It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Henry Matskiw on July 1, 2021 while in hospital at Grandview, MB, at the age of 81 years.
Dad was born on the Matskiw family farm south of Petlura near the Riding Mountain Park on September 16, 1939. He was the firstborn to George & Anne Matskiw (Yuriy). Growing up on the family farm, he attended school at Mountain House School along the Russell Trail. His love of horses started at an early age as he rode to and from school on horseback. He completed Grade 8, taking correspondence for Grade 9 until May when he chose to stay home and work on the farm. His early farming days involved working alongside his father.
In the spring of 1968, Henry met Marlene (Burdeny), and they married on June 14, 1969. Their firstborn, Debbie, was born in the spring of 1970. Shortly after, Henry’s parents decided to retire from farming, and moved to Gilbert Plains. The following years involved building up the farm with much work building new shelters, fences and corrals for the growing cattle herd. Henry and Marlene were blessed with three more children; Norman (1972), Kevin (1977) and David (1981). Throughout their farming years, Mom and Dad worked hard to build up the farm with their largest herd reaching almost 200 head. Summers were filled with the busy haying season, fall with bringing the cattle home from pasture and cutting wood for the winter, winters with daily chores feeding and caring for the herd, and spring with the very busy calving season. Dad spent his entire farming life with horses around. Over the winter months, Dad chose to park the tractors and use horse and stone boat to do the farm chores. His horses were near and dear to him!
Dad loved to hunt and had a reputation for being a good shot. He commonly hunted bear, deer, elk, moose as well as many other animals that were a threat to the cattle. Sharing hunting stories with family and friends over a good cup of coffee was a favorite pastime of his. After retiring from the farm in 2005 and having more spare time, Mom and Dad developed a love for fishing. Many day trips were made to Asessippi and Dauphin Lake. Dad always enjoyed a good Ukrainian meal prepared by Mom, commonly at Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas when us kids and grandkids would come home to visit. Guido will be greatly missed by all his family including his nine grandchildren.
Henry was predeceased by his parents, George (1979) and Anne (2000) and his brother Steve (1997). He is survived by his wife, Marlene, of 52 years; daughter Debbie (Cam) Bartel, Kailyn (DK) Klassen, Dylan (Kathryn) and Brandon; son Norman (Tina), Andrew, Craig and Gerry; son Kevin, Tristan; and son David (Steff), Tori and Elena.
A private family service was held for Henry on Monday, July 12, 2021 at 10:00 am from the Sneath-Strilchuk Family Care Centre in Dauphin, MB.
The service was live streamed from this page at service time. You may access it by going to Sneath Strilchuk Funeral Home's website homepage ( www.sneathstrilchuk.com) and clicking on the Facebook icon which will redirect you to the Sneath-Strilchuk Facebook page.
You do not require a Facebook account to participate.
Interment followed in the Sacred Heart Ukrainian Catholic Cemetery. Covid Restrictions were followed.
The family would like to extend a very grateful thank you to Dr. Elliot and all the staff at the Grandview Hospital for their kindness and care for Henry.
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