Olga Alice Kotyk

Olga passed away at Swan River Hospital August 25, 2023 at the age of 99 years.

Olga was born to Max and Cassie Kotyk in Whitebeech,  Saskatchewan on July 20, 1924.

She attended Built School, 1 1/2 miles from her home in rural Whitebeech. She loved school and acquired grade 6. She was an honors student but had to quit school at age 14 to help look after three younger sisters at home.

She met her husband while cooking at a lumber camp.  They married Nov 1, 1947.

Nick and his brother Bill got a contract from  the Saskatchewan Timber Board. This was the start of  many years of Olga  cooking in camps. With two small boys in tow she cooked for large amounts of men for years.  They moved to  Swan River in 1954. In 1957 they operated and owned the Crescent Theatre and restaurant while also managing  the sawmill. As a result she was a  fantastic cook. Telling us how she   rose early in the morning, everyday, to bake fresh bread for the men at camp.

She obtained her Nurses Aid training in 1967-68. The course ran once a week for six weeks. She then started work  at Swan River Hospital until she retired in 1986. She worked in pediatrics for most of those years, loving the babies, and many years in rehab.  She walked to work, fortunately living only 2 blocks from hospital, as she never had a drivers license. She loved her job.

After retiring she  started bowling. She was team captain for many years. In total, she bowled for nearly  30 years.  She was 93 years when she stopped bowling in  February 2017.  She really enjoyed it, as well as the many people she bowled with.

She was a member at the Swan River Seniors Centre, attending the weekly bingo games as well as taking her turn at the books. She was good at numbers.

She was active all her life at her Ukrainian Catholic Church. Singing in choir and serving on the board. She made many, many cabbage rolls and perogies  in the basement of the church for fund raising.

She enjoyed sewing, gardening and over the years showed her talents at cross stitch, paper tole, knitting and crochet. In later years  she loved jigsaw puzzle and playing cards.  She regularly attended bingo at many of the places in town.

Travels included a trip to Cuba, and Alaska. Several  trips to Las Vegas and many  times to B.C and Alberta to visit Debbie and her family.

Olga gave her time generously to her children and grandchildren.

She leaves to mourn: Her sons Gerald (Betty), Eugene (Shirley), her daughter Sheree Soura (Stuart) all of Swan River and daughter Debbie Lychuk (Lorne) from Cochrane, AB. Grandchildren, Desmond, Vanessa, Heather, Lyle, Erin, Dallas, Todd, Kyle and Ryan and 9 great  grandchildren

She is predeceased by her  husband Nick, parents Max and Cassie Kotyk, in-laws Tymko and  Anne Kotyk, brother Walter.

In keeping with Olga & Nicks wishes cremation has taken place and they will be laid to rest together in the Birchwood Cemetery. Carrying them to their resting places are Eugine & Gerald Kotyk. 

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