June 15, 1921 to
August 8, 2013
Walter was born at Arelee, Saskatchewan, June 15, 1921 to George and Vera Prehodchenko. Aged 92, he passed away August 8, 2013 in the early evening. Raised on two farms near Arelee and Perdue. He was the 4th of 10 children: Peter, Ruby, Emma, Walter, Diane, Eva, Ester, Marie, Ed and Helene. Walter attended a small school and shared a desk with George Woroby. His wonderful sense of humour came to light in his youth.
As a young man he worked on local farms and in 1941 went to Saskatoon and enlisted in the Canadian Army. In the engineer corp. Walter was part of the team that built a large bridge at the Battle of the Falaise Gap in France that sent tanks and soldiers into battle. His group went on to build smaller bridges and repair others. In and out of many tight spots Walter vowed to join a religion when he got back to Canada.
Returning to Saskatoon he worked as an orderly at the Saskatoon Hospital and there he met Patricia Shymko. They married June 6, 1947 and moved to Castlegar. He worked at Cominco in Trail in the steam plant for 35 years. Walter built 3 houses, sold Fuller Brush on the side and always grew a large garden. Walter and Patricia raised 2 children, Norman and Kathie. He was active in the Catholic Church and as member of the Knights of Columbus. Patricia and Walter took 3 group tours to Europe including England, Rome, Lourdes, Russia and the Ukraine. Many trips were made back to the prairies for weddings, family reunions, barn building and visits to grandmother. Many times Walter would bring back old pieces of furniture and would restore them. This includes his favourite chair in his living room.
Walter sold poppies at Kootenay Market and Canadian Tire and usually attended the services on Remembrance Day in Castlegar. Sometimes he traveled to Perdue for these services. He was a member of the Canadian Legion.
Walter can be remembered for his rich garden produce year after year. Tomatoes and pumpkins were his greatest pride. So were his zucchinis and cucumbers. He won many ribbons at the Pass Creek Fall Fair.
His warm heart and sense of humour will be missed.
Walter is predeceased by his life partner, Patricia, his daughter Kathie, brother Peter, sisters Ruby, Diane and Eva and many cousins, in-laws and close friends. He will be remembered by his grandchildren, (Kathie’s children), Julian, Ryan and Christopher, his son, Norman and many friends and relatives.
Walter spent his last 2 weeks in the care of various nurses and doctors at the Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital in Trail. The family wishes to thank these people for their caring attitude and services to him.
A prayer service was held at St. Rita s Catholic Church at 7 pm Wednesday, August 14. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place today, August 15, 2013 at 10:30 am following by interment in Park Memorial Cemetery.
Sarah Vass of Castlegar Funeral Chapel in care of arrangements.