Mrs. Hedwig "Hattie" (nee Gusikoski) Suchan, age 94 years of St. Mary's Villa, Humboldt passed away on Saturday, April 16, 2011 at Humboldt District Hospital. Hattie was born on October 17, 1916 to Bernard and Helen (nee Saretsky) Gusikoski at Viscount. She obtained her education at Auckland School. She began her career as a Domestic Engineer early in life as she helped families in the area with their children and domestic duties. Hattie met the love of her life Mike Suchan at a dance in the Auckland area. After a short romance they made their way down the isle at St. John's Roman Catholic Church in Viscount on October 17, 1939. This union was blessed for 68 years. Mike and Hattie began their life together farming in the Burr district. They were blessed with 10 children. Hattie thoroughly loved her life as a homemaker especially her role as a wife and mother. Life on the farm meant hard physical work and everything in between but Hattie was always up to the challenges and maintained large vegetable and flower gardens. She loved every aspect of running a home and mentoring her children on the values and morals of life. Religion was a very important part of their family life. After church on Sundays they would have dinner and play ball games in the summer and card games in the winter. She always loved sports and that was passed on to her children and grandchildren. Ball was her favourite sport but she enjoyed a good curling game and bowled for many years. In 1966, Mike and Hattie moved to Humboldt and she began employment at St. Mary's Villa in the housekeeping department. She became very active in the CWL at St. Augustine R.C. Church. She loved to travel and made numerous trips to the USA and to various parts of Canada. They were also fortunate enough to attend Expo in 1967. Hattie was a very social person and loved people. She would be busy having lunch with her girl friends, playing a good game of cards and always looking her best. Hattie was a very elegant lady, her appearance was very important to her and never went anywhere without looking her best. Her gift of generosity was very abundant, she was always very giving of her time and offerings to her faith, family and friends. Mike and Hattie had a wonderful married life and set a great example to their family, friends and community. They were honoured in the Humboldt Journal as the Valentine Couple for their successful marriage of 65 years. In 2007 due to Mike's failing health, together Mike and Hattie moved to Enriched Housing at St. Mary's Villa. Mike passed away in January 2008 and Hattie continued to live at St. Mary's Villa. Hattie's warm, gentle, caring and giving personality will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her nine children: Bernard (Doris) Suchan of Humboldt, Raymond (Joan) Suchan of Calgary, AB, Janet (Terry) Boyko of Regina, Doreen (Peter) Johnson of Okanagan Falls, B.C., Lorne Suchan of Regina, Mary-Ellen (Greg) Zdunick of Aberdeen, Terri (Rick) Vollet of Regina, Bernadette (Mel) Lamb of Humboldt and Michael (Lia) Suchan of Humboldt; 21 grandchildren and 24 great grandchildren; one sister-in-law, Veronica Saretsky of Humboldt; numerous nieces and nephews and by many good friends. Hattie was predeceased by her parents, Bernard and Helen (nee Saretsky) Gusikoski; son, Ronald (1961); daughter-in-law, Ella Suchan (1998), husband, Mike (2008), 5 brothers and 3 sisters. The Prayer Service was held on Tuesday, April 19, 2011 at 8:00 p.m. presided by Nestor Trach. Others taking part in the service were: organist, Kathy Detillieux; readers, Lorne Suchan, Ray Suchan and Terri Vollet; and eulogist, Michael Suchan. The Funeral Mass was held on Wednesday, April 20, 2011 at 1:30 p.m. celebrated by Fr. Emile April, concelebrated by Abbot Peter Novescosky. Others taking part in the service were: organist, Denise Germain; readers, Bernie Lamb, Mary-Ellen Zdunick and Doreen Johnson; gifts, Jan Boyko and Bernard Suchan; communion ministers, Michael and Lia Suchan; and cross bearer Brett Suchan. Pallbearers were Bryce Thoen, Chad Boyko, Brennan Boyko, Ryan Zdunick, Braden Suchan and Landon Suchan. Both services were held from St. Augustine R. C. Church, Humboldt. Interment followed at St. Augustine R.C. Cemetery, Humboldt. Memorial donation's in Hattie's memory may be directed to Humboldt District Hospital Foundation (General Equipment Fund) Box 1740 Humboldt, SK S0K 2A0 or St. Mary's Villa Foundation Box 1743 Humboldt, SK S0K 2A0. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Malinoski & Danyluik Funeral Home, Humboldt, SK.
