 2001. She returned to Scandinavia with her sister, Blanche, in 2005 visiting relatives and a nephew that lives in Finland. In 2015 with failing health due to Alzheimers, Pearl entered St. Paul Lutheran Home in Melville. She was a resident on the Bethany Way wing of the nursing home for her last 21 months. Pearl was a devout Christian and attended church regularly. She spent many years teaching junior church and was an executive member of the Yorkton Christian Women's Club. She always seemed to be taking food to the church for various events. She hosted and attended many prayer coffee and calebs (senior church group) meetings. Pearl loved her sweets and insisted you eat when visiting. The coffee, pie and dainties were always out. Pearl was always known to have a baby in her arms; she loved them dearly. When her grandchildren arrived she loved them, and spent many days enjoying their company as much as they loved being with her. She enjoyed music and attending concerts as well as tending her garden and flowers. Pearl had a soft spot for animals with numerous pet cats and dogs over the years and watching over the many wild animals surrounding the farm yard. Pearl was predeceased by her father, Martin in 1939; her mother, Signe in 1997; her husband, Ernie in 2009 and sister, Evelyn in 2012. She is survived by two sons, Kirk of Yorkton, SK and Paul (Sheri) of Melville, SK; three grandchildren, Colton, Geena and Karlee; one sister, Blanche James of Kamloops, BC as well as many cousins, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. Funeral Services were held on Saturday, December 17, 2016 from Heritage Baptist Church in Yorkton, SK with Pastor Brian Kirsch officiating. Pearl's son, Paul Screpnek, shared words of tribute and eulogy in his Mother's memory. The pianist, Tamantha Kirsch, led the congregation in the singing of the hymns, "How Great Thou Art", "Silent Night" and soloist, Betty Fritzke sang, "Amazing Grace". The Interment followed in the Yorkton Memorial Gardens, Garden of St. Luke with Mitchell Wlock, Fred Phillips, Martin Phillips, Brent Jones, Lloyd Liebrecht and Colton Screpnek serving as casket bearers. Friends so wishing may forward their condolences to the family by visiting . Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Christie's Funeral Home & Crematorium, Yorkton, Saskatchewan.
