Mike passed away on Sunday, May 10, 2015 at the age of 84 years.
Mike is survived by his wife of 55 years, Helen; daughter, Doreen (Dan); and grandson, Christopher; sons, Joseph (Dianne); Gregory, and grandchildren: Ashley, Mitchell, Storm and Tahni (great-grandchild, Hunter); and John, (Caralen) and grandchildren: Catherine, Vivienne and Sterling; and sisters, Annie Cowan and Irene Bowden. Mike was predeceased by his parents, Joseph and Katherine Okolita; siblings, Alex and Martin Okolita and Olga Lazar.
Mike and Helen started their marriage farming in Beausejour, MB in 1959. They later moved to Glenboro, MB in 1965 and Fort Qu’Appelle, SK in 1977 where they owned and operated MacLeod’s stores. Mike and Helen retired from the MacLeod’s store in 2010. Although Mike acquired an ongoing and debilitating respiratory problem in 1983, he continued to enjoy gardening and loved to watch things grow, as well as watching wrestling on Saturday afternoons. Mike was a regular attendee at the local farmer’s market, where he purchased pies and other baking to consume throughout the week. “No pie, goodbye” was one of Mike’s favorite sayings. Mike had a particular fondness for all of his grandchildren and was very proud of their accomplishments. Mike will be remembered by his family.
A funeral service was held at the Valley Alliance Church in Fort Qu’Appelle on Thursday, May 14 at 10:30 a.m. Burial followed at the Fort Qu’Appelle Town Cemetery. Anyone wishing to pay their respects can do so at Conley Funeral Home, 266 Boundary Avenue North, Fort Qu’Appelle, Wednesday, May 13, 2015 from 5 to 7 p.m. Arrangements entrusted to Conley Funeral Home, Fort Qu’Appelle, SK. 306-332-0555.
