Michael P. Derhousoff

     Mike was born and raised in the railroad siding village of Cote, 8 miles southeast of Kamsack where his father Peter was the elevator agent. He had a rural upbringing and worked for farmers in the area from the age of 12. After attending Silver Creek School and taking some correspondence courses he completed high school in Kamsack and graduated in 1946. He then did odd jobs as a farm labourer and carpenters helper. He spent one winter with an axe and Swede saw cutting down the first 9 holes of the Madge Lake golf course.

     In 1948 he headed west to the Okanogan Valley and worked in the orchards and fruit packing houses for two summers returning home for the winters. He began his first full time job in 1950 at the Northern Petroleum Corporation where he worked in various positions until he resigned in 1958 and enrolled at the Sask. Teachers College in Moose Jaw. He returned to teach grade 4 and 5 at Victoria School in Kamsack for a total of 9 years. He moved to Yorkton in 1968, first teaching at Simpson School and then Columbia where he taught grade 5 until leaving due to illness in 1986. Through these years he continued his education and in the fall convocation of 1973 he received his B. Ed. Degree, with distinction, from the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon.

     Mike was always drawn to the wonders of nature. From summers spent swimming and fishing the creeks to climbing trees, hunting gophers and picking berries as a boy and then later to the nature hikes taken with the school at Duck Mountain. This attraction was later rekindled with his outdoor education camps at Good Spirit Lake. Mike always mentioned the camaraderie established with students and fellow teachers in each of those one week, 24hr. day excursions where he acted as quartermaster, kitchen supervisor and sand dune guide. Mike also enjoyed planting with his students as you can see by the trees in the Columbia School front yard.

     In Kamsack, Mike was on the Recreation Board for several years. In Yorkton he was first secretary then president of the Yorkton Association for the Mentally Challenged. He served as secretary/president of the Developmental Board when they established the Developmental Centre at St Mary’s School. He was also president/secretary of the Group Home Board when they established the first two group homes in Yorkton for the mentally challenged.

     After retiring Mike spent a lot of time travelling. He purchased the old homestead and moved back to Cote where he spent his time extensively renovating the house and yard. He eventually sold the house and moved to the warmer climate of BC for a number of years before moving back to Kamsack and renting a suite. Most recently Mike spent most of his time with his valued friends and family and enjoyed kicking up his heels at the various dances in the area. He enjoyed cooking and was always ready to share his freshly prepared borscht and blintzes. He generously gave to many charities on a regular basis and his generosity touched many.

      Mike is survived by his children; Patrick, Tim, Michelle, Yvonne, sister Katherine (Walter) Ogloff, sister-in-law; Vicki Derhousoff as well as several nieces and nephews.

      He is predeceased by his parents; Peter and Anne Derhousoff (nee Horkoff), brother Peter Derhousoff, sister Tena Burtnick-Wilken.