HRABIA: In Loving Memory of Helen Hrabia who was born May 1, 1919 at Krydor, SK and passed away September 24, 2011 at Saskatoon, SK. Helen leaves to cherish her memory; her daughter, Stella (Yaris) Nikiforuk; her grandchildren: Donna Nikiforuk (Carmen Proznick), Debbie (Jim) Couperthwaite and Michael Nikiforuk (Kristina Weir); her great-grandsons, Nathan & Sheldon (Jill Zurevinski) and their father, Clark Rafuse. Helen also leaves behind her sister, Jennie Pospick. She was predeceased by her husband, Mike; her parents, Paul and Anastasia (Charko) Sagansky; her sisters, Irene, Stella, Katie & her brother Harry. The Funeral Service was held Thursday, September 29, 2011 at 2:00 pm. at St. Paul's Anglican Church, North Battleford, SK with Rev. Peter Norman and Rev. Fr. Taras Udod officiating. Shared Memories were given by Donna, Debbie and Michael. Gift of Music was Organist, Mrs. M. Junice Headley; Soloist, Robert MacKay ~ "Whispering Hope" and Hymn Selections were "The Old Rugged Cross", "How Great Thou Art" and "Vichnaya Pamiat". The Honourary Pallbearers were Her Family and Friends ~ "All Who Shared Her Life" and Active Pallbearers were Michael Nikiforuk, Dale Pluta, Nathan Rafuse, Jim Couperthwaite, Sheldon Rafuse and Alvin Hrabia. Interment took place at City Cemetery, North Battleford, SK. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Battlefords Funeral Service. 446-4200 Shared Memories Helen was born May 1, 1919 in Krydor, SK to parents Paul and Anastasia (Charko) Saganksy. Helen's life was filled with both happiness and hardship. At the young age of 5, Helen witnessed the death of her father while moving their belongings to a new homestead. At the age of 13 she was badly burnt while helping her mother fill a kerosene lamp; 75% of her body was burnt. It was a long and painful road to recovery. She was fed onion sandwiches as no anti-biotics were available at the time. On January 21, 1936, at the age of 16 she married Mike Hrabia. Their daughter, Stella, was born on October 10, 1936. They farmed at Hatherleigh for 38 years. Helen worked hard on the farm - driving truck, picking roots and baling hay. During the long winter months, the evenings were often devoted to the 3 of them singing and playing the accordion, mandolin and the fiddle. In 1976 Helen and Mike retired to North Battleford. They enjoyed socializing with their friends and playing Kaiser. They were fortunate enough to be able to travel to Europe, Hawaii, Nevada and parts of Canada. She remained in their home, enjoying her independence, until moving to Ruth Whyte Manor in February, 2009. She spent many enjoyable hours cross-stitching, quilting, reading and doing puzzles. Every morning at 10:00 was dedicated to watching The Price Is Right and at 5:00 to Wheel Of Fortune. She was an excellent seamstress spending hours making doll clothes for Donna and Debbie's Barbies. Her biggest pleasure was patching the never-ending supply of jeans and darning socks. Baba was never a selfish person, always putting everyone's needs before her own, even at the end she was worried about keeping the ambulance drivers, nurses and the doctors up late. I can still hear her saying "Don't worry, I'll be okay" - At this time my sisters will share a few fond memories - Donna and I loved going to Baba and Gidy's farm; it was a great adventure. Baba always had a good supply of catalogues so we could spend hours playing with our paper doll cut-outs. Her closet was always filled with old clothes which helped us to become the grown up ladies we thought we were. Out in the pasture when the manure was ripe, there were plenty of mushrooms for us to pick. The chickens were also a source of fascination for us. How we loved to watch Baba when it came to butchering time. The fridge was a wonderful place to raid; there always was a chocolate bar or two waiting for us. Jim and I were the ones fortunate enough to take possession of her big red truck or "the tank" as I like to call it. It was Baba's pride and joy; and often could barely see her head above the steering wheel - driving down the street off on some special mission. This is my special time to thank Baba for being a loving Great Baba to her two great-grandsons, Nathan and Sheldon. How she loved them, walking from her home on 110th Street all the way to Scott Drive to spend time playing with them. Just the other evening we were sharing our memories of Baba, Sheldon told me that whenever he and Nathan were sick, Baba would give them a chocolate bar, and say "but don't tell your Mom"(after I distinctly asked her not to)!! Nathan and Sheldon both remember her passion for playing Kaiser. For some reason Sheldon seemed to always be her partner, while poor Nathan would get stuck with me or another family member. We were convinced there was some kind of "monkey business" going on as Sheldon and Baba would always win! Carmen and I had a monthly ritual, we would pick up Baba and take her to the A & W for a hamburger / or a sundae from the Dairy Queen. How she looked forward to those outings. During her final hours she spoke of being with her beloved husband Mike. Rest in peace Baba, you will always remain in our hearts. Card of Thanks Thank you to Rev. Norman, Father Taras and Battlefords Funeral Service for their service and words of comfort and compassion. To Robert MacKay, a big thank you for everything you have done - Helen had a special place in her heart for you. Thanks to the pallbearers, honourary pallbearers, the organist, Sally and the Orthodox choir for your services along with a big thank you to St. Andrew's Women's Auxiliary for providing a lovely lunch. A special thank you to relatives, friends, and neighbours for their visits, for their words of comfort and for all the food delivered to the house. Also, thank you to Battlefords Union Hospital ICU for their compassionate care, the WPD Ambulance and the Royal University Hospital for services provided. Thank you very much and God Bless you all!!! Donations in memory of Helen Hrabia may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, Battlefords Union Hospital Foundation or the The Battlefords Humane Society. The family of Helen Hrabia ____________________________________________________
