Darlene Andrusiak

ANDRUSIAK, Darlene December 3, 1946 – April 21, 2016 aged 69 years.  Darlene was born in Canora SK to Nicoli and Anne (Rudachyk) Ochitwa of the Westerlund District West of Norquay, SK. She received her education at Westerlund and Norquay Schools.  Darlene worked for Mike and Pauline Hudye, waitressed at a Chinese Restaurant in Norquay and was a sales clerk at the Army & Navy in Regina.  Darlene worked as a nanny for Doris McCloskey of the Donwell District and Walter worked there as a farm hand.  Walter said it was when he received his first paycheck from there that he bought her engagement ring.

  It was Darlene’s legs that attracted Walter to her.  He worked at Mike Novakowski’s garage in Norquay and was polishing up his car when a group of young ladies walked by and he was instantly love struck by her great set of legs. They were married on July 10, 1965, in the Pelly United Church.  They started their married life in Pelly.  In 1970, they moved to the Podolia District where they farmed.  In 1975, they bought the farm where they presently reside from Walters’ Aunt Mary & Uncle Metro Pelechaty. They were blessed with 5 children: Pamela Andrusiak (Ron Kaban), David, Loretta Hydamacka, Sheldon and Michelle (Trent) Nystrom. Her greatest blessings that she thought she would never live to see are her 7 grandchildren:Kelsey Chernoff (Brody Beliveau), Tyler Chernoff, Rylan Hydamacka, Jordan Andrusiak (Meghan Dixon), Jesse Andrusiak and Levi and Cody Nystrom who she considered her angels.

Darlene was a member of the Pelly United Church and an active member of the United Church Ladies Auxillary.  She taught Sunday school from time to time.  One thing that was very important to Darlene was her faith from which she was given the strength to carry on. She had a life-long devotion to the farm and her family – calving out cows, raising chickens and turkeys.  She always had a large garden and made tons of preservatives.  She was well known for her poppy seed chiffons. She enjoyed singing with Walter at various community events and at times were joined by other family members.  They were fortunate to pass this talent onto their daughters.  Their love for music was shared at numerous family occasions.

Darlene’s best vacations were their trips to Alberta for family weddings.  She accompanied Walter on a training course to Vancouver.  It was their first time flying and as they flew over Calgary Walter told her to look out and see the mountains and she told him, “you know where you can put your mountains”.  While there they visited with Walter’s cousin Carol and Jaye Ehrlich, who owned a pet store, Walter remembers Darlene petting something like an alligator.  Carol confirmed it was a 5 foot Iguana named Daisy and that they watched the snakes getting fed, holding a parrot on their arms and that Darlene loved the beautiful salt water fish.  Carol stated they were like two little kids at the zoo for the first time.  Carol stated she remembers Darlene commenting how much greener the grass was in BC even though it was winter.  Darlene’s’ two life challenges over the past 25 years have been with her health, the struggle with an enlarged heart and diabetes.

Darlene is survived by her loving husband Walter, their five children, seven grandchildren, sisters Donna (Larry) Sendziak, Elaine Wira, Valerie (Julian) Andrusiak, Phyllis (Ron) Masse and brothers Wallace and Kenneth (Janis) along with numerous nieces and nephews.  She is predeceased by her parents: Nicoli Ochitwa and Anne Ochitwa-Hansen, sister Sonia Kurytnik, brother in law Stan Wira, in-laws Nick & Stella Andrusiak & nephew Michael Andrusiak

Funeral Service was held April 27, 2016 at Pelly Community Hall, Pelly, Sk., with Laura Dahl officiating.  Interment followed at Greenwood Cemetery, Pelly District, SK. Friends who so desire, may make memorial donations to the Pelly United Church, Box 81, Pelly SK., S0A 2Z0 as a token of remembrance. To leave a note of condolence for the family, please visit Wolkowski.ca