Eileen Lettvenuk

     Mrs. Eileen Lettvenuk (nee Petras) wife of the Late John Lettvenuk of the Preeceville Long Term Care Centre, formerly of Sturgis and Winnipeg passed away on October 15, 2018. She was eighty three years of age.

     Eileen was born to Nick and Polly (nee Mastrachuk) Petras on May 19, 1935 in Lady Lake, SK.  Most of her years growing up was on the farm with her brothers Bill, Irvin and Adrian.  Sister Linda would join the family in Eileen’s late teens.  She attended Brookview School but left dreams of going to nursing school to help on the farm, finishing 8th grade in 1950.

     While being a bridesmaid at the age of 17, Eileen met her future husband John (who was the best man in the wedding party).  The couple married in October 18th, 1953 and lived at John’s family farm near Burgis Beach, SK.  Within a year, the young couple moved to Winnipeg where the couple settled down in the Fort Garry area.

     Eileen started her first carrier in nursing in the mid-1950s.  She worked in nursing homes on and off through the early 1970s.  While she found the work rewarding, it took a toll on her physical well-being and would eventually give up nursing for other pursuits.

     In 1960, Eileen gave birth to the first of their two children.  Lori was born on April 19th.  Jeffrey would arrive a few years later, on January 4th, 1963.  There was a sense of relief as they struggled for 7 years before they were able to have children.

     In 1965, the young family moved to Souris, MB where John had a small refrigeration business.  The time in Souris was short but memorable.  Two years later, the family returned to Winnipeg, where Eileen would remain until 2010.

     In 1968, Eileen and family purchased their home in Fort Richmond (Winnipeg).  This was the place where she would develop her large garden, watch her kids go to school and really set down roots.  Eileen had returned to nursing at that time but would also do housekeeping work to help make ends meet.   Eventually she spent 22 years with Quintex Cleaners before she would retire in 2000.  Lori would leave home in 1983 when she married Tom Harland.  Jeff would leave in 1989 when he moved to The Pas (subsequently marrying in 1991).

     Eileen’s children didn’t let her down and soon she would become a grandmother.  Lori and Tom gave birth to Brady in 1985 and Samantha in 1987. Jeff and (then) wife Shelley would give birth to Chase in 1991.  The grandkids were a great source of pride for Eileen.  But she never did get to see any great-grandchildren.

     Eileen was an avid gardener.  Her large backyard plot was her pride and joy.  She also had extensive flower beds around the house.  In general, their yard was always impeccably kept.  Even snow removal was a priority for Eileen who kept the sidewalk clear will into her 70s.

     Sewing was another love of Eileen’s.  She was always sitting behind the sewing machine or knitting/crocheting sweaters.  The dress Eileen will be buried in was sewn by her.  She would constantly be making or repairing something.  A very admirable skill indeed… and she was quite good at it.

     Funeral Services were held on Monday, October 22, 2018 from the Chapel of Preeceville Funeral Home with Rev. Miles Russell of Trinity United Church officiating. The organist, Debbie Blender with members of the Trinity United Church Choir led the congregation in the singing of the hymns ‘In The Garden’, ‘What A Friend We Have In Jesus’ and ‘Old Rugged Cross’. Interment followed in the Greenleaf Cemetery with Bill Petras, Irvin Petras, Adrian Petras, Jeff Lettvenuk, Tom Harland and Brady Harland serving as the casketbearers.

    Arrangements were entrusted to Preeceville Funeral Home.