Brenda M. (Ritchie) Pankevich

It is with great sadness that the family of Brenda Pankevich, beloved wife of the late Larry Pankevich, of Crystal Lake, announce her passing on March 10, 2025. She was 72 years of age.

A Gathering to Celebrate Her Life was held on Saturday, June 21, 2025, at the Ukrainian Catholic (West End Hall) in Preeceville.

Interment followed in the Preeceville Ukrainian Catholic Parish Cemetery..

Memorial donations in memory of Brenda may be made to123 Care For Me Daycare (Box 279, Sturgis, SK, S0A 4A0) or the Kidney Foundation of Canada (A3 - 116 103 Street East, Saskatoon, SK, Canada, Saskatchewan S7N 1Y7) as gifts of remembrance.

Brenda May Pankevich (Ritchie) was born on March 11, 1952, on the farm in Hassan, SK, to Albert and Mary Ritchie.  Brenda was the fourth daughter of a family of five daughters and three sons.  She attended public school and high school in Sturgis, SK, graduating in 1970.

After graduation she moved to Edmonton where she worked at A & W and then once she got her drivers license she took on a job at a Nursing Home in Spruce Grove.  In 1980 she moved back to Saskatoon where she spent many years caring for residents at Sunnyside Nursing Home, Riverside Terrace as well she ran a day home where she spent many hours looking after small children.  In 2002 she moved to Prince Albert where she was a manager of Penningtons clothing store.  She also worked at Priest Home in Preeceville, 123 Care for Me in Sturgis and was a cook at the Crystal Lake Golf Course.

Brenda married, the love of her life, Larry Thomas Pankevich on October 2, 1976.  They welcomed their daughter Carla Rae on July 28, 1977, and son Scott Alexander on December 14, 1986.

Brenda and Larry bought their retirement home at Crystal Lake in 2007 and retired to their Happy Place a few years later.

Brenda had a heart of gold, she always welcomed everyone into her home offering an ear to listen, advice if needed and a wonderful home cooked meal.  She was known for her famous doughnuts and excellent cooking skills.  Brenda cherished family get togethers, time at Crystal Lake with her Lake Family and absolutely loved the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Johnny Reid!

Brenda is predeceased by her parents, Al & Mary Ritchie, in-laws Harry & Annie Pankewich, Sisters Shirley Ritchie and Patricia Peel and sister-in-laws Joy Ritchie, Julie Gulka & Alice Dmytriw, brothers-in-law Audin Hesiuk, Walter Statchuk, Mike Dmytriw & Gord Lesanko, nephews Corey Statchuk, Danny Gulka, Rob Brezinski, Andy Gulka, Ron Kowalyk & Nolan Thompson, niece Brenda Porter and great nephew Adam Vanthuyne.

Leaving to cherish her memory; daughter Carla and her husband Shane Budnick and granddaughter Hayley; son Scott; her sisters Sharon (Merv) Secundiak, Carol (Ken) Pugh; brothers David Ritchie, Blake (Sherri) Ritchie, Bob (Kathy) Ritchie; sister-in-laws Stella Tulik, Marge Statchuk, June Hesiuk, Jane (Phil) Brezenski, Lenore Lesanko, numerous nephews and nieces, friends and lake family.