Jack Ukrainetz

It is with great sorrow, that we the family of Jack Ukrainetz of Erwood announce his peaceful passing on September 15, 2016. Jacob “Jack” Ukrainetz was born on May 30, 1932 to Russian immigrants Ephim and Eudokia, two miles north east of Erwood on the homestead.  Although growing up during the depression and the Second World War posed hardships, their family had a strong faith in God and worked together to overcome these challenges.  Jack excelled in school, even though English was a new language, going on to further educate himself in diesel mechanics.  He worked at different occupations across the country from Vancouver to Ontario such as Canada Customs, The Bay, Eatons, training as a Steam Engineer as well as working at Kitamat, BC with a few of the other local Erwood boys.  Even though he worked away from home in the winter, it was his passion to return home each spring to farm with his father and in later years with his brother Joe. In July of 1957, Jack married Audrey Melnychuk and they were blessed with four children.  The next years were a whirlwind of activity between raising a family, being active in their church, farming, and being a counsellor for the LID, later the RM.  He was very proud of his Russian heritage, making two trips back to the Old Country.  In 1987, Jack and Audrey moved to LaRonge where they bought a small motel.  They met and befriended many people from all parts of the country over the next number of years.  Jack’s heart was still back on the farm so in 1996, they sold the motel and moved back to Erwood.  Shortly thereafter Kerry and his family also moved back home to farm with them.  Jack and Kerry worked together on the farm, ran water trucks and trapped in the winter as well as travelled to the States promoting their lodge, and ran the fishing lodge in the summer.  Jack and Audrey were loving and caring parents, who gave unselfishly and always put their children first.  When grandchildren started to arrive, the sun rose and set on them!  Sadly, Audrey passed away suddenly in 2004.  Jack was lonely at first adjusting to a new way of life but with many of his children and grandchildren close by he was always kept busy and had someone to visit with.  In the past ten years, Jack began to experience a few health issues but always seemed to bounce back and continue to enjoy life.  This past Easter Sunday, he had a third stroke and although he fought hard, his health slowly failed.  His faith never faltered, for he knew this bump in the road was but a second in comparison to Eternity with God!  On the morning of September 15, while the dew was still on the fields, God called Jack to his Heavenly reward to be reunited with Audrey and all of his many loved ones, family and friends.  Jack will be lovingly remembered and deeply missed by his three daughters, one son, and ten grandchildren: Carol (Don) Siki and children Brandon and Brandt; Kerry (Kamillia) Ukrainetz and children Nikota, Nikea, and Hunter; Sandi (Ray) Shevernoha and children Chase and Cruz; and Sheri (Ken) Geisbrecht and children Dillon, Natasha and Roman; three brothers and one sister:  Paul Ukrainetz, Pauline (Dave) Besharah, Joseph (Phyllis) Ukrainetz and Johnny (Cathy) Ukrainetz; sisters-in-law Rena Ukrainetz and Marilyn Melnychuk and numerous nieces and nephews.  Jack was predeceased by his parents Ephim and Eudokia Ukrainetz; wife Audrey Ukrainetz; two brothers and one sister:  Harry Ukrainetz, Sonia Ukrainetz and Daniel Ukrainetz; sister-in-law Connie Ukrainetz and brother-in-law Gerald Melnychuk.  The Funeral Service for Jack was held on Wednesday, September 21, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. from the Erwood Church of God, officiated by Pastor Connie Espenant.  Jack was laid to rest in the Erwood Community Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Erwood Church of God or the Canadian Bible Society. 

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