Prayer Service: 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 20, 2016 Chapel of Narfason's Narfason's Funeral Chapel & Crematorium 102 1st Street NW Wadena, Saskatchewan Funeral Service: 2:00 p.m. Thursday, July 21, 2016 Wadena Community Legion Hall Wadena, Saskatchewan Interment to follow at Kuroki Town Cemetery Our beloved Father & Gido Mike was born October 15, 1920 in Ukraine to George and Johanna Sowa. He, along with his parents, two brothers and a sister immigrated to the Kuroki area in 1927 after which another sister and two brothers were born. Mike was the eldest of all the children. Mike completed grade seven at Patton School after which he helped full time on the family farm. At age 21, he enlisted in the army for World War II and served in two regiments during which he was posted in Europe in a tank brigade. After Mike returned from the war in 1945, he courted Stella Woloshyn whom he married on October 16, 1948. They resided in the Kuroki area. Mike and Stella were blessed with five children. Upon their retirement, they moved to Wadena in 1992. Mike was involved in a number of community organizations in Kuroki and Wadena; including the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, the Wadena Legion, and the Kuroki Credit Union board of directors. He was also an active supporter of local private enterprises such as F & B Feedlot and The North East Terminal. Mike and Stella's home was always open with a welcome mat to family and friends. Mike and Stella were avid card players. They enjoyed many social hours playing cards with their cherished friends. Mike was very sociable and enjoyed participating in many events at the Weneeda Park Lodge while visiting his friends who reside there. Additionally, he was a passionate reader, very knowledgeable on many subjects and had an incredible memory. Many people were fortunate to be in his company and hear him speak of his recollections of his wartime experiences. Mike was a much respected mentor to all his family. He was the epitome of a gentle man with soft spoken mannerisms and a genuine peaceful disposition but would speak his mind when necessary. He was "Mr. Fix-it" around his home and was famous for revamping and repairing all types of snow shovels for family and many others in the community. Mike was pre-deceased by the love of his life, our mother, Stella in May, 2011; his parents, brothers, Joe, Louis and John; four brothers-in-law and a sister-in-law. Mike is survived by: his daughter Mariann (Glen) Paziuk, granddaughter Shelley (Jeremy) and great-grandson Braxton; son Jim (Hazelanne) and grandson Keenan; daughter Lexie (Bill) Smith and grandson Joshua (Katie); son Greg (Bonnie), grandsons Juston (Anastassia) and Leevi, and granddaughter Kimberlee; son Tim (Gaylene), grandson Brendan (Chelsea) and granddaughter Jaime; sisters Anne Fellinger and Mary Woloshyn; brother Bill (Phyllis) Sowa; sisters-in-law Mary Woloshyn and Noreen Sowa; cousin Bill (Lucy) Filipchuk; and numerous nieces and nephews. Our dear Dad & Gido passed away peacefully at Royal University Hospital, Saskatoon, SK on July 17, 2016, surrounded by family. The family extends their sincere gratitude to all the doctors and nurses at the Wadena Hospital, the Royal University Hospital, the EMT's, the Wadena Volunteer Fire Department and STARS Ambulance personnel for their dedicated care and attention to Dad 's well being. We love you forever Dad & Gido.