HARBUS: In Loving Memory of Mike Harbus who was born April 8, 1934 at Hafford, SK and passed away February 13, 2012 at North Battleford, SK. Mike is survived by his loving family: his wife of 50 years, Jean; daughters: Janice, Karen (Randy) Combres & granddaughter, Brooklyn; Sharon (Mike) Kutsche and Debbie ; his sister, Rosaline (Ed) Bartsch; sisters-in-law: Rose (Nick) Onyskevitch, Olga Panno, Allene Yasinski and Teena Yasinski; uncle, Nick Boklaschuk; aunt, Mary Rothenburger; nieces and nephews. Mike was predeceased by his parents: Isador and Anastasia Harbus; in-laws: Mike & Mary Yasinski; sister: Natalie Brown; brothers-in-law: Glen Brown, Ben Yasinski, Kaz Yasinski and Harold Panno. The Funeral Service was held Friday, February 17, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. from Battleford United Church, Battleford, SK with Rev. Nora Borgeson officiating. The Eulogy was given by Colleen Panno Olson. Music Ministry was Organist, Mrs. M. Junice Headley; Battleford United Church Choir; Hymn Selections "Amazing Grace", "The Old Rugged Cross" and "Just As I Am" and CD Selection "Green, Green Grass of Home". The Honourary Pallbearers were "Relatives and Friends" and Active Pallbearers were Eugene Pobran, Mike Kutsche, Greg Gryzbowski, Jason Brown, Dean Boklaschuk and Jade Boklaschuk. Memorials are requested to Heart and Stroke Foundation; Renal Unit's at St. Paul's Hospital, Saskatoon, SK or The Battlefords Union Hospital, North Battleford, SK. Interment took place at City Cemetery, North Battleford, SK. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Battlefords Funeral Service 446-4200. EULOGY I would like to thank Auntie Jean & the girls for entrusting me with this honor. Uncle Mike is very special to me and I hope I can do him justice. Father F-A-T-H-E-R the girls have given me the following words to show what Uncle Mike was to them as a father- FAITH - ATTENTIVE - TENDER - HOPE - EVERYTHING - RESPECT. Mike Harbus, a husband, a father, a grandfather, a great man. We celebrate, respect & honour him today. A man that tries to ease your sorrow by trying to make light of things. By leaving his stamp of a boyish grin - He was born and raised in the small town of Hafford, SK. He grew up on the land where his passion for farming was his main livelihood. He was also a jack-of-all-trades from the friendly and reliable bus driver of thirty-three years to the role of professional painter. He enjoyed socializing and dancing around the Hafford community. Hence, leading to a dance near Radisson, Scottville School, where he met his beautiful wife, Jean. Their strength, determination and love prospered to lead them to celebrate their union of 50 years in the summer of 2011. Mike enjoyed many sports. His passion for softball always strung a note with the stories. He used to talk proudly about it and he always reminded the girls how tough sports were in those days 'as you know they didn't use ball gloves'. He enjoyed many other social outings including curling, fishing, snowmobiling and bb-qing. Along with the unforgettable card playing with the good old times of Kanasta and Kaiser with the neighbors, he was also a busy man of the community. He was a volunteer firefighter, a school board member, an active Co-op board member and Y-O men's club member. He was a kind man and would always help others placing them first as a priority before doing for himself. As for when her retired, he took up his hobby of a craftsman. Just like his father, who he was so proud of. He was kept busy, from making sheds to planters or his famous benches. You knew his cut wasn't right when you would hear tools being clanged around in the back walls in the garage along with a few choice words. But when he got it all right his boyish grin would shine through. His social life continued when he and Auntie Jean retired to the Battlefords. He took up the infamous Co-op coffee row. He was there in the morning and again in the afternoon because 'you know that is where you got the best news'. Uncle Mike and Auntie Jean met many new friendly faces, thru the 14 years of living in the Battlefords, further extending their family. Although his retirement in 1998 was met with health challenges, his strength & determination made him overcome numerous obstacles. He was a tough man who left the medical staff puzzled. When I asked my sisters of their biggest memory of Uncle Mike, they said 'Where's the whiskey?" as when Uncle Mike and Auntie Jean would visit my parents, this is what Uncle Mike would say as he was coming in the door and he and Dad would enjoy a drink or two. My memories of Uncle Mike are that of a very caring man. Through all the mistakes I have made in life, when I would talk to Uncle Mike, I never felt judged. We would talk and he would say things like 'sometimes things happen'. He just accepted people for who they were. Uncle Mike had the best smile; his eyes would light up when he smiled. His voice was soft and calming. Visiting with Uncle Mike always made me feel good. He was always happy and easy to be around. He was always interested in everything you were doing and you always felt like he had all the time in the world for you. Over the past few years when I would ask Uncle Mike how he was doing, he would say 'you know, some days are good and some not so good'. He would never really tell you how things were; he would change the subject to be all about how you were doing. If Uncle Mike had a temper, it was well hidden. When the Yasinksi clan got together and there were heavy 'discussions' around the card table, Uncle Mike just kind of sat back and let it happen around him. I know that if there are cards in heaven, he is now the fourth hand with his brothers-in-law; Dad, Uncle Ben & Uncle Kaz in a great game of 3 spot. He was also a proud man, very proud of his family. He shined when he talked about his family, his wife Jean, along with their four daughters, Janice, Karn, husband Randy, and their daughter Brooklyn, Sharon and husband, Mike and Debbie. He was proud of all of their accomplishments but he just wished he could have done more when his health began to fade. Uncle Mike here is a message from the 4 women who you have been there for from infancy to adulthood. It hasn't been fair to you, dad, this so called retirement. Rest peacefully now. Be up there with your family. Say hi to Baba and Deedo - we love you and miss you but you have endured enough. Go rest now- We LOVE you Dad!! CARD OF THANKS Jean & family would like to express their thanks to all the family and friends who honoured Mike. The kind gracious words, phone calls, visits, flowers, food trays, and donations were overwhelming. A special gratitude to all the medical staff at St. Paul's Renal Unit, BUH Renal Unit and Battlefords Home Care for all the years of care provided. In addition, the tremendous kindness from Battlefords Funeral Home, the Active Pallbearers, The Battleford United Church Choir & ladies for the lovely lunch. As well, Reverend Nora Borgeson, for the service and the lovely words from Colleen Panno-Olson. Your efforts have been extremely appreciated. God Bless. ____________________________________________________
