Victor Kriwokon

Victor Kriwokon was born June 7, 1927 at the SW 22-9-23 W 3rd in the Kealey Springs District the 7th child of 8 to Rod & Vera Kriwokon. He went to school at Black Hills School for 3 years, they were unable to get a teacher so he finished his schooling at Kealey Springs School. He would say he had one day of grade nine, because the teacher quit. So, he decided to stay home and farm with his dad. He said he thought farming was going to be easier than walking to school bare foot up hill both ways. When he started helping on the farm the land was plowed with 6 horses abreast. In 1951 they bought their own threshing machine, there was no more waiting for a threshing crew to come. The threshing machine still stands with pride on the farm.

In the spring of 1952, he met his first love Lea Maxine Johnson. They were married July 25, 1952. He would say, we had our ups and downs, but mostly ups. They started their family in 1953 when Victoria was born on July 9, then Kevin came along on April 15, 1955.

Years passed quickly Vicky got married and Kevin stayed home to farm and ranch with his dad. Victor Held the position of secretary for the Bear Creek Telephone Company from 1952 until 1977 at which time Sask Telephone took over.

He held a position of representation for the local improvement district #926 for 2 terms. He was an active Elks member for 53 years during that time held position of Exalted Ruler, District Deputy, and Esquire. He was very proud and honored to be a member of the Elks.

He worked at the Maple Creek Action Ring from 1976 until 1993. At one of the yearling sales the yearlings came charging into the ring all around him knocking him over there wasn’t one yearling that stepped on him “my lucky day”, he said. Another time he tried to get out of the way of a wild cow, she butted him in the behind and threw him right over the rail into the buyer’s lap, not a scratch, didn’t even knock the phones off the cradles. He couldn’t understand why Vicky almost never came to the cattle sales.

During this time, he farmed and ranched on the homestead with his son Kevin sharing many good memories and great times together.

On April 13, 1985 tragedy struck our family, his beloved wife Lea passed away as a result of a car accident.

Kevin married Beth Hobbs in 1987, Victor decided it was time for him to hand the reins to Kevin. He moved to Maple Creek when he married Irene Stevens (Kleinknecht) in 1987.

Victor loved his flowers, as soon as the crocuses poked their heads out of the ground there would be a pretty little bouquet on the kitchen table. Vicky, Harvey and Victor went for one of their drives this spring and came across a field of flowers and it was time to stop and pick shooting stars and grandfather beards dawned this bouquet. Now roses, he had roses for Irene on her birthday and any other excuse he could find to have roses around. Many people around would receive a spring bouquet of pussy willows every spring. Morning glories would grow wherever he wanted them to be. He loved his vegetable garden. Then came the giant sunflowers and I mean GIANT.

Bonfires and wiener roasts, first you would need a fresh willow stick carefully picked and sharpened into the best roasting stick ever made for wieners and marshmallows. The bonfire was carried on and shared with his granddaughters. We all graduated to BBQ’s but for some of us it is OK, if the odd hot dog is a little burnt.

Victor was a very talented carpenter, handyman, no task was ever impossible. One day he saw Vicky struggling to get up from the floor, after studying the problem he said “I’ll build you a kneeling box, I’ve seen the old people using them in the garden, key word “old people” Victor was 90 at the time.

Victor had many, many friends. Coffee row visits twice a day, sale ring on Tuesday, church on Sunday, and Cowboy Church on Tuesdays he loved the music there it was loud enough for him to here. Visits at the nursing home and pie and coffee wherever there was pie and coffee.

He had many nieces and nephews, David Menzies stands out, he is like an older brother to Vicky and Kevin. David looked up to Victor like a dad.

Victors 4 grand daughters and their spouses held a special spot in his heart. The 10 great grand kids put sparkle in his day. He was a proud grandparent. He loved each of them and enjoyed seeing and hearing about their busy lives and activities.

He remained in his home until his passing on December 27, 2019.

Leaving to cherish his memory his children Vicky Eremenko (Harvey), Kevin Kriwokon (Beth) granddaughters Moneec Frey (Trevor), Alicia Berreth (Preston Wessner), Tracy Tuchscherer (Jeff Tuchscherer), Kendra Ritco (Justin), 10 great grandchildren, Colton and Caden Backlun, Sierra and Savannah Frey, Faith, Trinity, and Logan Ritco, Danica Tuchscherer, Cassie and Chloe Wessner, step son Clinton Klienknecht (Debbie) and numerous step grandchildren. Brothers Bill Kriwokon, Henry Kriwokon, Walter Kriwokon (Shirley) and a sister Mary Warner and numerous nieces and nephews.

He is predeceased by his parents Rod and Vera Kriwokon, his wife Lea and wife Irene, brother John, 2 sisters Suzie and Annie, great grandson Christopher and step daughter Betty and step son Don.

Victor will be missed by his family, his many friends, and his community.

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