Bernard (“Bernie”) Myron Broshko was born April 7, 1934 at home on the family farm in Ituna, SK and passed away on June 12, 2016 in Saskatoon at the age of 82.  Bernie was born into a large Ukrainian family with his parents, five sisters and two brothers.  He was always a hard worker and helped out on the family farm from a young age, but believed that an education was needed to excel in life and so he left home to attend the University of Saskatchewan and earned his Bachelor of Education.  He started his teaching career in Neudorf, SK and after a few years he settled in the position of Principal in Milestone, SK, where he met his wife to be and love of his life, Rita Mahnke.  After several years of courting, they married in Regina on March 31, 1967 then settled in North Battleford, SK, where they still have their  home and cabin on the lake.  Bernie and Rita were blessed with two loving children, Erinn and Kyla and a dog named Punky.  Later, they were blessed by six grandchildren-- two girls and four boys-- who so affectionately called Bernie, “Papa”.  Bernie would say that it was his grandchildren that kept him young at heart and he took every opportunity to spend time with them.  Bernie had an unwavering passion for the Saskatchewan Roughriders and a love of playing solitaire on the computer, doing Sudoku puzzles, crafting anything out of wood, planting his gardens, eating good steaks with a baked potato and, in particular, enjoying a great glass of scotch with a Cuban cigar (nicely rolled, never too tight a pull).  Anyone who knew Bernie knew that he rarely got angry, had a habit of correcting improper grammar no matter who’s speaking, listened intently and had a kind and gracious soul along with, of course, a great head of hair. 

Bernie also believed in the importance of giving back to your community by helping others in need.  Through over 40 years with the Kiwanis Club of the Battlefords, Bernie touched many lives, both young and old.  Being a Kiwanian was very much a part of who Bernie was and, because of his selfless commitment and leadership, Bernie was part of the identity of Kiwanis in the Battlefords; he was affectionately known simply as “Mr. Kiwanis”.  He also contributed to his local Ukrainian Catholic Church and the Battlefords Branch of the Superannuated Teachers of Saskatchewan.  He kept active by working on his gardens, walking with his Strides friends, investing with his investment club and travelling the world with Rita, most recently as a snow bird in Yuma, AZ. Bernie is survived by his wife Rita; son Erinn and daughter-in-law Li-Jeen Broshko of Vancouver and their children, Matthew, Noah and James; daughter Kyla and son-in-law Dave Zakresky of Calgary and their children Kate, Joshua and Emery;, sister Olga Antonishyn of Ituna, SK; brother Peter Broshko of Regina ;and, sister Gloria and brother-in-law Peter Chernoff of Regina, along with numerous nieces and nephews.  He is predeceased by his parents Philip and Anne Broshko, brother John Broshko and sisters Kay Landy, Pearl Kreway and Rose Broshko.

Prayers will be held on Thursday, June 16 at 7:00pm at the All Saints Ukrainian Catholic Church in North Battleford and the funeral will be at 2:00pm on Friday, June 17 at St. Vital Roman Catholic Church in Battleford.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made either to the Kiwanis Club of the Battlefords ( PO Box.1201, North Battleford, SK S9A 3K2) or the Battlefords Union Hospital Foundation, 1092 107 St, North Battleford, SK S9A 1Z1.  Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Trevor Watts of Eternal Memories Funeral Service and Crematorium.

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