MAGDALENA (LENA) BODNAR

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MAGDALENA (LENA) BODNAR It is with deep sadness we announce the sudden passing of our Mother and Baba, on Saturday, March 22, 2003 at Riverview Health Centre, at the age of 93. Her first husband Bill Romaniuk; her son Ernie Romaniuk; her second husband Bill Bodnar; her parents and all of her siblings predeceased Lena. Left to mourn her passing are her daughters, Ellen Basford and Vi Groulx (Herb) her grandchildren, Kate, Bromley, Monty, Kreg, Lyle, Brian and Kim; thirteen great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren, and many cousins, nieces and nephews. Lena was born near Rhein, SK on August 28, 1909. Her parents Alexia and Paraskieva Boychuk immigrated from Chernivtsi, Ukraine in 1899, part of the great wave of Ukrainian farmers who came to settle the Prairies. She was the eighth of fourteen children and was the last surviving member of that pioneer family. Lena married Bill Romaniuk in 1927 and they moved to the bustling city of Moose Jaw. By 1930 they had started farming near Rhein. She was a hard working and resourceful farmwoman until they moved to Kamsack in 1957. Bills untimely death in 1959 due to a farming accident changed Lenas life plans but despite this setback she continued to be involved in her community and church. She sang in the choir and was president of the ladies auxiliary for many years. In 1963 she married, as we say, her second Bill, Bill Bodnar and they ranched cattle near Duck Mountain Park until his death in 1978. Throughout those times she was a wise grandmother, a successful gardener, an excellent cook and always very creative. She enjoyed dancing and social occasions and wore the latest fashions with style. In 1985, at the age of 76, Lena and Vi travelled to the Ukraine for the first time to visit relatives still living in the Chernivtsi area. This significant voyage with its connection to family and Ukraine was fondly remembered by Lena. The last seven years of her life were spent in Riverview Health Centre and the family wish to thank the many staff of CDI and E2 that cared for Lena over that time for their patience and concern. Lena was a strong, practical woman with lots of spirit all her days and possessed a deep love of life to the end. She will be deeply missed and always remembered. With Lenas passing, so passes our direct connection to a different era and style of life. A funeral service followed by interment will be held in Kamsack, SK on Saturday, March 29 at 10:30 a.m. at Andrychuks Funeral Home, Pastor Steven Ruten officiating. Flowers are gratefully declined with donations directed to Oceredok, Ukrainian Cultural and Educational Centre in Winnipeg. LECLAIRE BROTHERS in care of arrangements. 775-2220

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 26, 2003