Evelyn Fay (Oleksevich) Lazeski

Evelyn Lazeski (nee Oleksevich) was born on Feb 26, 1923 in Edmore, Saskatchewan.  She attended Edmore School and then grades nine and ten by correspondence before completing school at Elfros High School.  After graduating, she traveled to Saskatoon to search for work.  She noticed a “Help Wanted” sign in a Pinder’s Drug Store.  She applied and secured a job filling capsules by hand, with powdered medication, and mixing ingredients on sterile glass plates for healing salves.  She loved this interesting work and decided on a career in Pharmacology.  However, her parents had other children to educate, and they asked her to consider teaching.  After attending Teachers’ College (Normal School), she obtained her teaching certificate.  At 19 she began her teaching career and taught at Floral, Kinistino, Mount Hecla and Winthorpe. 
 

In the summer of 1943, her brother Steve introduced her to Steve Lazeski.  After a two-year courtship, they were married in July 1945.  She was very happy to have acquired a wonderful in-law-family, and always included the Lazeski’s in family celebrations.     

Evelyn’s happiest times were when her three sons were born: Richard Steven (Ricky, Rick) in May 1948, Kevin Duane in August 1950, and Johnny David in May 1955.  Nothing gave her more pleasure than being a wife and mother.  She was forever proud of her children’s accomplishments and loved helping their dad in his various endeavors.   

Another exciting time was when her granddaughters, Jolene Crystal and April Dawn were born, and spent part of their summers with her.  Later granddaughter Monika and great granddaughters, Taylor Marie and Morgan Jamie were also a great source of pleasure for her.             

After their marriage, Evelyn and Steve farmed for years before taking on the hotel restaurant in the town of Young, Saskatchewan.  They did very well there for a year but then decided to purchase the North Star Service Station in Foam Lake, Saskatchewan.  It later became a Shell Service Station.  The business also sold farm machinery, parts and delivered fuel to farms.  Their sons were now four, nine and eleven and helped dad at the “station” after school and on weekends while mom did the books.           

Mom also found time to teach Sunday school, Ukrainian classes, lead the church choir and act as leader of a Ukrainian youth group.  This involved organization of concerts, Christmas caroling, and picnics.  Even years later, parents would thank her for keeping their children in positive activities and some former students contacted her to thank her for having a positive impact on their lives. 

In 1968 the family moved to Saskatoon.  Mom took classes at Saskatoon Business College and the U of S and began her second career as a receptionist at the Agriculture Research Station.  She retired at 61.  Mom always immersed herself in a variety of activities like gardening, candlewick quilting, sewing and knitting while she lived in the Saskatoon home that held many great memories.  She went on short car trips in Saskatchewan and Alberta, and flights to Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, British Columbia, Ukraine and Scotland.  She also composed many of the memoriams placed in the newspaper in memory of her son Rick.                     

Evelyn was predeceased by her husband, Steve; son Rick; her parents, Saffron and Katarina; brothers Alexander, Stephen, Victor, Stanley and Marty (in infancy); sisters Emily Marcynuk and Victoria Oleksevich. 

Evelyn is survived by: son Kevin (Karin) and their family, Monika (Bob), Taylor Marie and Morgan Jamie; son John; daughter-in-law Donna, granddaughters Jolene (Burke) and April; and sisters Pauline and Olive.

The Funeral Service for Evelyn was held on Tuesday, August 2, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. at Foam Lake United Church, officiated by Cindy Goodman. She was laid to rest beside her beloved husband, Steve, beneath the gravestone with the inscription she had chosen for him and which she now shares: “LIFE’S WORK WELL DONE”. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Evelyn’s memory may be directed to Ukrainian Canadian Congress (#4-2345 Avenue C North, Saskatoon, SK, S7L 5Z5).  Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to her goddaughter, Gloria Malinoski.