Elsie MERKO

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MERKO: It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, Elsie Merko, age 95 years formerly of Ethelbert, at Rideau Park Personal Care Home, Brandon MB on Saturday, April 26, 2014. Left to cherish her memory are her son, Alfred, daughter-in-law Joan of Brandon, MB. Her two grandsons, Steve (wife, Carla) of Edmonton, AB and Dave (wife, Natasha) of Saskatoon, SK. Sister-in-law, Mary Batryn of Regina, SK, and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, Peter and Motryna Batryn (Wozniuk); husband, Peter; son, Hilary; sisters, Eleanor, Mary, Anne, Doris; brothers, William, John, Wasyl and Andrew. Elsie was born in Venlaw, MB in the RM of Gilbert Plains on November 3, 1918. She attended Kolomyja School and helped on the family farm. After her schooling she worked in the Gilbert Plains and Dauphin areas as a housekeeper and waitress, later moving to Toronto to join her sisters and worked at the British American Oil Co. After a short stay in Toronto, she happily returned home to marry her sweetheart, Peter Merko of Ethelbert. They settled on the Merko homestead in the Kulish School District near Ethelbert where they farmed for 36 years. She had two sons, Hilary and Alfred. Her oldest son, Hilary, was very ill as a child and died at the age of 10. Her husband Peter became ill in 1976 and they had to sell the family farm and move to Ethelbert. While living in Ethelbert, Elsie worked for homecare as well as looked after her ailing husband. Peter passed away in 1986. She always managed to plant a huge garden, which was the envy of many neighbors. She loved to share the produce with her family and friends. She was a terrific cook. Her cabbage rolls and perogies were always in demand and she was always baking for some function at the church or hall. Elsie was very involved with the Church. She took great pride in being a member of the Kulish Ukrainian Catholic Church, Sts. Peter & Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church in Ethelbert as well as being a member of the Ukrainian Catholic Women’s League in Ethelbert. She loved her grandsons, Steve and Dave, very much and looked forward to having them come and stay with her for a few weeks in the summer time. They became great friends and have a lot of great stories to tell about their Baba and the things they did together.In September 2009, Elsie fell in her garden and broke her hip. As a result, she was never able to return to her house and garden again. After a long recovery in the Dauphin Hospital she moved into Sunnyside Lodge in Ethelbert. She lived there until 2011 when she moved to the Rideau Park Personal Care Home in Brandon, to be closer to her family. Elsie was happy at Rideau Park and the staff enjoyed her quick wit and humor. She always kept them on their toes. Prayers will be offered on Thursday, May 1, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. from the Sneath-Strilchuk Funeral Chapel in Dauphin. Funeral Liturgy will be held on Friday, May 2, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. from the Sts. Peter & Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church in Ethelbert, with Rev. Fr. Yaroslav Strukhlyak officiating. Interment will follow in the Sts. Peter & Paul Ukrainian Catholic Parish Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Steve Merko, Dave Merko, Jim Renwick, Bill Kalinowich, Andy Seniuk and Don Fyk. Sneath-Strilchuk Funeral Services Dauphin, Manitoba, (204) 638-4110. www.sneathstrilchuk.com

As published in Brandon Sun on Apr 30, 2014