Elma Gurke
May 21, 1935 - February 15, 2018

Mrs. Elma Helen Gurke, 82 years, of Central Parkland Lodge, Lanigan passed away peacefully on Thursday, February 15, 2018 at her residence surrounded by her loving family.  Elma was born on May 21, 1935  to Jens and Ida (nee Fey) Hansen on a farm south of Leslie, SK.  She obtained her elementary education at Leslie and then graduated from Wynyard Composite High School. Elma immediately entered Teachers College in Saskatoon. Her first teaching position was in Punnichy. Elma then taught at Foote School which was located south of Dafoe.  It was while she was teaching at Dafoe that she met the love of her life, Arthur Gurke. They were wed January 24, 1959 at Wynyard United Church. Together they began their farming career northwest of Jansen. Together they were blessed with 6 children. Elma was especially ecstatic with the birth of her last pregnancy when a set of twin boys were born to complete their family.  Life on the farm was hard.  She worked in the house, on the field, in the barn, running for parts for equipment, as well as tending to two gardens.  With the two gardens came many hours of preserving wonderful preserves for the winter months She also delivered eggs and chickens to many people in the area. In 1977, Elma and Art moved to Lanigan.  Her faith was always a priority in her life but now she could be involved in the Trinity Lutheran Church. She volunteered on many committees such as the Program Coordinator, president of TLW, prayer leader and secretary to name a few.  She also held the position of custodian at the church for many years.  When she wasn’t busy with the church, she enjoyed being involved with the quilting group.  The group was very happy when she purchased a serger, as this helped speed up the process of quilt making.  Elma also worked at the Lanigan High School as a custodian. Family was Elma’s life; she loved children and spent every possible moment with her family.  She always made time for a good competitive game of cards and she enjoyed playing board games.  Elma was a self taught seamstress.  She designed and created many items of clothing for her children out of necessity as they grew. When her children became older she sewed many dresses, graduation and wedding gowns. Elma also taught herself how to use a computer so she could help with designing church bulletins or anything else needed at the church, she was a very creative woman. She loved reading and doing crosswords.  As a family they enjoyed the outdoors and had many camping trips. Elma and Art didn’t have much time to travel, but they did venture to North Dakota, Toronto, and Niagara Falls.  Her family recalls the flavour and aroma of her bread; she was the best bread baker in the country in their eyes. She passed on her skills and taught Art the gift of baking. In February 2011, while a resident at the Central Parkland Lodge, Elma wanted to share one more gift with her family and she sewed each child, grandchild, and great grandchild a quilt; adding extra love in each stitch. Elma will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her six children, 12 grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren: HELEN Wight of Lanigan and family Aaron Bergen of Medicine Hat, AB, Christopher Wight and Andrew Wight both of Lanigan; MARYANNE (Roger) Fedora and daughter Shaylene Fedora all of Saskatoon; MARGARET (Ron) Stratuliak and daughter Shelia Wild and her children Preston, Jace, and Aaden all of Lanigan; BEVERLEY (Murray) Worobec of Lanigan and family Christopher (Krista) Worobec and children Aliza and Carson of Medicine Hat, AB, Tyler (Kristian) Worobec and children Noah, Emily, Haliegh, Jackson, and Asher all of  Saskatoon; Matthew (Meghan) Worobec and son Thane all of Airdrie, AB;  ALVIN (Johanne) Gurke of Onoway, AB and family: Nicole Hammond and daughter Cadence of Edmonton, AB, and Shelby Gurke (Jesse) and daughters Evelyn and Hazel of Airdrie, AB; ALFRED (Gail) Gurke and family Ashley Gurke and Ryan Gurke (Samantha) all of St. Albert; brothers:  Ron Hansen of London, ON and Roy Hansen of Saskatoon; sister Vina Proznick of Regina: brother and sisters-in-law: Al (Ludema) Kuechle of Saskatoon, Elaine Hansen of Wynyard and Olga Kautz of Humboldt; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, members of the Gurke family and by many of her new friends at Central Parkland Lodge.  Elma is predeceased by her parents Jack and Ida Hansen; husband Art Gurke; infant daughter Sheila Marie; great grandson Austin Wild; brothers: Albert (Kay) Hansen and Delmar Hansen; sister Elaine (Ray) Dobson; brothers and sisters-in-law: Eugene Proznick, Arnold Kautz, Alfred (Bertha) Gurke, Sam (Annie) Block, Donna Hansen, and Anne Hansen; niece Hazel Smith; nephews: Delbert  Dobson, John Hansen, Joe Hansen, and Gerald Kautz and parents-in-law: Henry and Annie (nee Machdanz) Gurke.  A Funeral Service was held on Tuesday, February 20, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. from Trintiy Lutheran Church Lanigan. Officiated by, Pastor Ron Bestveter.  Interment followed at the Lanigan Lutheran Cemetery, Lanigan.  Memorial donations in Elma’s memory may be directed to Trinity Lutheran Church, Lanigan.

This notice placed courtesy of
Malinoski & Danyluik Funeral Home
Phone: 682-1622