MYKYTUK: Peter John: With deep sadness, the family announces the passing of Peter John Mykytuk, formerly of Glaslyn and of the Battlefords on June 1, 2013. Peter was born May 13, 1925 in Edam, SK to parents Katherine (Bohay) and John Mykytuk. Leaving his four children to cherish his memory: son, Barry (Kathy) and family: Kevin (Kelly) and their children Jordan, Keegan and Abbie; Carrie (Clinton) Russett and their children Jared, Alyssa and Bailey; Eric (Stephnie) and Raxanne (Robert Johnston); son, David (Brenda) and family: Melanie and her children Jorgia and Aleksandra and son Braiden; Randy (Rushann); Christopher (Samantha Jack) and Becky; son, Dennis (Fany) and family: Dennis and Fanny; daughter, Christine (Irwin Friesen) and family: son Dallas. Also left to cherish his memory: sister Katherine Pawlyshyn and half-sisters, Mary Chernesky and Nettie Nahirney; Godchild, Irene Sack and numerous nieces and nephews and their families. Peter was predeceased by his loving wife of 55 years, Ethel (Clark) in November, 2006; parents, John and Katherine and numerous family members. Life for Peter growing up on the farm was not the easiest. He lived on the family homestead in the Wolia district for most of his life. The dry years came and depression started. It was hard for his mother and father to make money to feed the large family. Feed for the animals were scarce and had to be hauled in from great distances. He did what he could to help out. He went to the Wolia School which was located in the home quarter, only a half mile from his home. But like most at that time, he had to quit school to help on the farm. There are still spruce trees to mark the yard which he and two other boys carried from 2 miles away. In 1949 his father passed away and at 24 years of age was left to look after his mother and take over the farm. It was a struggle at times but the years passed doing what he could to make ends meet on the farm. In November 1951 he married Ethel Clark. As the years went by and their four children were born and grew up, life became a little easier. In 1971 they built a new home, the third one Peter lived in on the homestead. Around that time he started driving school bus and continued driving for the next 27 years. Although his never drove after that, by June 2004, when he let go of his bus route and retired from the school division, 40 years had passed. Peter and Ethel enjoyed camping and fishing, always going with friends. Flotten, Keeley and Turtle Lake or as close as Helene Lake to name a few of their favorite places they went to. They enjoyed taking the boat out fishing or just sitting around the campsite visiting. He stayed on the farm until their retirement to The Battlefords in the fall of 1993. He enjoyed his new found freedom from the farm after a while and started to learn to relax. His yard became an array of colours from all the flowers that he would plant in the spring. Making wine from a variety of fruits became a hobby and a bottle was quickly uncorked whenever company came. He was always up for a couple of games of Kaiser which seemed only to be played in the winter. He thoroughly enjoyed when his neighbors would stop by for coffee or just a chat on the deck. He was a joker and would be forever pulling out little gadgets and things to show you even if you had seen them a dozen times before. Peter was a longtime member of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, the Elks Lodge and Saskatchewan Wildlife Association. At 88 years of age, and a father of four, grandfather of eight, great-grandfather of eleven and great-great-grandfather of one, his legacy will continue to live on. He will be missed. The Funeral Service was held at 11:00 a.m. on June 8, 2013 at the "Garden Chapel" ~ Battlefords Funeral Service, North Battleford, SK with Rev. Fr. Taras Udod and Fr. Chad Pawlyshyn (great-nephew) officiating. Prayer of Absolution Service was held at 1:15 p.m. in the St. Peter & St. Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Glaslyn, SK. Interment took place at the Wolia Cemetery, Glaslyn, SK. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made in Peter's name to a charity of the donor's choice. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Battlefords Funeral Service (446-4200) Card of Thanks The family would like to take this opportunity to thank Lynn, Joanne and all the nurses and staff of the Lakeland Lodge, St. Walburg, for their kindness, love and support in Dad's final months. We will be forever grateful. Also, thank you to Robert MacKay and his staff for their understanding and compassion at our time of grief. ____________________________________________________
