Mike Rusnak

Mike Rusnak, beloved husband of Vicky Rusnak of Preeceville, formerly of the Endeavour district Mike passed away on June 4, 2018 at the Preeceville and District Health Centre. He was ninety years of age.

Mike Alex Rusnak was born March 12, 1928 at Stockholm, Saskatchewan. Mike was the second youngest of 8 children born to his parents Mike and Elizabeth (nee Truhak) Rusnak.  Mike’s siblings were Helen Mary, Lizzie, Margaret, Georgina, Irene and Joseph.

When Mike was only about 2, his family moved to the Rockford district. This was at the beginning of the Great Depression. After a time, his family got a homestead in the Rockford district. Mike grew up on the farm. He attended the Stoney Acres School, which was only a half mile from his farm home. After his school years he helped on the family farm.

Mike met Vicky Tataryn at a dance in Usherville, Saskatchewan. Mike and Vicky were marred on October 15, 1952 at Preeceville United Church. When they were first married they lived on Mike’s parents’ farm. Mike and Vicky saw the birth of one child in their marriage, a son, Dean Merlin who died only a week after his birth. Vicky and Mike did not have other children, but their nephews and nieces became their children and held a special place in their hearts and lives.

Mike began trucking in the mid-fifties. The couple moved to Regina, Saskatchewan and lived there for about three years. Mike continued to do trucking as well as working at pouring cement for different projects.  In 1958 they moved back to the farm in the Rockford area. Mike also found work in the Endeavour Garage. Later he would also work at the Auction Mart in Sturgis, with Leo Prekaski.

In 1961, after Vicky’s mom died, they moved to Vicky’s family farm, north west of Endeavour. This became their home for the next 50 plus years. They farmed together, with cattle being the main focus of the farm. Throughout their farming life, they always worked together. Mike loved his cattle, was a real “cowboy”. He loved what he did and often said he planned to farm and raise his cattle until he was 110. Due to health issues he finally retired in about 2007.  Mike’s health was very challenging and eventually moved to the Preeceville Personal Care Home in 2014. Mike passed away in his sleep on June 4, 2018.

Mike enjoyed hunting, fishing and camping. In his younger years he enjoyed dancing and he played ball. He loved watching hockey on TV and reading the local newspaper, the Western Producer and Marketplace.

Mike will be dearly missed by his beloved wife, Vicky and all of their nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Funeral Services were held on Friday, June 8, 2018 from the Chapel of Preeceville Funeral Home with Rev. Miles Russell of Trinity United Church officiating. The organist, Karolyn Kosheluk led the congregation in the singing of the hymns ‘What A Friend We Have In Jesus’, ‘Amazing Grace’ and ‘The Old Rugged Cross’. Tributes and words of remembrance were shared by Shirley Levesque. Honourary bearers were all of Mike’s nieces, nephews and their families. Interment followed in St. John’s Orthodox Cemetery in the Endeavour district with Louis Danyluk, Larry Stoudt, Bob Klyne, Wilf Jaques, Dennis Levesque, and Gerald Holhouser serving as the casketbearers.

Memorials in memory of Mike may be made to the Canadian Diabetes Association or to the Preeceville Personal Care Home as gifts of remembrance. Condolences can be sent to the family at www.preecevillefuneralhome.com 

Arrangements were entrusted to Preeceville Funeral Home.

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