The family invites you to watch the Celebration of Joe & Elsie's Life. Please click here



Joseph Ratushniak, passed away peacefully with family by his side on Monday, January 15, 2024, at the Brandon Regional Health Centre.

Joseph is survived by his daughter Joanne (Marcel) Ladouceur, son Garry (Wendy), grandchildren Colin and Kayla, great grandchild Mylah, and daughter Sharon.

Joseph was predeceased by his wife Elsie.

THIS IS HOW THEIR STORY BEGAN…….

THERE WAS A GIRL
Elsie Ratushniak (nee Prokopetz) was born on December 31,1934 in the district of Hampton, Saskatchewan. She was the youngest of five children born to Metro and Helen (nee Zaharia) Prokopetz. She was raised on the family farm along with her siblings, Peter Prokopetz, Mary Chepil, Polly Rody and John Prokopetz. (all predeceased Elsie)
Elsie received her education at Stawchan School and Yorkton Collegiate High School.

THERE WAS A BOY
Orest Joseph (Joe) Ratushniak was born on April15, 1932 in Canora, Saskatchewan. He was the fourth child born to Joe and Katherine (nee Pawliw) Ratushniak. He was raised on the family farm along with his siblings, Lil Butchko, Mike Ratushniak (Deceased), Carol Chabun (Deceased), Vicki Kohan, Emil Ratushniak (Deceased) and Shirley Roueche. He also had two half sisters, Adeline Robertson and Diane Menard and half brother, Stanley Ratushniak (Deceased).
He received his education at Kowaloka School which was located just a few miles from the family farm. Later, he received his Millwright Certificate, Fire Service Instructor Certificate and attended Manitoba Fire Chief's Training School.

THEY FELL IN LOVE AND THEIR FAMILY GREW
They met at a dance, started dating and fell in love. They married on June 8th,1957 in Canora, SK. They relocated to Lynn Lake as a couple and started raising their family with their first born, Joanne Mavis Lee on March 8th, 1958, later marrying Marcel Ladouceur in 1994. Then Garry Wayne arrived on July 2nd, 1959, later marrying Wendy Zimmer in 1983 giving them two grandchildren, Colin (1985) and Kayla (1987) and a great granddaughter, Mylah (2023). Then finally to complete their family, Sharon Lynne came along on November 15th,1961.

THEY WORKED HARD
Elsie's first job in Lynn Lake was in the meat department at the Hudson Bay Store. Her second job was with Dominion Catering in housekeeping. She then multi-tasked working four jobs, one as a Custodian at the West Lynn Heights School; second, as a Home Care worker; third, as a Janitor for the Department of Natural Resources and fourth, as a dog groomer in the area.
Joe began his career with Sherritt Gordon Mines in 1954, starting out as a painter; Hoist Operator at the A Mine; Machine Shop Foreman; Supervisor at Farley Mine; Utility Supervisor at Fox Lake Mine and Mechanical Supervisor at Ruttan Mine in Leaf Rapids. In his early years, he formed his own painting business, and was known as "Painter Joe". He retired from Sherritt in 1986. He then formed his own company, "JR Enterprise" and was contracted by Agrium to provide environmental services at the Fox Lake Mine, thus retiring a second time in his life in 2017 at the age of 85.

THEY LIVED THEIR LIFE
Elsie's main passions were her flower and vegetable gardens followed by canning, cooking, curling, sewing, crocheting, knitting, singing, dancing, playing cards, bingo, camping, providing meals on wheels, woodworking and being the number one fan of her husband and kids sporting events.
Joe enjoyed baseball, hockey, broomball, golfing, curling - attending many Briers and World Curling events, walk-a-thons, playing pool, painting, carpentry, camping, gardening, bingo, trapping, hunting, playing cards and games such as crib & farkle, puzzles, playing the stock market, playing fiddle, singing, and dancing.
He was the Deputy Fire Chief, Fire Services Instructor, Lion's Club member, President and coach for minor hockey league, Wildlife Federation member, Heart and Stroke Foundation volunteer, Crime Patrol member and Cabin Owner's Association member.
Joe and Elsie had two cabins at Zed Lake. They enjoyed their time spent there preparing meals, serving drinks and entertaining family and friends. Many games of horseshoes were played as well as many fish were caught. They both shared their love for pets and trying their luck gambling and their annual trips to Las Vegas. They both enjoyed being around their grandchildren, with Joe having a very special bond with his great granddaughter.

SHE HAD TO LEAVE
After spending one year in the Fairview Personal Care Home in Brandon, MB, Elsie passed away peacefully on April 1, 2018.
In October of 2018, Joe, along with his dog, Toby then relocated to Brandon.

HE HAD TO LEAVE TOO
After being hospitalized for 4 months, Joe passed away peacefully at the Brandon Regional Health Assiniboine Centre on January,15th, 2024

TOGETHER AGAIN
A Celebration of Joe & Elsie's lives will be held at the First Baptist Church, 3881 Park Ave, Brandon, MB on Saturday June 8, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. Lunch to follow in the First Baptist Church Gymnasium. Interment will take place at the Brandon Cemetery Columbarium Saturday June 8, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. which would have marked their 67th wedding anniversary.

SO, THIS IS WHERE THEIR STORY ENDS, BUT THE MEMORIES WILL LAST FOREVER IN THE CHAPTERS OF THEIR FAMILY AND FRIENDS.