Stefan (Steve) Albert Horacki was born July 4th, 1928 in Djulaves, Croatia. Due to the Second World War and the Civil War in Croatia, Steve was forced to leave his hometown at the age of 15. In 1944 at the age of 16, he was drafted into the German Army-Cadets. In 1945 he surrendered to the American Forces and was held for two months as a POW. From 1945-1947 Steven worked on various farms in Austria. In 1947 he went to Germany to unite with his parents and sisters in Hannover, at a displaced people camp. There in the camp he found employment with the Canadian Christian Council for Resettlement of Refugees. One of the Directors, Reverend Father Noah Warnke, OMI, a Catholic priest invited Steve to immigrate to Canada under the sponsorship of the Oblate Fathers in Battleford. After one year of working with the Oblates, he joined the Oblate Congregation as a Religious Brother. After 19 years as a religious Brother, Steve applied for a dispensation. In 1972 he married Veronica Dobmeier. They were blessed with three children: Joseph, Andrew and Denise.  Steve was employed with the Marian Press, Ltd. Battleford for over 45 years until his retirement. While residing in Battleford, Steve was involved in many community volunteer services: Firefighter, St. Vital Parish Trustee, School Board Trustee, Knights of Columbus (Third Degree, Grand Knight and District Deputy, and member of the Fourth Degree Dr. Uhrich Assembly), Battleford North West Historical Society, Fred Light Museum, Canadian Cancer Society and The Canadian Diabetes Association. Stefan was predeceased by his parents Anton and Theresia Horacki, two brothers, George and Anton, five sisters, Elizabeth, Veronika, Maria, Ana, and Ivka. Left to cherish Stefan’s memory is his loving wife of 44 years Veronica, two sons, Joe (fiancé Rebecca) and Andrew, and daughter Denise (Jody) Hauta, his two grandchildren, Nicolas and Cassidy Hauta; his sister Katharina Putnik; godchildren Maria Schmid and Julie Primavera and numerous nieces and nephews in Croatia, Germany and Canada. Funeral Mass Of Resurrection was held on Saturday, July 9, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. from St. Vital Roman Catholic Church, Battleford, SK with Celebrant Fr. Greg Elder. Arrangements were entrusted to Battlefords Funeral Service.
