Annie left this world peacefully in the dawn breaking hours of July 7, 2010 at the Davidson Health Centre where she had resided for a brief two and one-half months.
Annie was born on January 5, 1920 to Mary (nee Pillipow) and Fred Byke in the rural area called Horseshoe Lake east of Kenaston. She attended Horseshoe Lake School completing her Grade Eight. Life was hard and Annie learned her hard work ethics at a very early age. She worked as a housekeeper and farm labourer for several families in the community until she met and married Michael Florian Nizinkevich on July 4, 1943. They moved to the farm and began raising their family and building their life together.
Wayne Michael was born on Oct. 29, 1944, Frank Robert was born on Oct. 28, 1945 and Diane Louise was born on Nov. 16, 1950. Annie had a love for the land like no one I’ve ever known. Her greatest joy was toiling in her garden and making things grow. She had the greenest thumb. She could make anything grow and just had a sixth sense on how much to water or what that plant needed. She would save egg shells and coffee grounds and who knows what else to put on her garden to rejuvenate the soil. She was “green” long before anyone else was. Her gardens on the farm seemed to be everywhere. Friends and neighbours never left our yard without some of her bountiful garden, either a bag full or a trunk full. Kids usually got a handful of sweet peas or a bouquet of glads. Many a bouquet of flowers were gathered from her garden for the altar at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church in Kenaston. She had her own little welcome wagon when someone new would move to town. She would deliver a bag of fresh produce to the new folks as her way of saying welcome.
Annie had so many talents. Sewing had to be her favourite. She sewed all her daughters clothes until she left home. She would sew Barbie clothes for her daughter’s friends for their birthdays. In her later years she became a “master patcher”. She could put a blue jean zipper in almost in her sleep.
People would hang grocery bags on her door knob with instructions on how to fix it and she would quickly repair it and anxiously await their return. It became a social thing for Annie. Crocheting and quilting were other passions of Annie’s. She has crocheted hundreds of doilies and tablecloths and many, many afghans. She always had a project on the go. You rarely, if ever, found her sitting idle watching TV without her crochet hook moving in her hand.
I tried to think of one word to describe my mother and “spunky” came to mind. She had a sharp tongue if you crossed her and she would not hesitate to let you know what she thought. But on the other side she would do anything for you if you asked.
Annie’s greatest joy were her grandchildren and especially her great-grandchildren. Her brightest days were when her grandchildren stopped in for a visit. She would love to have her great-grandchildren rush into her arms with a bear hug for “GG”.
Annie is survived by her loving family: children, Frank (Barbara) Nizinkevich, Kenaston, Diane (Bill) Wall of Fillmore, and daughter-in-law Linda Nizinkevich, Kenaston; grandchildren, Michelle (Aaron) Ringdal, Joanne (Ken Premech), Susan (Shane) Mamer, Robert Nizinkevich (MacKenzie Kadlec), Angie (Dan) Courtney, Ryan (Shelley) Nizinkevich, Sherry and Melissa Nizinkevich, Greg (Jodie) Wall, David Wall and Dana (Jason) Wall-Smith; and great-grandchildren, Brodie, Sierra and Kash Ringdal, Christopher Premech, Adyson and Ayden Mamer, Hailey Courtney, Brandon and Shawn Nizinkevich, and Ethan, Kiera and Ryker Wall.
Annie was predeceased by her mother and father, Fred and Mary Byke; husband Michael in 1983; son Wayne (Feb. 23, 2010), brothers, Bill (1994), Andrew (1977), Pete (1957), Mike (1980) and John (2006); and sisters, Mary (1995) and Olga (1983).

• Emil Louis “Lou” passed away peacefully on July 10, 2010 at St. Paul’s Hospital in Saskatoon, Sask.
  Lou is remembered by family and friends as a kind and hard-working man. He served in the Air Force in WWII and was very proud of his service, often saying “it took 100 of us on the ground to keep one plane in the air.”
  Following the war, he married Mollie Ross and settled on the farm at Bladworth, where together they raised their four children, Dale, Ross, Shannon and Gayle.
  After moving to Davidson in 1973, Lou and Mollie travelled on many holidays and enjoyed spending winters in a warmer climate. Lou spent many hours at the pool hall, otherwise known as his office. He loved teasing and had an unstoppable sense of humor but was always there when he was needed.
  He was a founding member of the Davidson Credit Union and served for more than 20 years. He was also a long-time member of the Co-op board.
  Family was very important to him. When Lou’s family got together there was music from his fiddle, laughing and dancing. If there wasn’t a card game going on, he would be watching a Blue Jay’s game.
  He was devastated with the illness and loss of his wife Mollie and then he met Helen. They were inseparable and it was wonderful to see them together. Helen and Lou enjoyed many trips to visit family and friends. A day never passed that humor and laughter didn’t accompany them.
  Lou is survived by his loving family: wife, Helen, children Ross (Marion), Shannon (Don), Gayle, Helen’s daughter Julie (Lloyd); 18 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren and numerous other family members. He was predeceased by his first wife Mollie, son Dale and granddaughter Kristine (Julie’s daughter). For friends so wishing, memorials in memory of Lou may be directed to the Canadian Cancer Society. The Mass of Christian Burial was held on July 13, 2010 at the Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church, Davidson, Sask.
  Lou will be missed by all who knew him.

• Iva Lucy Ellis (nee Spratt) was born March 29, 1921 near Davidson, Saskatchewan. She passed away June 28, 2010. One of eight children born to the late Harry and Janet Spratt, Iva married Harvey Ellis in Regina in 1942 and in 1955 the family moved to Vancouver Island. She was predeceased by Harvey and their youngest son Gordon in 2009. Iva is survived by one sister Jean McIvor of Davidson, daughters Patricia (Wilf) Hatch, Mary Lou (Ray) Reynolds and Donna (Scott) Rawsthorne; daughter-in-law Joanne Ellis; sons Douglas (Elizabeth) and John (Hazel); 12 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren, plus numerous nieces and nephews. Iva passed away peacefully at New Horizons Community Care in Campbell River, B.C. The family thanks all the caregivers at New Horizons for their loving attention to Mom (the chocolate lady) during her stay.
  No service by request. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to do so, please make a donation to Canadian Cancer Society.
  The depth of sorrow we cannot tell
  Of the loss of one we loved so well.
  And while she sleeps a peaceful sleep
  Her memory we shall always keep.
  Arrangements in care of First Memorial Funeral Services, 1720 Bowen Road, Nanaimo, B.C., V9S 1G9

Mable Hagen, late of Davidson, Saskatchewan passed on Thursday, May 27, 2010 at 89 years, a resident of the Davidson Health Care Centre. Mable was born on July 5, 1920 at Craik, Saskatchewan.
She was predeceased by her husband Whitford Leonard Hagen, parents, sister, brother, grandson and great-grandson. Mable is survived by her five children and their families.
The service was held Thursday, June 3, 2010 with Rev. Diane Eurig officiating. Active pallbearers were Dennis Hagen, Dwayne Tyson and Russell Hagen.
Interment was in the family plot in the Davidson Cemetery.
Mable’s good soul shone through her nice smile, one that is sadly missed, fondly remembered.
Memorials of Mable may be directed to the recreational activities at  Davidson Health Care Centre.
Hanson’s Funeral Home, Davidson, in care of arrangements.

Jack Zdunich, who resided at the Thomson Care Home in Milden, Sask., formerly of Kenaston, Sask., age 92 years, passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 13, 2010.
Jack was born on the farm, two miles north of Kenaston on June 21, 1917. He was educated in Kenaston and farmed in that area.
He was predeceased by his parents, Nicola and Rosa Zdunich and siblings, Joe, Tillie, Tony, Nic, John and Teresa and two brothers in infancy. Jack is survived by sisters, Rose Munro of Prince George, B.C., Helen (Harry) Chapin of Kelowna, B.C. and Ann Libke of Hanley, Sask.; sisters-in-law, Mary Zdunich and Marie Zdunich; and numerous nieces and nephews.
The Vigil of Prayers was held on May 17, 2010 at 7 p.m. The Mass of Christian Burial was said on Tuesday, May 18, 2010 at 2 p.m. with Father Joseph Gyim-Austin officiating. Both services were held at St. Andrew’s Roman Catholic Church, Kenaston, Sask. Special music was provided by Angie Weisner with the choir in attendance. Special hymns were “How Great Thou Art” and “Prayer of St. Francis”. Pallbearers were Greg Zdunich, Daryl Libke, Brenda Zdunich, Doug Zdunich, Lynne Yelich and Louis Zdunich.
Interment in the family plot, St. Andrew’s Cemetery, Kenaston, Sask. For friends so wishing memorials in memory of Jack may be directed to the St. Andrew’s Church Fund or to the charity of your choice.
Hanson’s Funeral Home, Davidson in care of arrangements.

Fabian Stephen Pavelich passed away peacefully at the age of 83 on June 1, 2010. Fabian, one of six children of Fabian “Nick” and Martha (Sarich) Pavelich, was born on the family farm near Bladworth. He attended Briggs School, completed high school at St. Anthony’s College in Edmonton and attended Business College in Saskatoon. While Fabian’s first employment was with the Saskatchewan Government in Regina, his aspiration was to join the RCMP. During his career he was posted to many locations in B.C. and then was transferred to Winnipeg where he was in charge of traffic for “D” Division. After 35 years of service as a dedicated member of the RCMP, “Fabe” retired in 1986 as Staff Sergeant with service of distinction and a commendation for heroism. Fabian was proud of the fact that during his long career, through the use of his wits, he managed to avoid ever having to use his sidearm.
Fabian will be remembered as the beloved husband of Gladys Elizabeth (Betty); loving father of Stephen, Michael (Becky) and Suzanne; devoted grandpa to Hillary, James, Charlotte, Nicholas, Amy and Jacqueline. Fabian was predeceased by his parents, sisters Pauline Tracy, Kathryn Posey and brother Milton. He is survived by his sister Barbara, brother Ivan (Jan), sister-in-law Carol Pavelich and numerous nieces and nephews. Fabian’s post retirement years were invested in Sidney, B.C. where he devoted his time to the family, grandchildren and the community. He enjoyed Sunday drives with Betty, hockey, fishing and repairing or organizing anything around the house. He was a skilled and precise woodworker. As a father, Fabian instilled in his children the importance of integrity, righteousness, perseverance and work ethic. He will be dearly missed by his family, friends and community for his sense of humour, sound advice and generosity. The funeral mass was celebrated on June 11, 2010 at St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Church, Sidney, B.C. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to charity of your choice.