Obituary of Gertrude Anne Nekurak
With heavy hearts and profound sadness, the family of Gertie Nekurak shares her passing. On March 4th, 2022, Gertie Nekurak, age 80, passed away in the Victoria Union Hospital in Prince Albert, SK with family by her side. Gertie was born on April 13th, 1941, in Billimun, SK. She was the fourth of five children born to Philip and Barbara Maffenbeier. Gertie lived her earliest years in the Wideview District until her family moved to Assiniboia in 1944. That is where she grew up and attended all of her schooling. It was also in Assiniboia where she met her husband Orest Nekurak. Orest was working in a restaurant there and when Gertie got hired on to waitress their life together began. Gertie and Orest were married on September 3rd, 1960. Their early years were spent in Saskatoon and in 1966 they moved to Prince Albert where they remained. Together they raised five children and had a foster child for several years as well.
Gertie is predeceased by her husband Orest in 2014. She was also predeceased by her mother Barbara, father Philip, brother Peter Maffenbeier, and sister and brother-in-law Pauline and Willie Marcenko all of Assiniboia, and one great- grandchild.
Left to mourn her passing Gertie is survived by her son, Gregory (Bonnie) and family, Amanda (Michael), Michael (Yuka), Sarah, Alex (David); her daughter, Michele (Randy) Mathers and family, Christie and Michael; her son, Warren (Juvy) and family, Robby (Ali), and Larissa; her son, Brian (Kym) and family, Ben and Sam; her daughter, Leslie (Jim) Smith and family, McKayla, McKenzie, Brooke and Kemper; as well as 14 great-grandchildren; her brother, Paul (Charlotte) Maffenbeier of Red Deer; her brother, Clarence (Heather) Maffenbeier of Assiniboia; her sister-in-law, Sharyn of Assiniboia; her brother-in-law, Maurice (Ruth) Nekurak of Assiniboia; her sister-in-law, Olive Goodwin of Saskatoon; and numerous nieces and nephews
Gertie worked several jobs throughout her life. Some of which included Kresges in both Prince Albert and Saskatoon, Sally Shop and Orange Julius Baaco Pizza and Pizza Hut as a prep cook, and the Lutheran Bible Camp. At some point in there she also had a childrens daycare in her home.
Gertie enjoyed crocheting immensely and made many a blanket, scarves, toques and mittens in her day. She loved doing ceramics and we know there are countless family and friends who have a variety of pieces of ceramics in their homes courtesy of her. She was an avid lifelong member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Associated Canadian Travellers (ACT’s). She also sold Avon for many years and developed several friendships because of it. Gertie loved spending time with her family and took great pride in her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Because of Gertie and Orests’ passion for food and cooking there were a lot of get- togethers with family and friends with an abundance of great food. A great majority of these get togethers took part in what Gertie referred to as the greatest place on earth “Waskesiu”. Gertie absolutely loved her time spent there and could hardly wait for spring each year to get up to her cabin and spend as much time there as possible until the cold set in again. There were a lot of great times spent at the cabin, out on the lake, and in the camp kitchens throughout the park. The fish fries were phenomenal. It was in Waskesiu that she met many wonderful neighbors and made lifelong friends. She will be forever missed by those whose lives she touched.
A Celebration of Life will be held for Gertie on Saturday, March 26, 2022, at 2:00 pm at Messiah Lutheran Church, 1796 15th Avenue East, Prince Albert, with lunch to follow. For those unable to attend, the service will be livestreamed and may be viewed at: https://youtu.be/dD3HVPlcEfU . A recording will remain available after the service. In lieu of other tributes, donations in memory of Gertie may be made to Telemiracle Kinsmen Foundation, 2217C Hanselman Court, Saskatoon, SK, S7L 6A8, Heart and Stroke Foundation, #26 - 1738 Quebec Avenue, Saskatoon, SK, S7K 1V9, or the MS Society, 150 Albert Street, Regina, SK, S4R 2N2.
Family and friends wishing to send online condolences are welcome to visit www.beaulacfuneralhome.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Beau “Lac” Funeral Home and Crematorium, Lorne Adams, Funeral Director, Prince Albert, SK 306-763-3322.
