Obituary of Bill Kryzanowski

William Joseph Kryzanowski (Bill), of Wadena, Saskatchewan passed away on Sunday, November 22, 2020 at Lloydminster Continuing Care Centre shortly after reaching the age of 97 years old.

 

Born November 17, 1923 to Andrew and Justina (Tina Nycholat) Kryzanowski, Bill grew up on the family homestead on the outskirts of Fosston, Saskatchewan. There he learned the value of hard work, strength of faith, love of family and the joy of coming home to the smell of his mom’s fresh baked bread.

 

As a young man he travelled to Battleford where he studied at St. Thomas seminary and played hockey and baseball.

 

In 1950 he moved to Daphne, Saskatchewan where he began his 37-year career as a grain buyer (elevator agent) with the Saskatchewan Wheat Pool. In nearby Watson he met his future wife Eleanor Badduke. Bill and Eleanor were married in 1952 and for 68 years they enjoyed a happy marriage based on mutual support and a deep love for one another and their family.

The couple were blessed with six children, Garry (Wanda Fischer), Dale (Cathie), Kevin (Shelley), Eldon (Bonnie), Launa (Hal) Weber, and Donna (Peter) Martin.

Bill’s integrity and strong work ethic earned him a position at a larger elevator in Wadena where he moved his growing family in 1966. He became among the most respected grain handlers in the province and was responsible for fostering and training many new up and coming agents for the Wheat Pool. He was proud to have been only the second agent to earn the Million Bushel Club distinction in recognition of the amount of grain handled through his terminal, no small feat in those earlier years.  It was said that he could measure the quality of grain just by running it through his fingers.

The move to Wadena brought him closer to lend a hand with the family farm in Fosston, and eventually purchase a quarter section of his own nearby. He truly enjoyed this part-time opportunity to farm the land and strive for a successful harvest.

Sports was one of his biggest passions. He was a gifted athlete, a coach and an avid fan. Not long after meeting him you were sure to learn that he once “fired rubber” at Emil “The Cat” Francis, an up and coming goaltender who soon starred in the NHL. His competitive spirit also carried over to many card games, especially cribbage, where he is still the defending champion from many a family tournament.  He seldom missed a Blue Jays game on television and the Saskatchewan Roughriders flag flew proudly over the garden in his backyard.

Above all, Bill was proud of his family. His children, along with grandchildren Kameron, Kandis, Kurtis, Kole, Connor, Drew, Quinn, Darian, Austin, Kailee, Dawson, Dylan, Megan, Paige and great grandchildren Kennedi, Rylin and Merrick, were his pride and joy. The legacy of his kind spirit, witty humor, passion for sports, and love of family lives on through them.

He is predeceased by his parents, Andrew and Tina; brothers, Michael and Joseph; sisters, Ann and Rose (Foubert); and beloved daughter, Donna.

 

He is survived by his wife, Eleanor; 5 children, 14 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren; brothers, John Paul and Bernard; sister, Mary; and a host of in-laws, nieces, nephews and other relatives.

 

He was a strong patriarch of his family, a good friend to all, and a true gentleman.

Due to COVID restrictions, a private family service will be held at 10:30 a.m. MST on Friday, November 27, 2020.

Interment will follow at a later date in Wadena, Saskatchewan.

A live-stream of the service can be viewed on McCaw Funeral Service website,  www.mccawfs.com, under Bill’s obituary at 10:30 MST on Friday.  If unable to participate at this time, a recorded version will be available soon after.

Memorial donations in memory of Bill may be made on-line to KidSport Saskatchewan https://kidsportcanada.ca/saskatchewan/, a children’s charity dedicated to assisting less fortunate children and youth participate in organized sport.

Bill's memorial card can be viewed or downloaded from the link below.

https://indd.adobe.com/view/f4e9b44f-e8f9-4f15-95c7-8091465853b9