Mary Kulyk

Private Service will be held at Mary's request.

Mary was born on August 25, 1928, the third eldest in a family of five daughters and three sons born to William and Julia (Tkachuk) Michaluk on the family farm northwest of Buchanan, Sask. She attended the Olesha School and following her schooling entered the work world and eventually made her way to Wadena. She not only found employment but also met her future husband Donald Kulyk, youngest son of Wm. John and Mary (Haskey) Kulyk.
Following their marriage on October 21, 1951, they took up residence and developed a farmstead on NW 13-34-13 W2nd, three miles east of Wadena. Mary took an equal and active part in the farming operation. Harvest was her favorite time of the year. She trucked most of the grain from the field to the bins. She was good at her job - the combine never sat idle waiting for her return and, even more amazing, somehow she found the time to bring a home-cooked meal, dessert included, to the field for supper which was always served tailgate style. It was a harvest tradition and she loved it.
Mary loved nature. She fed birds during the winter and could spend hours watching the antics of the various species as they interacted at the feeders. And yes, even the sparrows were welcome.
When the Wadena Horticultural Society was organized in 1961, she was one of the charter members. She enjoyed the friendships formed, the knowledge gained, and the various activities of the organization. She especially enjoyed the friendly competition of the annual horticultural shows each August. She served on the executive when asked to and continued her membership until the organization disbanded.
One day Mary decided she required a small greenhouse, reasoning her tomato seedlings would grow better there than on the windowsills in the house. That first little greenhouse brought her much pleasure. One morning at breakfast she announced she was going into the bedding plant business. But what would she name her new venture? She looked out the dining room window, saw the sun rising in the east and decided the name will be SunRise Greenhouse. She took pride in the quality of her plants and her business flourished. She valued her customers and many lasting friendships were made talking plants.
Mary's other passion was the Wadena Farmer's Market. She spearheaded the idea after visiting markets in other towns and cities. She along with a group with similar interests formed the Wadena Market in 1979. She participated actively for nearly thirty years. She sold plants, ceramics and knitting but will be remembered best for her homemade jams and jellies.
Following the passing of her husband Donald in December 2001, Mary relocated into the town of Wadena in the summer of 2002. She always said she found the perfect location on the corner of Kennedy and 6th. With the golf course to the east and the high school to the north there was never a dull moment. It was the neighbors, however, that impressed her the most. She enjoyed playing cards (canasta and whist) and would never pass up the opportunity to play '31' (the more players the better since the pot would be bigger in the end and hopefully she'd be the winner). Mary would never turn down a chance to visit the casino. She always said she didn't go to win, she went to have fun but it seemed lady luck always tagged along with her.
After suffering a devastating head injury in February 2010, Mary's life changed drastically. She lost much of her independence but with the help of Home Care was able to return to her home for another four years. In April 2014 she became a resident of Pleasant View Care Home where she was lovingly cared for till her passing on the early evening of April 21, freeing herself from the devastating effects of dementia.
Mary was predeceased by her husband Donald (2001); her parents, William (1992) and Julia (1996) Michaluk; in-laws, Wm. J. (1948) and Mary (1976) Kulyk; sister Stella (1934); brothers, Joe (1961) and Mike (Lucy, deceased) (1962); sister Ann (2003); as well as three brothers-in-law and their wives: John (Louise), Ted (Ann) and Bill (Hedvie) Kulyk.
She is survived by her son William of Wadena; sisters, Jennie (Paul, deceased) of Saskatoon and Olga (George, deceased) of Winnipeg; brother John (Anne) of Preeceville; brother-in-law Dan Zazula of Wadena; several nephews and nieces as well as great- and great, great- nephews and -nieces; her aunt Sophie Sushetski of Yorkton and several cousins.