Steve Prestie

     Steve Prestie was born on February 14, 1932 in the Chekow District to his parents Mike and Frances (Derin) Prestie. Steve grew up working with his family on their farm and after finishing his schooling at Chekow School he worked in Ontario at a lumber camp and at Earl’s Hotel in Regina as a bartender.

     Steve married Eileen Gulka on July 12, 1954 at Hryhoriw Church. They started their married life on a farm next to Eileen’s parents, five miles south and six miles west of Preeceville (where Dale and Liz now reside). Here they grain farmed and raised cattle, sheep, pigs, horses, and chickens.

     As well as being busy with their farm, Steve and Eileen welcomed their three children: Donna in 1955, Dale in 1957, and Anita in 1963. In 1965, Steve and Eileen built a house in Preeceville and moved their family to town.

     Steve worked (along with his family) as a janitor at the Preeceville School, helped with the construction of the Preeceville hospital and the curbs in town, and also did electrical work with both Dalton’s and Cook’s electric.

     Steve always kept farming and farmed with his son Dale for many years, continuing with the grain and livestock. Even after his official retirement when he sold his cattle (at age 64) he was always available and wanted to help out with any work that needed to be done. This continued to the age of 89 when he was still helping Dave and Laura to ear tag and process calves, and was splitting and piling wood at home, and helping Dale on the farm. He was always ready to lend a helping hand to family and friends.

     Steve enjoyed many activities – fishing, hunting, carpentry, picking mushrooms and antlers, gardening with Eileen, and buying and selling trucks, tractors, farm equipment, and all varieties of second-hand items.

     Family time was important to Steve – he enjoyed all of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Taking his grandkids out for a fishing adventure was a great joy to him. He always had time to draw pictures, tell a funny story, or get down on the floor to play!

     Steve passed away on April 27, 2023 at home with his family by his side. Steve was predeceased by his parents, Mike and Frances; his brothers Harry, Philip, and Bill; sisters Mary, Stella, and Hazel; as well as two siblings in infancy.

     Steve is survived by Eileen, his wife of 68 years; his three children – Donna Beatty (Jim), Dale Prestie (Elizabeth), and Anita Fairbank (Jim); his 13 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren – Jon Beatty (Ronda) and children Tristan, Jessie, Jade, and Ryder; Laura Beatty (Dave) and children Brea and Kage; Luke Beatty (Lorelie) and children Lily and Blake; Beth Palaniuk (Chad) and children Cole, Jake, Matty, Janie, and Max; Joel Beatty; Brandon Prestie (Stacy) and children Zac, Amber, and Chase; Ben Prestie (Leah) and children Will, Connor, and Joey; Chance Prestie (Samantha) and son Duncan; Kate Prestie (Alana); Nichole Jakubowski (Jeff); Matthew Fairbank (Ané) and sons Danté and Trey; Christopher Fairbank (Kathleen) and children Maddison and Marcus; Stephen Fairbank (Brittany); as well as Steve’s sister-in-law Mildred Prestie; and many nieces and nephews.

     ….. When someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure.