Dmytro “Dan” Kachur
February 15, 1931 – October 12, 2022
After a full and eventful life, Dmytro “Dan” Kachur of Humboldt, SK, (and formerly of the Lanigan, SK, district) passed away peacefully at St. Mary’s Villa, Humboldt, on Wednesday, October 12, 2022. He was 91 years of age. Dan was born on the family farm near Lanigan, SK (SW-1-35-22-W2) to August and Mary (née Romashenko) Kachur on February 15, 1931. The youngest child, some say he collected his personality from his four older siblings: Bill, Paul, Peter and sister Jean! Across the road from the farm, Dan attended Elmsville Country School. The homestead was a mixed farming operation. Doing a man’s work while still a boy, Dan helped thresh, seed, and harvest the fields. He fed the livestock, and sold eggs, poultry, and garden produce locally, and delivered to the Humboldt Creamery and Humboldt Flour Mills. All those aspects helped the farm thrive. Later Dan, with his brother Bill, maintained the farm when their parents and two older brothers moved to Saskatoon, SK, and Jean moved to Michigan, USA. With the introduction of modern machinery, Dan learned to operate, repair, and maintain the equipment, which helped to lower costs, and it went along nicely with his “I did it my way,” approach to life. Modern methods resulted in more free time on the farm and allowed Dan and Bill to travel down east to the United States, where they worked and visited their sister. The boys both worked in car factories and Dan delivered “dainties” (Dan’s name for pastries) for a local deli called Shopsy’s in Toronto, ON. Thinking of the future, post-secondary education was important and CTVS in Saskatoon was Dan’s choice for beginning a welding career. In those years, Dan continued his sporting interests, playing hockey, baseball, and boxing. He played hockey for Attica, and Lanigan, as well as baseball and boxing in Melville. Around that time, Dan cut a few records and enjoyed Ukrainian dancing. Years later he would play instruments and sing regularly for his children. Dan was part of a band with George Novecosky, Eddy Knaus, Ardele Knaus and Bud Fisher; they provided entertainment at barn dances and later at the Elmsville Recreation Club. The music and socializing ultimately led to Dan meeting the love of his life, Rita Nemeth, from Prudhomme, SK; they married in 1954. Blessed with four children: Donna Lee (1955), Russ (1956), Lorraine (1957) and Kimberly (1969), they enjoyed life on the family homestead. As well as farming, Dan worked as a welder with Ingham Industries, ME Cook and Sons Plumbing and Heating, Weber Construction at PCS (formally Alwinsal Potash Security), and Potash Corp, and drove the school bus. Being community minded, he worked as a councillor for Division One, was on the Lanigan hospital board, worked with the Christian Farm Crisis group, and was involved in politics. His true passion was to provide a good life for his wife and family. Together Dan and Rita enjoyed gardening, their fruit trees, raspberry and strawberry patches, yard care, wine making, baking and perogy making. In their motor home they traveled to events like the Big Valley Jamboree at Craven, SK, or family visits and campgrounds. Retiring to Humboldt in 2008, they could now travel, set up a new yard and enjoy their retirement years. By 2019, St. Mary’s Villa became home allowing them to stay together and receive the support they both needed. We will really miss you, but don’t worry we will be okay. Rest easy Dad! Dan will be remembered and deeply missed by his wife of 68 years, Rita Kachur; his daughter Donna Lee (Robert) Heinrich and their son, Jay; his son Russell (Ellen) Kachur and their family, Karlie (Blair) Bergen and their children Piper and Ryker, and Klay (Michelle Pratt) Kachur; his daughter Lorraine (Les) Swayze; his daughter, Kimberly (Jeff) Gerat and their son Easton; and by his sister-in-law Beatrice (née Meyer) Kachur. Dan was predeceased by his parents August and Mary (née Romashenko) Kachur; his brothers and sisters-in-law: Bill Kachur, Peter (Rosella) Kachur, and Paul (Lenore) Kachur; and by his sister Jean Young. The Celebration of Life was held at Hillcrest Funeral Home, Saskatoon, SK, on Saturday, October 29, 2022, at 2:00 p.m., officiated by Pastor Steve Menshenfriend. The urnbearer was Russ Kachur. Honorary pallbearers were “all those who shared in Dan’s life”. Interment took place at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens, Saskatoon, SK. Flowers are gratefully declined. Memorial donations directed to the St. Mary’s Villa Foundation (P.O. Box 1743, Humboldt, SK, S0K 2A0) would be very appreciated.
This Notice Is Courtesy Of
Schuler-Lefebvre Funeral Chapel - Humboldt, Saskatchewan
(306-682-4114)