Walter Wowchuk

Walter Wowchuk

1934 – 2019

It is with great sadness we announce the passing Walter, who left us on Thursday, September12, 2019 at the age of 85.

Walter was born March 15, 1934. He was born in Cowan, Manitoba on the family farm. He was the youngest of four siblings; Jean, Anne, Alec, and Walter.

He attended the Cowan West School until Grade 8. There was one teacher by the name of Mike who gave Walter special privileges because he was sweet on Walter’s cousin, Mary. Walter said that he doesn’t know how he passed his grade that year because he spent most of the time in the teacherage cooking meals and sweeping the floors for the teacher. Perhaps this is the case of its not what you know but who you know. After grade school he went to high school in Pine River, Manitoba. He finished Grade 11. Money was scarce, so he had to quit.

He ventured off to Thunder Bay and worked at a lumber yard. He worked long enough to buy a brand- new car. If I remember correctly, he paid $2,000.00 for it. Then he came back home. In the mid-1950s he left for the north, mining in Thompson, Manitoba. Thompson wasn’t even a town yet, just tents. They had a base camp and roughing it. He also worked as a cook for his cousin Peter in a bush logging camp. Lots of stories about that cooking experience.

On October 15, 1960 he married the love of his life, Olga Blazenko. They moved to Lynn Lake, Manitoba and he worked in the mine. After three years he wanted to try his hand at farming and ranching. He really enjoyed his cattle. He treated them like they were special, and they knew it. To check his herd, he would go to the pasture and call out “Come on cows” and they would come running out of the bush and surround him.

They have one son, Ted.

Walter was good at whatever he did. He could fix anything, was a good carpenter, an electrician, and a mechanic. He was also a very good cook – thanks to his teacher.

He loved hunting, picking mushrooms using his quad to seek out the secret spots and all the outdoorsy events. He also loved cutting firewood.

He loved company. He enjoyed them dropping in at any time. He would drop whatever he was doing to visit with his friends. His absolute favourite was listening to the old-time music on the radio every weekend in his garage. There, all his worries and concerns were left behind.

Walter is survived by his wife, Olga of 58 years; son, Ted; sister, Anne; sister in laws, Stella (Steve) Wowchuk, and Ann Chunick; and brother in law Tony (Jeanneau) Blazenko,

He was predeceased by his parents, John and Mary (Plustwa) Wowchuk; brother, Alec; sisters and brother in laws, Jean (Edward) Kereluk, Mary (August) Furdievich, and Dave Chunick; brother in law, John Dzuirdz; in laws, John and Sophie (Boyechko).

He will be greatly missed and forever in our hearts.

Prayers were held on Friday, September 20, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. from the Chapel of Swan Valley Funeral Services, Swan River, Manitoba. The funeral service was held from the Holy Ghost Ukrainian Catholic Church, Cowan, Manitoba on Saturday, September 21, 2019 at 10:30 a.m. with Father Warren Dungen officiating. Interment followed in the Cowan Community Cemetery, Cowan, Manitoba

Should friends so desire, donations in Walter’s memory may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or to a charity of one’s choice.

Swan Valley Funeral Services

363 Kelsey Trail, Swan River, Manitoba

204-734-5775  www.swanvalleyfuneralservices.com

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