RONALD HLADUN

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RONALD (ROMAN) HLADUN August 20, 1927 - July 30, 2016 Roman's life began on August 20, 1927 on the family farm by Mikado, Saskatchewan where he was born. He was the fourth of George and Anne Hladun's 12 children. Dad attended country schools in the area. After finishing his schooling at Pretty Valley High School in Mikado, he attended Moose Jaw and Saskatoon Teachers College during the summers of 1947, 48 and 49. He taught for eight years in country schools that were around Canora and Kamsack, Saskatchewan; Smerenie 1947/48 and Zukunft north of Mikado from 1948 to 1956. After leaving his Ukrainian community in Saskatchewan to venture to Manitoba, he was known as Ronald-- only his family knew him as Roman. Ronald arrived in Winnipeg Beach in 1956 to become a teaching principal. In the summer of 1969, Dad met Mom, a widow with four children under the age of 10, at the Netley Airport where they worked for Northland who fly fish in from the North. While Dad loaded the fish that went to Winnipeg, Mom answered phones. Their first date later that summer was to the North Main Drive-In in Winnipeg with four children in the back of the station wagon. In 1970, their first born arrived on the corner of Portage and Arlington just blocks short of Winnipeg's Misericordia Hospital rushing in from the Netley farm. Always one to study hard, Ron achieved his B.A. (Education) degree in 1976 by attending Saturday morning classes at the University of Winnipeg. In 1977, their second born arrived and was packed up into the motorhome outside the Winnipeg Women's Hospital to visit relatives before making their way home to Netley. After his sons were born, Dad adopted those four children that came on that first date with him. They travelled in the motorhome around Canada and US visiting relatives and sightseeing. Ron's teaching career spanned for 32 years at Winnipeg Beach School until his retirement in 1988. Dad loved to farm. If he wasn't on the field, he kept busy planting and trimming trees or cutting grass. He always drove the tractor or combine. No one else. He loved his sports; Toronto Maple Leafs, Edmonton Eskimos, Boston Red Sox. When he brought the first colour TV into the house on that Saturday night, which show was the first to be watched--Hockey Night in Canada! As a family, Sundays were going to church followed by visiting family. In the early years, St. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic in Winnipeg Beach and later Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic churches in Winnipeg. After Mom's passing and Dad moving to Lockport, he attended and was involved with gatherings at Holy Eucharist Ukrainian Catholic Church in Selkirk. Dad was diagnosed with Alzheimer's/Dementia in the summer of 2009. During that difficult time he was cared for by his youngest son and family, until he was able to be admitted to Red River Nursing Home in the fall of 2012. Our dad's life came to a close on July 30, 2016 at Red River Nursing Home in Selkirk, MB, four days after our mom 18 years earlier. Our family would like to thank Red River Nursing Home and Dr. Lindenschmidt Sr. A big thank you to Robert and Audrey Wasnie who are more like family than neighbours that helped with Dad in so many ways; and Gerald's in-laws, Elmer and Linda Kuber that supported in numerous ways. Cherishing Ron's memories are daughter Geraldine Biy Brouwer and Winston Wuttunee; daughter Johnanne and Ron Drabchuk; son John and Janice Biy; daughter Yvonne and Chris Bullis; son Rohnne and Debbie Hladun; and son Gerald and Emma Hladun. Also holding memories are his grandchildren, Nicholas and Deanna Drabchuk, Devin Biy and Rachelle Budge; and Justyne Biy and Evan Carter; Conor and Emma Bullis, Holly, Amber, and Wyatt Hladun, and Conner, Andrew, Elizabeth and Natalie Hladun. Roman is survived by his sister Cassie and family, and brothers, Ernest, Alexandra and family, Fred, Walter, Alice and family, Alfred, Anna and family, Paul, Frances and family, Melvin, Harry, David, Audrey and family; sister-in-law Sonia Hladun and family; nephew David and Janet Schab and family. Dad is fondly remembered by Mom's family, Terry Hutter and family, Nadia Michaluk and family, Marion and Olga Hradowy and family, along with nieces and nephews of her deceased brothers and sisters. Dad predeceased his loving wife Geraldine (Hradowy Biy) Hladun, his father and mother, George and Anne Hladun, his sister Mary and John Schab, his brother William, and former son-in-law Leonard Brouwer. Messages of condolence can be sent to FamilyHladun@gmail.com. Funeral for Ronald will be held on Saturday, August 6, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. at Glen Eden Funeral Home, 4477 Main Street, West St. Paul, MB. Reception to follow. Burial will be held on Sunday, August 7, 2016 at 1:00 p.m. at Holy Eucharist Ukrainian Catholic Cemetery, corner of Manitoba Avenue and Highway 9A, Selkirk, MB. The Very Reverend Father Isidore Dziadyk officiating. Rest in Peace, Dad -- Vichnaya Pamyat In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Selkirk and District Community Foundation, 200 Eaton Avenue, Selkirk, MB R1A 0W6. Glen Eden Funeral Home & Cemetery 204-338-7111

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 04, 2016