Obituary of Merlin Mroske

<p style="text-align:justify">Merlin James, of the Kamsack and District Nursing Home and formerly of Yorkton and the Hamton district, beloved husband of Annie Mroske (nee Petroschuk) &nbsp;passed away September 10, 2022 at the Yorkton Reginal Heath Centre after suffering a stroke on September 5, 2022. He was 97years, 2 months and 15 days of age.</p><p style="text-align:justify">Merlin was born June 26,1925 to Henry and Isa (Hammond) Mroske in the back of a Model T ford on the way to the Yorkton Hospital. He always liked to tell the story of how it was said that his Dad&#39;s hat was blown off his head and his Mom, while in labor in the back seat reached up and caught it with one hand. Merlin grew up on the farm, along with his sisters, Irene Bellows and Evelyn and brother Vernice. Doing all the chores with cattle, chickens, pigs and seeding, haying and harvesting. Merlin attended Mennofeldt school which was a hop, skip and a jump away from the family yard.</p><p style="text-align:justify">On June 26,1950 he was united in marriage with Annie Petroschuk. They farmed in the Hamton district until 1986 when they retired, but remained on the farm. During those early years, Merlin did a brief stint as a grain buyer at the Parrish and Heimbecker elevator in Hamton. He also held the position of secretary treasurer of the Hamton Snow Plow Club. In later years after they moved to Yorkton he became a member of the Knights of Columbus. Merlin played the guitar and had many sessions with Ed and Orest Machushek and crew playing and singing into the early mornings. Jennifer and Debbie remember these well. In April 1992 Merlin and Annie moved to Yorkton. After Annie&#39;s passing in 1996, Merlin continued to live at 375 1st Ave. He planted a garden until the age of 93 when he found it a little too difficult to care for. He canned tomatoes, froze peas and beans, etc. He also looked after his sister Evelyn while she lived in her home until she went to live in the Yorkton nursing home. At the age of 96 he decided it was time to move to the Bentley where he didn&#39;t have to cook, do laundry or care for the house. He moved there in June of 2021and after 11 days of living in the Bentley he had a fall which put him the hospital for a brief time and then moved to the Kamsack Nursing home where he lived until his passing. Merlin attended St Gerard&rsquo;s Church regularly and volunteered as a dishwasher and helper on perogie making days. He had many old friends there and made many new ones. He thoroughly enjoyed all the time he spent at St. Gerard&rsquo;s. Merlin was very proud of his grandchildren and great grandchildren whom he got to know and they knew him calling him Grandpa Merlin.</p><p style="text-align:justify">Merlin is predeceased by his loving wife Annie, parents Henry and Isa, sisters Evelyn and Irene Bellows, brother Vernice, brother-in-law Jack and sister-in-law Lena Poppenhiem, nephew Barry Poppenhiem, brother-in-law Mel Bellows, brother-in-law John and sister-in-law Bonnie Petroschuk, nephew Ralph Petroschuk, and special friend Minnie Senchuk.</p><p style="text-align:justify">He leaves to cherish and keep his memory alive daughters and their families Debra (Ed) Keyowski of the Hamton District and Jennifer (Jim) Colloton of the Isla de la Bahia Roatan, Honduras, grandchildren Dana (Grant) Giesbrecht of Warman and Garrett (Brie-Anne) of the Hamton district, Abby Popowich of Calgary and Sarah Popowich of Yorkton, greatgrandchildren Dane and Jackson Giesbrecht, Jevon and Layla Keyowski and Destiny Witzko of Snowden. along with numerous nieces, nephews and friends.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>