Joseph "Joe" Yurkoski passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 14, 2014 at the St . Paul Lutheran Care Home in Melville, SK. He was 93 years old. Joe Yurkoski was born on March 17, 1920 in Ebenezer, SK., the son of John and Nellie (nee Ukrainetz) Yurkoski. Joe married Lillian Fuches on March 25, 1948. They were blessed with three daughters, Joanne Obuck (husband, Gordon and daughters, Anna Schaab and Christina Elmy), Bonnie Grunert (husband, Kent and sons, Jonathan and Mark), and Sharon Schikowsky (husband, Matt and daughters, Lana Haider, Sara Matcyk and Brenna Baluk). Joe was also blessed with eight great grandchildren. Joe was predeceased by his wife, Lillian, brothers, Gordon, Eddie and Billy and sisters, Ivy, Eva and Helen. Joe enlisted into the army on September 19, 1939 and served overseas until 1945. Joe returned to Yorkton and began his career as a blacksmith with Ralph Heinz on Myrtle Avenue. From there he worked as a steamfitter at CFS Whitespruce at Orcadia until he retired in 1981. In his retirement years, Joe enjoyed bartending at private functions, delivering carpets for his son-in-law, shoeing horses and taking part in many Legion activities. Joe will be remembered as always having a story to tell, sharing a smile or giving a hand to anyone in need. The Funeral Services was held on Monday, January 20, 2014 from St. Paul Lutheran Church in Yorkton, SK with Pastor Fred Schneider officiating. Words of tribute and eulogy were shared by family friend, Terry Fagrie and information from an Interview with Joe were shared by his granddaughter, Anna Schaab. The organist, Carla Laycock, led the congregation in the singing of the hymns, "The Church of the Wildwood", "In The Garden" and "Amazing Grace". The soloist, Ray Yost, shared one selection, "How Great Thou Art". Legion Funeral Rites were conducted with Pastor Richard Gibson serving as the Padre, the Sergeant-at-Arms was Peter Wyatt, the Acts of Remembrance were led by Al Morley and the Color Party was Ed St. Pierre, Andy Juba, Barry Merriman, Fred Bodnaryk and other members of the General Alexander Ross Branch #77 of the Royal Canadian Legion. The Interment Service followed in the Yorkton City Cemetery with Doug Ukrainetz, Russell Bischop, Terry Fagrie, Rim Reid, Jonathan Grunert and Luke Schaab serving as the casket bearers. The Piper, Ferne Katzberg played processional and recessional music as well as at the Interment Service. Friends so wishing may make donations in Joe's name to the Canadian Cancer Society as tokens of remembrance. 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.
