Mrs. Ann Antoniuk, beloved wife of the late, Metro Antoniuk, of the Sturgis District, passed away on Friday, January, 31, 2025. She was 85 years of age.
Ann Annette Antoniuk was born on January 15, 1940 to John and Ledona Michaluk on a farm 4 miles N.E. of Sturgis, SK. In her growing up years she would have helped with various chores like working in the big garden to help her mom, planting, weeding, hilling, hoeing and harvesting all kinds of vegetables for summer meals and preserving the rest for winter. There were over 100 chickens to feed including those hatched from clucking hens and collecting of eggs. There were pigs to slop, but no mowing as the cattle grazed in the enclosed yard. She was probably tasked with carrying lunch in the afternoon for her dad out in the field. She learned which were the right mushrooms to pick, 2 kinds of morels in the spring and 2 types of fall popinki in September. She told of how in the summer she would spend entire days away from the yard picking and eating all kinds of wild berries that grew profusely; wild raspberries, strawberries, chokecherries, pin cherries, blueberries and hazelnuts. Many happy childhood days were a given, but she relayed the time she fell out of a big tree from fairly high up and though she never got hurt she did thump her head quite hard. On a lighter side she told a story of skipping school. They rode the school bus and had to walk almost a half mile to catch it at a main grid road, but she and brother Ed chose to hide in the woods where they spent the day playing and eating their lunch. When they saw the bus go past at the end of the day, they made their way home as innocent as you please. Silly winter fun (again with Ed) was running barefoot out the door on the shoveled path just to sit in the snow for as long as they could before racing back indoors again. Horses were used around the farm and to travel into town. Ann wasn’t for horses, so she never rode, but she was a fan of the Elizabeth Taylor movie Star because of her beautiful blue eyes and raven hair.
She attended Kopje Country School to which she had to walk to until grade 8, she then went to Sturgis Composite High School until grade 10. If the weather was stormy in the winter, she would stay overnight in town at Bob Reagan’s home.
Ann is oldest of 5 siblings, Ed, Ron, Lorraine and Sandra. Ann and Metro met at a local function and thought upon seeing him to be even better looking than his younger brother whom she had met first. She had the occasion to meet Metro’s dad John at a country church. On July 29, 1960 Ann and Metro married, settling on their homestead 11 miles north of Sturgis, Metro worked out for a while, but soon decided to settle down to farm fulltime. Ann and Metro were blessed with five children, Darcy, born1961, Darlene in 1963, Terry in 1966, Richard in 1969 and Trent in1971.
They raised beef cattle and grain farmed. They milked 7 – 9 cows at any given time and later filled the cream quota program. Ann too kept over 100 chickens and turkeys, A big event in Ann’s life was the move from the homestead to a new yard and new house in 1970 - 1971. Still cooking and cleaning amidst cupboards 小蓝视频 built, flooring 小蓝视频 laid, closets, etc. 小蓝视频 built by Metro. In the mid ‘80’s Ann took on the major task of painting the exterior of the home all by herself with a paint brush and a step ladder. As the land was broke and trees were piled into windrows, there were sticks and stones to be picked by hand. Ann was an excellent cook, nothing could compare to her young creamed chicken with young fresh potatoes in cream and dill, her sweet doughnuts were another favourite. Celebrating Ukrainian Christmas on the eve of January 6 meant a huge 12 course traditional meal with Kolach bread. Metro made sure there were plenty of fun occasions as well; there were day trips to lakes in the summers, and taking in the Sturgis Sports Day and Rodeo. The family would gather around the car at noon to enjoy the homemade meal consisting of fried shake-n-bake chicken, salads, buns, refreshments and cold watermelon from a packed picnic lunch. There were dances, weddings family reunions in1993, 2002, and 2010. In 1963 was a trip to Vancouver Island to visit sister-in-law Dora and husband Mike and an October trip one fall in the mid ‘70’s after the harvest was done. They enjoyed the Squaw Lake Jamboree, after the passing of Metro, Ann continued attending the Jamboree after Metro’s passing. Ann was musical, playing the guitar and singing and even playing “Dolly Parton” at the Mushers’ Rendezvous Talent show. She also was teaching herself to play the fiddle and took up piano as if she had taken lesson all her life. She also enjoyed playing Bingo. Ann retained her health and stamina into her golden years.
Ann was predeceased by her parents John and Ledona Michaluk, her loving husband, Metro and brother, Ed. She is survived by her children, Darcy, Darlene (Don)Holowachuk, Terry (partner Karen), Richard, and Trent (Carlene); grandchildren, Chas, Austin (Jamie), Shawn (partner Carmalina), Jessica (Kolt) Dylan, Kyla (Craig), and Eden; and great-grandchildren, Carsen, Ryan and Isabelle.
A memorial service was held on June 18, 2025, at Grace United Church, Sturgis, SK with Rev David Mugadzi officiating. Interment at the Green Leaf Cemetery followed with Chas Holowachuk, Austin Holowachuk, Shawn Holowachuk, Dylan Antoniuk, and Ryan Holowachuk serving as urn bearers. Honorary Urn Bearers were Jessica Antoniuk, Kyla Galiz, Eden Antoniuk and Isabelle Holowachuk. Memorials in memory of Ann may be made to
Green Leaf Cemetery (Box 1206, Preeceville, SK, S0A 3B0) as gifts of remembrance. Condolences can be sent to the family by visiting Ann’s tribute page at preecevillefuneralhome.com. Arrangements were entrusted to Preeceville Funeral Home.
