Janet Klimchak

August 12, 1937 – March 9, 2024 

Peacefully on March 9, 2024, Janet Klimchak (nee Stasiuk) entered God’s kingdom at the age of 86.

She is lovingly survived by husband Atanazie (Tony); son Terry; daughter Lisa (Greg); stepchildren Mary (Michael), Vera (Andrew), Ann (Doug), Dmetro (Terry) and Paul; along with her grandchildren, step grandchildren, greatgrandchild, and step-great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her parents Anne and Peter Stasiuk, first husband Walter Chubaty, stepfather Michael Ewonchuk, brothers Emil and Jerry, stepdaughter Nadia, stepsister Orysia (Bunny) Sklepowich, stepbrothers Jerry Ewonchuk and Peter Ewonchuk, numerous brother and sisters-in-law and nephews and nieces.

Janet was born in Vita, MB on August 12, 1937 and raised on her family farm in Caliento, MB. As a young girl, she was tasked with taking care of her younger siblings while her dad worked the family store, and her mother was busy baking wedding cakes for the surrounding countryside. She, no doubt, gained her strong work and cleanliness ethic from having to do most of the chores when her parents were busy. Her dedication to the Ukrainian Catholic Church was solidified at St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church and Cemetery located next door to her home. Eventually, like all children, she had to leave home and went to Winnipeg to Manitoba Teachers College where she studied to become a teacher. Her first teaching job took her back out to the country at Prawda School (north of Stuartburn) in 1955. There she met dad who lived across the road and eventually they married. She continued teaching in Winnipeg at Sir Sam Steele School and in Birds Hill until she took an early retirement to raise a family. Both her and dad were caretakers for several apartment blocks around the city for Active Builders. Once they purchased their new home, they stepped away from caretaking. She wanted to continue to work and became employed by Dominion Foods and then later Safeway until her retirement. She always kept the meat and deli Dept at Safeway and Dominion clean and full of laughter. Her classic sarcasm and jokes gave her regular clientele a bonus laugh along with their purchase. She was very active in the Women’s League (UCWL) at Holy Eucharist Ukrainian Catholic Church as well as the perogy making crew. She was very dedicated to church, attending Sunday services regularly.

On August 12, 1997, the day of her birthday (of all days), dad’s sudden death changed her path in life. She slowly recovered and started travelling with friends to B.C, Las Vegas, Novia Scotia and bus trips to the States. One day, at a church function at Holy Eucharist parish, she caught Atanazie’s eye. Like her, he recently lost his spouse (Olga). He was very charming and persuasive. At first, she was concerned what the “ladies” at perogy making would think but his persistence won her over and she agreed to a lunch in the back at Arby’s (away from the “Perogy crew”). They married in June 2004. She was happy and complete once again. They attended church and went on bus trips, and both continued to be very active with the perogy making crew.

Over the years, she developed age-related dementia. She was content and well taken care of at home right up until she had to enter the hospital. She was so very much loved by Atanazie and will be very much missed by him and all of us. Mom was a very loving and kind woman with a great work ethic and full of life. She was great at telling jokes, had a wonderful story telling talent, and had a strong belief in the Church and Ukrainian traditions.

A funeral service will be held on Monday, March 18, 2024, at 10:00 am at Holy Eucharist Church at 505 Watt Street in Winnipeg with Father Michael Winn officiating. A private interment will be held at a later date.

Vichnaya Pamyat Mom