Joseph Lawrek

He was predeceased by his parents, Fred and Lena, his siblings: Peter, Bill, John, Frank, Mary, Kay, Anne, Elaine, a brother, John, in infancy, and in-laws on both sides of the family.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Olga, daughter Janet and husband Barry, grandchildren Kyle (Cass) and Brett (Jonathan) and one great grandchild, Behric. He is also survived by his brother Fred (Marlene) and sister-in-law, Grace Stecyk, as well as many nieces and nephews and relatives.

Joe was born on the farm northeast of Dysart on March 12, 1926. He attended Sambor, Gardiner and Dysart schools up until Grade 11 when his help was needed on the farm instead. He worked in a number of areas in the winters: a saw mill, a cannery, a dairy farm, a mine and a bush camp. He eventually settled into farming where his passion remained until the end. Joe married Olga Stecyk on October 21, 1951. They farmed northeast of Dysart with a mixed operation of grain as well as cattle, chickens and pigs. You would often find Joe in the garage tinkering, welding or simply fixing something. Come winter time you would find him on the tractor and blade clearing the roads and the yard to his high standards. Many of his nieces and nephews have fond memories of the summer holidays spent at the farm. There was always plenty of work to do but Joe and Olga found time to enjoy visiting with neighbors and all the card games that went with it. Joe served on numerous boards: the McDonald Hills Telephone Company, the Holy Eucharist Ukrainian Catholic Church, the Sambor School Board, Sask Wheat Pool, the Dysart Co-op, Vel-Tek Manufacturing and the Dysart North Community Well. It was a change of life when Janet and Barry moved back from Victoria and started farming with them. He was very proud of his two grandchildren and had the pleasure of watching them grow up in the same yard. He instilled his love of animals in all of us as many pets came and went.

At Joe’s request a public graveside service will be held at the St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Cemetery on Tuesday, November 17th at 11:00 a.m. with Father Peter Pidskalny officiating, followed by a lunch at the Roman Catholic Church basement in Dysart.

If friends so desire contributions may be made to the St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Cemetery Fund c/o Greg Stecyk Box 205 Dysart, SK. S0G1H0 or to the Regina Humane Society, Box 3143, Regina S4P 3G7 as tokens of remembrance.

Arrangements in care of Tubman Cremation and Funeral services (1-800-667-8962)