Elaine Lukan

Born February 25, 1934 in the height of the Great Depression on the family farm at Sinnett, Saskatchewan, Elaine was the fourth of 13 children of John and Ethel (Cox) Koberinski.

After graduating from high school, Elaine studied nursing at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Humboldt, where she worked for some 40 years, primarily in the maternity department. While in training, she met the love of her life Urban Lukan on a blind date. The two were married on June 4, 1957 at St. Ignatius Catholic Church in Sinnett before settling in Humboldt, SK, where Urban worked as a printer, layout artist and cartoonist for the Humboldt Journal.

Elaine and Urban lived all their lives in Humboldt, raising six children and participating in the life of the community and as active members of St. Augustine Parish. The arrival of grandchildren brought great joy and “Nana and Papa” doted on all 16 of their grandkids. Urban’s death in 2012 was a great blow to Elaine – she never ceased missing him.

For the past three years Elaine has lived primarily in Saskatoon, including spending her final few months in an enhanced living suite at the Franklin on 24th. Elaine excelled at knitting, which she taught to the next generation, including through 4-H classes for a number of years. A great cook and an avid reader, she also tried her hand at pottery and was a dedicated photographer, especially when it came to chronicling family life. In her retirement she embraced the connection and entertainment provided by computers and her iPad, collecting music and doing puzzles.

A determined (some might say stubborn!) person, Elaine faced many health challenges over the years, never losing any battle until the final diagnosis of brain cancer in March 2023.

Elaine is survived by her six children Kiply (Tim) Lukan Yaworski of Saskatoon, Ruth Norelius of Saskatoon, Keith (Kim) Lukan of Mossbank, Mark (Allice) Lukan of Yorkton, Jennifer (Curtis) Waldner of Moose Jaw, and Marcy (Scott) Giddings of Endeavour; by her 16 grandchildren Kaitlyn (Lindsay), Nathan (Jessica), Jacob (Monica), Anna, Alexandra (Alex), Jocelyn (Josh), Jack, Aniken, Noah, Rachel, Jordan, Luke, Sarah (Kyle), Megan, Sydney, and Claire; and by her four great-grandchildren Eleanor, Piper, Ezra, and Karter. She is also survived by her siblings Shirley Barnes, Sheila (Greg) Erikson, Art (Marge) Koberinski, Ed (Rose) Koberinski, Keith (Linda) Koberinski, Harold (Ardyth) Koberinski, Ronald (Nola) Koberinski, and Daniel (Marj) Koberinski; by sisters-in-law Bernadette Albers, Veronica (Doug) Dagenais, Angeline (Ed) Fortin, and Geraldine McCann, and many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her parents John and Ethel Koberinski and by Urban’s parents, Frank and Gertrude Lukan, by her brothers Neil (in infancy), Raymond and Jack Koberinski, and by her sister Frances Lessmeister; as well as by in-laws Kerry Norelius, Albert Lessmeister, Lorne Barnes, Carol Koberinski, JoAnne Haycock, Clifford Albers, Jim and Genevieve Bonin, Ed Lang, Chuck McCann and by nephews Arthur Koberinski, Gregory Koberinski, and Jeffrey Lang.

The family is grateful to the staff of the Franklin on 24th, and all the health care providers and support staff at Royal University Hospital, and most especially, everyone at the Hospice at Glengarda, as well as spiritual care providers and chaplains for their compassion and care.

Vigil of Prayer will be at 7:00 p.m. on Friday April 21, 2023 and the Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday April 22, 2023 with both celebrations held at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 114 Kingsmere Place, Saskatoon (take the Rock of Ages Church entrance on Kingsmere Drive), with Fr. Joseph Salihu presiding. Rite of Committal will take place at around 2:30 p.m. Saturday, April 22 at St. Augustine Cemetery in Humboldt, SK, with Fr. Colin Roy presiding. The funeral will be livestreamed at: https://www.youtube.com/live/9EFxvpixHQM?feature=share

Arrangements entrusted to Travis Minor.