Nettie Hrysak

Nettie Hrysak (nee Ewashko) July 23, 1919 – November 12, 2023

It is with great sadness that the family of Nettie Hrysak of Shoal Lake, Manitoba announce her passing after 104 years of life. We all feel fortunate to have had our mother, grandmother, and great grandmother for such a long time.

Born and raised in the Oakburn area, Nettie decided in her late teens to train as a hairdresser in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. Initially she worked in Winnipeg and later had salons in Angusville, Rossburn, Vista and Shoal Lake. While attending a local dance, she was instantly attracted to her soon to be husband, Lorne Hrysak of Vista.

There they farmed and raised four children. Both Nettie and Lorne took pride in their community and were always helping out with 4- H clubs, community fundraisers, Curling, and the Oakburn Ukrainian Orthodox Church. After retiring from the family farm, they moved to Shoal Lake and Nettie worked at the then known Red and White Grocery Store.

Nettie loved life. She especially enjoyed dancing, fishing, traveling, Shuffleboard and Curling. Once retired, there wasn’t a Curling Bonspiel that she didn’t participate in.

The highlight was winning a trophy for an 8 Ender at a Shoal Lake Ladies Curling Bonspiel. She was also an active member in the Ladies Legion, the Seniors Drop-in Centre as well as the Community Centre. Many memories were also made at the trailer site at Seech Lake with the visiting grandchildren. One of her long-lasting interests was card playing and she was always ready for a game at any time. But her greatest passion was slot machines! Our family liked to joke that it was a good thing she never got to Vegas, or we may have been destitute. On the other hand, she had the golden touch and often came home a winner.

Nettie is predeceased by her husband Lorne Hrysak. She is survived by her loving four children, Loretta (Morry), Wayne (Susan), Tom (Janie), and Chris. She was also Baba to Tara, Shawna, (Michael) Robin, (Vince) Kevin (Liz), Shannon, Lisa (Russell), Evan (Sandra), Nathan (Hailey) and Hannah. Her grandchildren have cherished memories of card playing, eating at Baba’s perogies, enjoying her baking and being gifted with one of her many Petit Point and Cross Stitch pictures. Most important was always being greeted with one of her huge hugs and a big smile. She was “Super Baba or Great Baba” to 8 great grandchildren, Jayden, Cameron, Victoria, Abigail, Zane, Adeline, Alaya, and Anastasia.

We all know how deeply we were loved by her as we in turn all loved her. She will be missed and so now we must move onto the next chapter without her, but as stronger and better people because of her guidance.