Aina Kathleen Sophia Radchenko

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Kathleen Aina Sophia Radchenko (nee Alm), late of Battleford, SK on June 25, 2012 at the age of 84 years in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. She was born on February 20th, 1928 at the farm home of John and Henrietta Alm, south of Battleford. She attended Bjelde Creek School with her sisters and brother, completing Grade 8. Even as a student she was very much involved in all aspects of the family farm as well as caring for her younger brother and sister.

It was on the farm where she met her future husband Cecil who was working there as a labourer. They were married on June 20, 1944, a marriage that was to last for almost 67 years. Cecil and Aina purchased their half section homestead in 1945 from Conrad Lindbloom, an immigrant who had returned to Sweden. Together they built a modern home, raised a family of eleven children and acquired additional land. Mom truly loved the farm. While she never hesitated to help Cecil in the fields, her passion for the farm was most evident in the prize winning garden and yard. She often spent two hours in her garden before the rest of the family was up. The bounty from the garden always provided for the family even after the children had all left home. Her flower garden was equally impressive, often providing bouquets for Sunday worship.

Aina was an accomplished homemaker and in the kitchen Mom reigned supreme. There was never a family gathering that didn’t include a farm raised roast turkey, fresh baked bread and buns and at least three different kinds of pie. As a seamstress she made all types of clothing for herself and her family, with a special talent for making sewing patterns out of newspaper. She was also skilled at embroidery, knitting and crocheting.

When Mom had an extra moment you could find her either at the piano or playing the guitar or accordion. With no formal music lessons she learned to play by ear.

Aina extended these talents into her community. As an Urland Lutheran Church member, she was involved in building the church, helped to maintain the congregation as a member of the Ladies Aid and was one of the church organists for Sunday worship. Her interest in music led to a 20 year membership in the Old Time Dance Club with Cecil. They loved to dance together and she regularly played as part of the band at numerous country dances.

Aina and Cecil loved to travel and particularly enjoyed taking their family on new experiences while visiting with what became a vast network of friends and relatives. Together they explored most of Western Canada. As their children left home, Cecil and Aina were eager to visit Kelowna BC, Germany, Sweden, Norway, California, Australia, Arizona and Yellowknife in the NWT. In retirement, they took cruises out of Florida and California and a ‘just for Mom’ tour to the Grand Ole Opre in Nashville, Tennessee. They also attended numerous concerts of their favorites, Charlie Pride and Tommy Hunter.

Her 84 years were filled with many laughs and lots of love, with her proudest accomplishments being the effort and dedication put into the farm, the strength of her family and her loving marriage with Cecil.

Aina is lovingly remembered by her children: Myles (Phyllis) of Yellowknife, Phyllis (Emil) Nagy of Kelowna, Roland (Carol) of Battleford, Edwin (Vi) of North Battleford, Colin (Lana) of San Diego, Paul (Suzanne) of Edmonton, Joy (Wil) Murphy of Saskatoon and Ian (Heather) of Saskatoon; grandchildren: Travis (Adrienne), Natascha, Ryan, Riley, Larissa, Joshua (Danielle), Ashley (Jeffrey), Brienne, Brennan, Sofia, Madelyn, Russia and Pierce; great grandchildren: Katerina, Isabelle, Kazmir and Lara; sisters Cecilia Radchenko, Unita (Carl) Bleiken and brother Jackie Alm; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Aina was predeceased by her loving husband Cecil and by her children, Sheila, Bernice and John; parents, John and Henrietta Alm.

A Celebration of Aina’s life will be held on Tuesday July 3, 2012 from Zion Lutheran Church, North Battleford with Reverend Sheldon Gattinger officiating. Interment will take place at the Willowmoor Cemetery, south of Battleford. The family has requested that donations in Aina's memory be made to the Alzheimer’s Society of Canada.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Kristeen Thiessen of Sallows & McDonald – Wilson and Zehner Funeral Home. 445-2418