Anne Smysniuk
May 24, 1944 — August 10, 2014
Funeral Prayers
Friday August 15, 2014
7:30 p.m.
Tompkins Funeral Chapel
Funeral Service
Saturday August 16, 2014
11:00 a.m.
Tompkins Funeral Chapel
Anne was born on May 24, 1944, to Fred and Dora Chuchak in Tisdale, Sask. She was raised on the Chuchak family farm with her two brothers, Peter and Paul, near the small community of Parkerview. She attended grade school at White Creek, which was a mile and a half away and, beginning at five years of age, she would walk to and from school in all types of weather. She later graduated from high school in Yorkton, from Sacred Heart Academy, an all-girls school. In 1961, unknown to Anne, her husband Russell drove onto the Chuchak farm to pick up a load of cattle. Russell took an instant shine to Anne, who was 16 years younger. Russell's charismatic personality and persistence quickly won over Anne's heart and, a year later in June of 1962, they were married. This union was blessed with four children. For the next 10 years the family moved many times. Anne was devoted to raising her children and being a housewife. In 1973 the family finally settled on an acreage north of Wadena and she started her first job at the Wadena Co-op, where she worked for 12 years. Anne and Russell bought the corner Esso service station in Kelvington in 1986, which they named RA Travelstop Ltd. Together they owned and operated the station for 11 years. The business was sold in 1997 and they moved back to the acreage north of Wadena. Anne was not yet quite ready to retire and found a job at Candle Lake resort for one summer. After that she worked at the Maple Leaf plant in Battleford for a period of one year. She then found employment at the Wadena Bargain Shop where many will remember her cheerful customer service. Finally, in 2005 Anne retired and in her own words stated, "This is the first time in 44 years Russell and I have spent time together leisurely. Ha, ha, who said we wouldn't make it?" Anne was very creative and had a deep love of nature (except for magpies, of course). She spent her time writing poetry, painting, doing puzzles and reading, especially history books. She enjoyed working outdoors and tending to her garden and flower beds. She loved to share her bounties with family, neighbours and friends. The Saskatchewan Roughriders, curling, hockey and figure skating were a few of the sports she followed and enjoyed most. Her greatest joy was spending time with her family, making sure that everyone was well fed (stuffed) and watered. Anne was very traditional and liked to keep things simple. She did not embrace technology. Entertainment was telling stories, playing board games and playing card games, all the while changing the rules to suit herself and making things more interesting. Anne will always be remembered for her warm and generous heart. She loved when someone would stop by for coffee or call her on the telephone where a "quick" conversation could easily and usually last at least an hour. Anne passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on Sunday, August 10 at a young 70 years of age. Anne was predeceased by her husband Russell Smysniuk; granddaughter Carli Kralkay; parents, Fred and Dora Chuchak; brother Paul Chuchak and sister-in-law Judy Chuchak. She leaves to mourn her four children: Kathy (Eric) Magnusson, Christina (Wayne) Kralkay, Fred (Sara) Smysniuk and Cynthia (Nigel) Kalyniak; grandchildren: Eric Jr. (Buddy), Kerrie, Shania Magnusson; Kaid, Kailey, Karissa Kralkay; Russell, Jarid, Mikayla Smysniuk; Kassidy, Kobi, Kiley Kalyniak; brother Peter Chuchak; nephew Daryl Chuchak; nieces, Jennifer Fisher and Jill Hobbs; and their families.