Natalie (Nettie) White joined our Heavenly Father on Ash Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at the age of 78 years. Nettie is lovingly remembered by her husband of 57 years, Ken; her five children Don (Judy) of Calgary, AB, Dale of Sherwood Park, AB, Denise (Alan) of Borden, SK, Damon (Alison) of Calgary, AB, Denette Sumners of Wetaskiwin, AB; thirteen grandchildren Heidi (Dean) Phipps, Ashley (Derek) Hirsch, Maxwell Fritsch, Stefanason (Larissa) Fritsch, Milo White, Jacob White, Alexandra, Paige, Jonas and Courtney Sumners, Gabriele White, Grayson and Livia White as well as two great-grandchildren Sawyer and Emery Hirsch. Also left to mourn Nettie, are her three sisters Lucy Popik, Kay Sereda and Patricia (Bud) Semchuk, three brothers Russell, Alexander (Cecile) and Dennis (Jenette) Halyk, and many nieces and nephews. Nettie was born in West Bend, SK, but was raised in Foam Lake where she met Ken. After marriage, the couple moved to Yorkton, where Nettie was employed as a teacher with the Catholic School System. The last 20 years of her career she spent as the Co-ordinator of Christian Education. It was in this role that Nettie met and impacted the most students, which is why she was quickly dubbed "Mrs. God". Nettie was a member of the CWL for 42 years and served on the parish council at St. Gerard's Church in Yorkton for 4 terms. She was a Catechist for RCIA in Yorkton and was a RCIA Sponsor at Holy Family Parish in Saskatoon. She was on the Executive of the Superannuated Teachers for 9 years and until recently acted as a Communion Minister to shut-ins. Reading was a passion of Nettie's, which kept her mind and spirit strong even when her body began to fail her. She was a baker extraordinaire and the grandchildren will forever remember "Baba's Buns". Nettie loved to travel and explore new cultures and enjoyed many trips with family and friends. Most important to Nettie was The Lord and her family. Proof of this was demonstrated every minute of every day of her life here on earth. Meeting her in heaven are Theo and Julia Halyk, Arthur and Mary White, her brothers-in-law John Popik, John Sereda and Larry Chomiak and one sister-in-law Helen Hargest as well as a brother Russell who died in infancy. A Prayer Vigil was held on Tuesday, February 28 at 7:00 p.m. and the Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Wednesday, February 29 at 10:00 a.m. Both took place at the Cathedral of the Holy Family. In lieu of flowers, Nettie has requested donations to be made to the Canadian Cancer Society (101 - 440 2nd Avenue North, Saskatoon, SK. S7K 2C3) or the Cathedral of the Holy Family Building Fund (123 Nelson Road, Saskatoon, SK. S7S 1H1 in memory of Nettie White). Family and friends may send online condolences from the website www.hillcrestmemorial.ca Arrangements entrusted to Charmaine Legrand. Hillcrest Funeral Home, Saskatoon. 306-477-4400.
