LENA KOTAK

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LENA KOTAK September 14, 1925 July 28, 2016 It is with great sadness we announce Lena Kotak passed away peacefully on July 28, 2016. Lena was born September 14, 1925 in Stornaway, SK to parents Spiridon and Oksana Rose (Zazelenchuk) Babiuk. She attended Doyle and McGillivray schools in Saskatchewan until August 1938 when her family moved to Gilbert Plains, MB. where she finished high school in Brickburn School. She worked four years in Winnipeg at a surgical supply company, then returned to Gilbert Plains due to her mother's illness. She found employment at the Dauphin General Hospital for a few years. On August 10, 1950 Lena married Walter Kotak and they were blessed with three children; Linda, Beverley and Dwayne. After the children left home, Lena worked at the Gilbert Plains Co-op office for two years and as an office clerk for Dr. T. E. Kinash for nine years. Lena was a devoted member of Sts. Volodymyr and Olga Ukrainian Orthodox church where she conducted the church choir for over 40 years. She was also a member of the Ukrainian Women's Association where she was on the executive for many years. Lena enjoyed singing with Canada's National Ukrainian Festival Choir of Dauphin and the Millennium Choir of Roblin. Lena enjoyed company and especially visits by her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Lena loved sewing, embroidery, crafts, cooking and baking, also many hours gardening. She enjoyed traveling and camping with her family and after retirement she travelled with her husband in Canada, US, Europe, Ukraine, Caribbean, South America and England. In 2012 Walter and Lena moved to Winnipeg. On August 10, 2015 they celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary. Lena was predeceased by her parents Spiridon and Oksana Rose, brothers Stanley and Edward, sister Elaine, and brothers-in-law Michael Hladun and Carl Noga. Lena leaves to cherish her memory her loving husband Walter, daughters Linda (Rick Hunter), Beverley (Wolfgang Koch), son Dwayne (Laurie) of Winnipeg, sisters Anne Noga of Grandview MB, Pauline (Jim Miller) of Nevada, brothers William (Lois), John (Nel) of Winnipeg, sisters-in-law Millie and Helen Babiuk, Olive and Rose Kotak of Winnipeg and Nel (John Romano) of Calgary, grandchildren Michael (Nicole) Kotak of Minnedosa, Michele Kotak (Dale Falkingham) and Ryan Kotak of Winnipeg and Tannis Cheadle (Dylan Couper) of Vancouver, three great grandchildren, Lily and Amelia Couper of Vancouver and Aleha Kotak of Minnedosa, plus many nephews, nieces and cousins. A prayer service for Lena will be held on Monday, August 1, 2016 at 7:00 pm at Korban Funeral Chapel with The Very Rev. Archpriest Eugene Maximiuk officiating. Another prayer service will be held on Tuesday, August 2, 2016 at 7:00 pm at Sneath-Strilchuk Funeral Chapel in Dauphin with Rev. Fr. Brent Kuzyk officiating. The funeral service will be held on Wednesday, August 3, 2016 at 10:00 am at St. George's Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Dauphin. Interment will follow at the Chatsworth Cemetery in Gilbert Plains, MB. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, St. George's Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Dauphin and Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral in Winnipeg, or the charity of your choice. The family extends their appreciation to the doctors, nurses and staff at the Victoria General Hospital for making her so comfortable in her last days. Vichnaya Pamyat Memory Eternal KORBAN FUNERAL CHAPEL www.korbanchapel.com 204-956-2193

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 30, 2016