In Loving Memory of

Beverly Straker

MEMORIAL SERVICE

Saturday, March 9, 2019

1:30 p.m.

Punnichy Community Hall

Punnichy, SK

In lieu of flowers, donation may be made to the Kinsmen Telemiracle Foundation 2217C Hanselman Court Saskatoon, SK  S7L 6A8.

https://www.telemiracle.com/html/Ways-To-Help/donate-now/index.cfm

Beverly Straker was born Sept 12, 1945 in Prince Albert, SK to Bohdan (Buck) and Jean Borsa.  She grew up on the family farm in Smoky Burn, SK with her sister Joyce and brothers, Doug and Andy. She took her elementary schooling there at the rural schoolhouse until grade 8 then completed high school in Carrot River, SK graduating in 1963. After high school she studied at the University of Saskatchewan for one year, then moved to the Saskatoon Business College where she graduated in 1965. Afterwards she found employment in Regina working there for two years. During this time, she met her future husband, Glen Straker marrying him May 18, 1968 in Carrot River.  They moved to Saskatoon where Glen was employed, and Bev found work at the Western Producer in the marketing department. In 1970 Bev and Glen moved to Punnichy, SK and began managing the hotel and eventually became sole proprietors for many years.  They purchased land and moved to a farmyard near Punnichy in April 1973 where they raised their 3 children; Jason, Jeff and Jill. They continued living on the farm to the present day.

Throughout her years Beverly maintained a strong love of music.  She sang with the district ladies’ choir, called "Friends".  2019 would mark the 35th year of that ensemble being together. Having studied piano as a child, in 1998 at the age of 52 she picked up where she left off and began studying again, completing her grade 8 piano and grade 2 theory passing her exams on her first try!  Following that she decided to learn the fiddle and took two years of instruction.  A group of fiddle-playing friends emerged in the Punnichy area, calling themselves "belles with bows" and they entertained at various functions around the community and regularly at the special care home in nearby Raymore SK.  Bev was also the organist at Punnichy United Church for 25 years until it’s closing in 2002.

She worked for several years as a Teachers Assistant in Punnichy, eventually transferring to the George Gordon Education Centre on the Gordon Reserve south of Punnichy.  Retiring in 2014 she worked off and on as a substitute teacher sharing her love of music with the students at that same school for the past few years.

With a large farm yard Bev always kept the grass cut and yard looking beautiful.  Her large garden was a particular point of pride with vegetables being delivered to her kids through summer and fall.  She loved picking Saskatoon berries and making jams and pies.  An excellent cook, she always continued to share her Ukrainian heritage with family and community through making perogies, cabbage rolls, kutya and other dishes.  She was an avid golfer for many years through the warm summer months and in winter spent many years curling at the Punnichy Curling Club.  She wrote in her submission to the Carrot River history book that some of her happiest times were when her kids were all at home, or when she got to go visit them.  Beverly loved her family and was so very proud of her three children and three grandchildren.

Beverly is survived by her husband Glen Straker, daughter Jill Straker of Regina, SK, sons Jason (Joni) Straker of Delisle, SK and Jeffery Straker of Regina, SK, three grandchildren Jacob, Jonathan and Piper, mother Jean Borsa of Carrot River, SK, sister Joyce (Murray) Fox of Calgary, AB, brothers Doug (Alice) Borsa of Martensville, SK and Andy (Elva) Borsa of Carrot River, SK, sister-in-law Pat Hogberg, nee Straker of Calgary, AB and numerous nieces and nephews along with their families.

She was predeceased by her father Bohdan (Buck) Borsa, mother-in-law Josephine Straker, father-in-law Harold Straker and brother-in-law George Hogberg.