On December 28, 2009, God came to take Bernice's hand to continue her eternal life's journey in the heavenly kingdom filled with peace, good health and happiness. Although Bernice will miss her family and friends, she knows she will meet them again in God's kingdom. Bernice was born in Vita, Manitoba on October 27, 1949. She loved and appreciated being raised in the small village of Middlebro, MB until grade 10 when her family moved to Winnipeg. Bernice graduated from West Kildonan Collegiate in 1966. She attended teacher's college and began her teaching career at age 18. Bernice loved her career and taught for 41 years until being unable to continue due to illness. Bernice's teaching philosophy was to encourage her students to live by the golden rule of do unto others as you would have them do unto you. She wanted her students to look forward to school as a safe and happy place. Her goal was to challenge her students and help them along in both school and life. Bernice met her husband, John, at her first exciting dance in the city in 1969. They married in 1970 and raised three wonderful children, Tracy, Scott and Jonathan. Bernice's goal in life was to raise her three precious jewels to love one another and to be respectful to all. Bernice was a determined and well organized hard worker, both in her occupation and private life. While raising her three children, she completed her Bachelor of Education by attending night school, yet working full time. Bernice was very involved in her children's education and social life. She always supported them in achieving their life goals. Attending their sporting events was the light of her life. Bernice was one of those loud mothers in the stands ringing her school bell while being totally immersed in the games. Bernice loved her cabin at Buffalo Point. Nature provided her heart with peace, joy, and the feeling of a connection with God. One of her favourite pastimes was mushroom and berry picking. Bernice also loved to cook and clean. She extended her Ukrainian culture to her children by serving meals and reading traditional beliefs. Her favourite celebrations were Christmas Eve and Thanksgiving. The aroma of her meals will forever remain in our memories. Bernice was predeceased by her mother Helen Skrumeda (nee Tesarski) in 1996 and father Nick Skrumeda in 1983. We take great comfort in knowing that she has been reunited with them. Bernice was forever grateful for her parents' love and care. Bernice will be forever missed by her husband of 39 years, John, her children Tracy (Christopher), Scott (Shannon), Jonathan (Kristi), sisters Nel and Marie (Larry), niece Candace and nephews Allan and Jason, family friend Pete, loyal dogs Casper and Moses, as well as numerous family and friends. Bernice requested that thanks be extended to Dr. Daeninck and nurse Tracy, Dr. St. Goddard and the staff at Riverview. She also wished to say a final goodbye to her Tuesday afternoon support group friends. Bernice immediately loved her new friends and felt connected to each one. Also thanks to Judith for reiki sessions and spiritual advice, Irene Shapira for emotional support and Fathers Klimkiw, Skrumeda and Lukie for their spiritual support. Prayers for Bernice will be held at 6:00 p.m. Friday, January 1, 2010 at St. Joseph's Ukrainian Catholic Church, 250 Jefferson Ave. Divine Liturgy will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, January 2, 2010 also at St. Joseph's Ukrainian Catholic Church, with Very Rev. Bohdan Lukie, C.Ss.R. officiating. Interment to follow in Holy Family Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Bishop Velychkovsky Martyr's Shrine at 250 Jefferson Ave., a place that brought Bernice great comfort and faith. God saw you getting tired When a cure was not to be, So He closed His arms around you And whispered, Come with me . You didn't deserve what you went through So He took you home to rest. God's garden must be beautiful For He only takes the best. Vichnaya Pam'yat 586-8044

We did it! Tracy and Chris are happy to announce we are now husband & wife. We exchanged vows on October 21, 2006 at Bel Acres Golf & Country Club in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Even the cold weather couldn't stop us! We unexpectedly met at the Middelbro Homecoming 2005 in Middlebro, Manitoba. Chris was bartending the event and I stopped in for what was supposed to be a quick visit with my mom & aunts (who all grew up in Middlebro). Sparks flew and the rest is history! They always say you'll meet someone when you least expect it & that certainly was true for us. The first few months of married life have been a blast. We are looking forward to honeymooning in Europe sometime in 2007.

Love the Newlyweds,

Tracy & Chris Laing (Winnipeg, Manitoba)

Top Row: Left to Right: Carter 2 (also known as Carts), Hunter 6
Bottom Row: Left to Right: Mackenzie 1 (also known as Kenny), Hudson 1

Carter, Hunter and Mackenzie are the children of Gene and Kristy
Hudson is the son of Jay and Dawn.
(Gene and Jay are the sons of cousin Eugene and Bev Skrumeda.

Here is what the proud grandfather (Eugene) has to say:

"Bev and I are very proud of them all .
Hunter is very Smart and can read and write and enjoys it. He can hold a conversation and uses some very impressive words in the right places. Carts is pretty laid back takes very good care of his sister and plays with her all the time. Kenny the Girl is tough she climbs around like a monkey and wrestles with the boy' and enjoys every minute of it. Hudson is such a happy guy takes no effort to get him laughing."

Obituary

SOLANGE SKRUMEDA (published on February 01, 2007)

SOLANGE SKRUMEDA With heavy hearts we announce the death of our mother, Solange Emilie Skrumeda on January 29, 2007. Mom was born December 14, 1916 in St. Pierre, MB. Our mother was a teacher when she met and married Alexander Skrumeda on January 13, 1944. Mom was a hard worker, loving her garden, home and most of all her family. Her greatest grief was the death of her youngest son Allan in 2002. Left to mourn are her husband Alexander; her children, Eunice (Fred) Cyr, Wayne Skrumeda and Louise Nault; daughter-in-law Terry Skrumdea; grandchildren; great-grandchildren; sisters, Francis Barnabe and Sister Jeanne D'Arc Nault. Cremation has taken place. Mass will be held at St. Adolphe Roman Catholic Church, in St. Adolphe, MB, Friday, February 2 at 2:00 p.m. Father Gerald Michaud officiating. May ministering angels guide you to your rest Arrangements by: Birchwood Funeral Chapel 1-888-454-1030 or 1-204-346-1030

Frances is the daughter of Petro Skrumeda (brother of George Skrumeda). Frances is also cousin to the surviving children of Dmitri and George Skrumeda.

FRANCES NATURKACH

It is with heavy hearts that we, the family of Frances Naturkach, announce her peaceful passing on Sunday, Jan. 28, 2007 at the age of 87.

Mom was born May 20, 1919 in Sundown, Man. When she and Peter married, they moved to Ontario.

She was pre-deceased by her parents; husband, Peter; daughter, Shirley Ann Sether; sisters, Dora and Mary; and brothers, John, Lawrence, and Peter.

Mom leaves behind to honour her memory her children and their spouses, Irene (Ken) Harrison, Mary (Jack) Ducharme, William (Heidi) Naturkach, John (and son Darcy) Naturkach, Gary (Paulette) Naturkach, and Vicky (Dave) Gillon.

Also left to mourn are her sisters, Cynthia, Helen, and Sophie; and many nieces and nephews.

Baba leaves behind her beautiful grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Kim (Pat) Playle and children, Carly and Samuel, Dana (Ken) Martin and children, Chloe and Jackson, Perry (Maggie) Ducharme and daughter, Paige, Erin (Doug) Kenzie and children, Ty and Hunter, Tony (Wendy) Sether and children, Nicholas and Tanner, Lisa Sether and children, Amy and James, Leigh Naturkach, Darcy Naturkach, Christine Naturkach, Jason Naturkach, and Casey and Stephen Gillon.

Franny was a people person and that’s how she got started to work at the Rainy Lake Hotel during banquets, club meetings, or any other gathering that involved people. We don’t recall how long she worked there but Mom loved it.

Our Mother was an outdoor lady right down to her gardening boots. Her job at the Safeway Floral Department made her heart sing, she absolutely loved those flowers. It was torture to go shopping with her because she’d be checking every pot telling poor Tyler to get the water cause the plants were dying!

Even at home, once she got outside, nothing else mattered. She’d forget to eat or drink because those weeds just had to go. She even tried to teach us to dance, but I think we all had left feet. She left us giggling when she two-stepped around the room.

We will all miss her terribly. She is now pain-free and at rest.

Funeral services will be held Friday, Feb. 2, 2007 at 11 a.m. at Green Funeral Home in Fort Frances, Ont. Pastor Ken Johnson will officiate, with interment in Riverview Cemetery in Fort Frances.

Friends may visit Thursday, Feb. 1, 2007 from 7-9 p.m. at Green Funeral Home in Fort Frances.

Pallbearers will be Perry Ducharme, Casey Gillon, Stephen Gillon, Darcy (O’Cheek) Naturkach, Tony Sether, and James Hanson.

Should family and friends so desire, in memoriam donations to the “Just Imagine” Campaign, c/o La Verendrye General Hospital, 110 Victoria Ave., Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 2B7, or c/o Green Funeral Home, P.O. Box 427, Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 3M8, would be appreciated.

Our sincere gratitude to Dr. Algie, the girls in Physio, and the great nurses of C.C.U. A very special thank you to Wes Derkson for his assistance.

Thank you!

ELSIE ELIZABETH SKRUMEDA December 9, 1934 January 4, 2007 Peacefully surrounded by her family, Elsie Skrumeda passed away at Seven Oaks General Hospital, January 4, 2007, at the age of 72 years. She will be sadly missed by her children: Gladys (Bill) Bozyk, Judy Hillier, Eugene (Bev), Michael (Serena), Kathy (Ross) Karbonik; her grandchildren: Eugene Jr. (Kristy), Jason (Dawn), David Hillier, Christopher, Kayla Karbonik, Megan, and Hailey Karbonik; her great-grandchildren: Hunter, Carter, Mackenzie, and Hudson; her brothers, sister, nephews, nieces, relatives, and friends. Prayers will be said on Monday, January 8, 2007, 7:00 p.m. at Steinbach Funeral Home. Mass will be held on Tuesday, January 9, 2:00 p.m. at Middlebro Community Hall, Middlebro, MB. Interment will follow in the Middlebro Cemetery. Mom we will miss you. The family. Vichnaya Pamyat. STEINBACH FUNERAL HOME 5 Chrysler Gate Steinbach, MB (204) 326-1351

I am coping with this painful illness on a day-to-day basis. Thank you all for the support (emotionally to us and financially to the cause) you have extended to us during the past year.

I was preoccupied with my career as a teacher of young ‘uns’; now it seems that most of my time is taken up with medical appointments and dissecting the pros and cons of our medical system.

Thank you again and I appreciate your thoughtfulness, kindness, and warm wishes.

Much Love, Bernice