Obituary of Walter Wintonyk
Passed away peacefully at the Yorkton SK and District Nursing Home on Thursday, May 4, 2023 at the age of 93 years.
Walter is survived by his beloved wife, Mary after a blessed 70 years of marriage celebrated in August of 2022, two sons, daughters-in-law and grandchildren, Rick (Ingrid) Wintonyk and their children Grayden and Callen of Winnipeg MB, Rob (Karen) Wintonyk and their children Rebecca and Isabella of Kitchener ON, and former daughter-in-law Elaine (Arnold) Hornung of Grayson and her sons Jesse of Yorkton and Jody (Crystal) Wintonyk of Regina. Also survived by his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law George (Lorraine) Flunder and Rodney (Adelia) Flunder all of Yorkton, their families and the families of his siblings as he is the last surviving of his immediate family.
Walter was predeceased by his son Barry in 2013, his parents Demetrius “Metro” (Nettie nee Perepeluk) and his sisters and brothers Mary (John) Rubiletz, Mike (Margorie) Wintonyk, Kay (Bill) Mayes, Anne (Andrew) Antony and Ed (Shirley) Wintonyk.
Walter was born in Calder Saskatchewan November 23, 1929, and was raised on the farm near Wroxton Sk. Mary and Walter were married August 3, 1952, and lived on the farm for a few years, later moving to Yorkton, Saltcoats, Bredenbury and finally settled in Churchbridge to raise their family. In his early years in addition to farming, Walter gained employment driving transport truck and later began working at IMC (Mosaic) potash mine in Esterhazy where he retired on staff as a supervisor. Throughout all those years, his passion and love of farming remained strong as he planted crops yearly working the fields on his days away from work. He often joked that he worked at the mine to support his farming habits. Churchbridge quickly became home as he and Mary made many good friends, and they enjoyed volunteering for the Lion’s club and both became involved in the Catholic Church Community in Churchbridge often participating as Lay Presiders. Another passion became the local town council and later Walter became Mayor of Churchbridge for several years. Together with Mary, they cherished their time working with Saskatchewan Housing especially helping the local seniors in rental housing. In their more senior retirement years, they moved to Yorkton and enjoyed their friendships made at their condo and later the retirement homes they lived in. Aging gracefully and as the needs for care increased due to dementia, we are all thankful they were able to transfer to long term care at the Yorkton and District Nursing Home in Country Meadows.
The family would like to thank all the staff of Country Meadows as well as Dr. Andy Van Heerden for their personal attention, care and hard work navigating all the challenges in today’s health care especially following the Covid outbreak. Our most sincere thanks are extended to our sister-in-law Elaine and our aunts, uncles and their families, Lorraine and George Flunder and Adelia and Rodney Flunder. They helped Mary and Walter in every way from their relocation to Yorkton when selling their home in Churchbridge to all their transitions in senior care through the retirement homes and finally the nursing home. Words cannot convey our thanks for the love and support shown to our parents. Finally, we remain thankful for Walter and Mary’s enduring faith which carried them through challenging times and carries us all now. In the comforting words of our mom, “everything is in God’s hands.”
A prayer service and a time to visit with the family will be held at St. Gerard Roman Catholic Church, 125 - 3rd Ave N, Yorkton SK on Thursday, May 11, 2023 at 7:00 pm. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Gerard Church on Friday, May 12 at 11:00 am. The Funeral Mass will be livestreamed and a link is available by clicking here.
Immediately following the Mass, interment will take place in Yorkton Memorial Gardens followed by a reception and time to visit with the family in the Parish Hall of the church.
If friends so desire, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Association, the Alzheimer’s Society or a charity of one’s choice. Arrangements in care of Bailey’s funeral home, Yorkton.