KARCHIE- Nettie Karchie passed away at the Pasqua Hospital in Regina on September 5, 2017 with her family at her side. Nettie was eighty – eight years of age.

     Natalia Dashchuk was born on August 12, 1929 in Preeceville to Mary and John Dashchuk. Nettie was the youngest of five children. Nettie’s siblings included James, Joseph, Helen, William and Annie. Nettie is the last of her family.    Nettie’s family operated a Livery Stable in Preeceville. Nettie grew up on a house near her school. She received her formal education at Preeceville School.

      Nettie met her future husband Fred at a dance. A romance began and the two were married about a year and a half later on June 15, 1946 at the Saint Demetrius Greek Orthodox Church at Lady Lake, Saskatchewan. Nettie was sixteen years old when they were married. When first married, Nettie and Fred lived on Fred’s family farm. They farmed together for the next ten years. Nettie was a homemaker, farm woman and she also became a mother. On the farm, Nettie was involved with work in the fields and chores with the animals, as well as doing work in the home. In the days on the farm, there was no running water or electricity to aid in her work. Nettie stooked in the fields, milked cows, made butter, and sold eggs among other tasks.

     Nettie and Fred saw the birth of five children during their marriage. Nettie and Fred knew the loss of their first child Frederick who was stillborn, their second child Laverne who died when he was eight, and a twin daughter, Ann who was only a few hours old when she died. Louise and Maxine are their surviving children.

      Nettie and Fred moved to Toronto in 1956, where Fred worked for “Kardynal Insulation”. Nettie continued to be a homemaker. Fred also worked for several months in Fort Francis and in Kenora, Ontario. After their time in Ontario, they moved back to Saskatchewan in the spring of 1958. They moved their house from the farm into Preeceville and this has been Nettie’s home ever since.

      When Maxine was six years old, Nettie began working at the IGA store in Preeceville. She then worked for the Belesky’s at the Shop Rite store. In her years at the stores, Nettie did all sorts of jobs. She was a clerk/ cashier, and later became a meat cutter. Nettie worked for many years until an ankle injury convinced her to retire in 1980.

     When Nettie first retired, she took on the role of babysitter for her granddaughter Lindsay for about four years. Fred retired due to health issues in 1983. Fred passed away on September 5, 1994 and Nettie continued to live in her own home until the present.

     This July, Nettie decided to visit her family in Edmonton while her home was being renovated. Unfortunately, her health began to deteriorate and she was hospitalized in Preeceville, Canora, Yorkton and Regina. The family is very grateful for the dedication of the medical staff.

Nettie passed away on September 5, 2017 while in the Pasqua Hospital in Regina. She had the support and care of her friends and family during her stay in hospital.

       Nettie had many passions during her life, including hard work, caring for her family, fishing, travelling, bowling, bingo, watching game shows on TV, having coffee with friends, gardening, baking, and serving on the Preeceville Lioness Club. Nettie also loved flowers especially orchids and birds of paradise.

     Nettie will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her. The memories which her family and friends share bring blessings and are a lasting legacy which she leaves all. For the gift of these memories that bless, for her life of eighty-eight years, and for the lives she touched, we offer our humble thanks to God.

     Nettie was predeceased by her loving husband, Fred, their children: Frederick, Laverne and Ann; her parents, John and Mary.

     Left to cherish her memory are her daughters Louise Karchie (Gabe Bazin) and Maxine (Rick) Zdebiak; her grandchildren, Lindsay (Eddie) Chippett, Cassandra Zdebiak (Neil), Matthew Zdebiak (Christa); two great grandchildren, Jesse and Lily Chippett; former son in law, Tim Formo, and her step grandchildren, Ingrid Kozoway, Dwight Bazin, and Connie Maglioli, as well as many other family members and friends.

     A funeral service for Nettie was held on Saturday, September 16, 2017 from Trinity United Church in Preeceville with Reverend Miles Russell presiding. Interment followed at St. Demetrius Parish Cemetery. Arrangements were entrusted to Preeceville Funeral Home.

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