It is with great sadness that the family announces the passing of Joan Shirley (nee Lyke) Shewchuk, 83 years of Lanigan, at Humboldt District Hospital on Saturday, June 6, 2020. Joan was born on September 25, 1936 to Ralph and Charlotte (nee Brown) Lyke at Girvin, SK. She enjoyed growing up on the farm and helped with the daily chores that needed to be accomplished at that time. Joan's least favorite was feeding the turkeys. She obtained her elementary education at Girvin then completed grade 11 and 12 in Saskatoon. Following that she entered the Diploma Nursing Program at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Humboldt and graduated in 1959. After completion of her diploma she began employment in Saskatoon as a nurse working with unwed mothers. It was a few years earlier at a school dance the love of her life Marvin Shewchuk just happened to stop in at Girvin School and swept Joan off her feet. They stayed connected with letters and the odd phone call until they were wed on January 16, 1960 at Bethel United Church in Saskatoon. Joan and Marvin then moved to Uranium City and began their life together. They were blessed with two children Rhoda and Gary. As a family they enjoyed many camping trips around the area. Joan continued to work as a nurse in the local hospital. As parents do, Joan and Marvin were highly active in their children’s lives and were always at every event the children were involved with. In their later years Joan and Marvin loved to get in 5th wheel and travel they were proud of their record of visiting almost every state in the USA including Alaska and Hawaii. In 1980 they moved to Lanigan and continued to live there until present. While in Lanigan Joan worked at the Shop Rite and then later at the Lanigan Day Care until retirement. Having her three grandsons close at hand allowed her to be active in all their activities and be there cheering them on from the side lines. She seldom missed a game of any sport that they played from hockey, basketball, or soccer. In her quiet time, she loved to do puzzles. She spent hours nurturing and manicuring her flower gardens, she especially loved red roses. Another activity that brought her peace were the hummingbirds, she loved watching them and collecting anything to do with them. She was very generous in sharing those items with family and friends. While living in Uranium City she appreciated the Loons and had a special place for them in her heart. In 2010 after Marvin passed away, Joan moved to the condo where she lived very independently until two weeks ago, which included keeping her driving skills keen. Joan had a deep devotion to her faith and highly active at the Knox United Church. She helped in many ways but her first dedicated was to the choir. Joan was an extraordinarily strong lady, emotionally and physically. She showed that strength in many ways especially when she was faced with health obstacles in the past few years, she never gave up. Her commitment to her faith and determination to recover was enormous.
Joan will be lovingly remembered and sadly missed by her daughter Rhoda (James) Hein of Guernsey and family: Wesley Hein (Lindsay) and his son Ryan of Lloydminster, AB: Wade (Carly) Hein of Calgary, AB: and Jeff (Bianca) Hein and children Emma and Oden of Saskatoon; son Gary (Mona) Shewchuk of East Selkirk, MB; sister Helen Wiebe of Saskatoon; sisters-in-law Ramona Lyke of Outlook, Helen Tonhauser of Evensburg, AB and Elanor Shewchuk of Edmonton, AB ; and by numerous nieces and nephews.
Joan was predeceased by her parents Ralph and Charlotte Lyke; husband Marvin Shewchuk; brothers: Howard Lyke (in infancy), Gene (Carman) Butler and Roy Lyke and by members of the Shewchuk family.
The Funeral Service for Joan was held on Friday, August 14, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. at Knox United Church, Lanigan, officiated by Rev. Mitchell Anderson. Interment followed in the Lanigan Public Cemetery. Memorial Donations in Joan’s memory may be directed to Knox United Church (Lanigan), Humboldt District Hospital Foundation, or Cancer Foundation of Saskatchewan.