In Loving Memory of Mike Chmarney Funeral Mass 10:00 A.M. Thursday, May 12, 2022 Wadena Ukrainian Catholic Church Wadena, SK Mike Chmarney was born on August 29, 1934 on a small farm near Nora, Saskatchewan. Mike was the 4th child of 10 children to Anna (Zazula) and Fredrick Chmarney. His parent immigrated to Canada in 1930, where his two older brothers were born and passed away at a very young age. Mike grew up on a farm and worked alongside his father and his brothers Thomas and Paul. His entire family worked very hard to make a living by grain farming, and raising cattle. Mike's mom and sisters Eunice and Joanne, tended huge gardens, spending many many hours preserving the fruits of their labour, while preparing meals and looking after the house duties. Sannie and Stella were already married and had their own family farms to work on. The family moved to live near Fosston, SK, in the Zazula area, where Mike attended Zazula Country School, on his parents land. The family bought Jack Porter's farm by Clair and they moved there and remained there until Mike retired from farming. Once the family moved to the Clair district, Mike attended the Lawrence School in Clair Sask. Mike met and married Jean (Sawchuk) Bobryk and they lived on the family farm with Jean's sons, Greg and Terry. Mike and Jean enjoyed camping, playing cards, and visiting with neighbours and family. Mike and Jean were great hosts. Mike LOVED music, he learned to play the accordion, which he bought from the Eaton's catalogue. It was a small one, but got him started and was perfect. Mike then purchased a violin and with many hours of practice at nights, after working all day, he mastered the violin, and became a very accomplished violinist as well as accordion player. Music was his life. Mike played the accordion with a band from Manitoba for awhile, before he formed his own band, called "Mike Chmarney and Friends," which they recorded CD's as well. Mike played music for many occasions; funerals, anniversaries, birthdays, community events, barn dances and weddings. Jean always went along, especially when it was a dance where she would dance to the music that Mike was playing. Mike received many awards and trophies for his musical talents. He had a display of trophies that he won over the years at fiddle contests. Mike and Jean retired from farming and moved to Wadena for several years and then to Humboldt, SK. Where ever they lived, they enjoyed coffee company and meals with family and friends.