Vonda Grywacheski passed away on Sunday, December 7, 2014 in Ladysmith, BC. She was born in Arran, SK on May 28, 1925, the daughter of John and Michalena Hrabarchuk. She was the youngest of thirteen children. Vonda married Marian Grywacheski and his four little children on June 13, 1943. Two more girls were born into the family. Together Marian and Vonda raised their children and owned and operated the Villa Hotel in Norquay, SK. They retired in 1975 and moved to Yorkton, SK. Vonda continued to work part-time at the Yorkton Hotel and later at the Royal Canadian Legion until Marian passed away in 1981. Vonda loved to work in her garden, her home and her community. She was a great cook and hostess to relatives and friends. Her home was immaculate and her shelves and freezer stocked with preserves and produce from her garden. She was an active member of the Catholic Women's League (C.W.L.), so if she wasn't working at home, she was volunteering at St. Gerard's Church, making perogies and cabbage rolls or visiting sick parishioners at the hospital or nursing home. She liked to be busy but it was not all work and no play. Vonda loved to sing, dance and to curl and what a curler she was! Her many trophies attest to her skill at the sport. The past seven years have been a trying time for her. With her failing health, she had to leave behind the home, friends and community she loved so much and moved to Ladysmith, BC. Though she was not able to enjoy the activities she once did, she made numerous friends in the Home Care and later the Arbour Cottage Staff who all enjoyed her quick wit and sense of humour. Vonda will be remembered by all who knew her, for her strength, her courage and her faith . . . and who could forget that thousand watt smile. Vonda was predeceased by her parents; her husband, Marian; her daughters, Genevive and Geraldine; her son, Henry and sons-in-law, Walter and Adolph; eleven brothers and sisters and a close friend, Cyril. She is survived by her daughters, Leocadia Adams, Cornelia (Lawrence) Schiewe and Sheral (Tom) McCann; sons-in-law, August Mydynski and Lawrence Yaremko and one sister, Jean Zaharychuk. She also leaves to mourn her passing her grandchildren, Linda (Martin) Connor, Darrell (Cindy) Adams, Kirk Yaremko, Krystal (Jody) Hammersmith, Waltra (Pat) Lewis, Gary (Wendy) Schiewe, Sandra (Shawn) Herrmann, Rochell (Orest) Jakymyc, Corene Mydynski (Ken Duprey), Rae Lene Mydynski, Keith Mydynski, Scott Grywacheski and Mark Grywacheski as well as 18 great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandson and many nieces and nephews. The Prayer Vigil Service was held on Friday, December 12, 2014 from St. Gerard's Roman Catholic Church in Yorkton, SK, with Father Francis Hengen officiating. The accompanist, Lorraine Lysak, led the congregation and members of the church choir in the singing of the hymns, "The Lord's My Shepherd", "Psalm 119" and "Precious Lord, Take My Hand". The Funeral Service was held on Saturday, December 13, 2014 from St. Gerard's Roman Catholic Church with Father Francis Hengen officiating. The accompanist, Pamela Yaremko, led the congregation and members of the church choir in the singing of the hymns, "Be Not Afraid", "Psalm 23", "Prayer of St. Francis", "On Eagle's Wings", "Song of the Angels" and "Holy God, We Praise Thy Name". The Cross Bearer was Vonda's great-granddaughter, Raelynn Yaremko and the Readers were granddaughter, Krystal Hammersmith and niece, Stella Boyko. The Interment Service followed in the Canora Town Cemetery with grandson, Gary Schiewe, great-grandson, Madsen Yaremko, son-in-law, Lawrence Yaremko and nephews, Leo Boyko, Gerry Hrabarchuk and Ernie Bias serving as the casket bearers. Friends so wishing may forward their condolences to the family by visiting www.christiesfuneralhome.com. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Christie's Funeral Home & Crematorium, Yorkton, Saskatchewan.
