Date of Birth: February 22, 1939
Date of Death: November 14, 2023
The family of the late Lydia Sastaunik sadly announces her passing on Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023, at the age of 84 years.
Lydia Minnie Sastaunik (nee Erbach) was born on the family farm to Jacob and Katherine Erbach on Feb. 22, 1939, in the Colmer district between Melville, SK, and Duff, SK. Mom attended Colmer chool, excelling incredibly at it. She was advanced twice in her schooling, but sadly she had to quit in Grade 8 due to her mother’s health and worked tirelessly after that on the farm. She had an incredible ability with all subjects but especially math. For years, she did all the family’s income taxes with paper and pencil, and never once was there an error. She was instrumental in tutoring all four of her sons with their homework and ensuring good marks in school.
Mom met Dad while asking to borrow his car for a driver’s test. They found true love and were married July 20, 1959. They made Melville their home and enjoyed working together gardening and taking care of their house and yard. Four sons were born to them, but, as proud as she was of us, she really wanted a little girl whom she could spoil, but it just wasn’t to be. She would be so happy now, realizing that she has a new great-granddaughter, born recently.
Mom’s faith was very important to her; she lived by it every day and encouraged her sons to follow her. She attended St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and taught Sunday school for over 12 years. She enjoyed working with the kids on the yearly Christmas concert on Christmas Eve. She helped at many funeral lunches and was proud to volunteer at the Thrift Shop, helping less fortunate people. Mom believed in and canvassed for Donors’ Choice for many years. She had a heart of gold wherever and whenever anyone was in need. Mom’s boys never left her house without boxes of great food and tasty baking. She spent many exhausting hours, in the kitchen cooking, canning and baking, and ensuring we all had clean clothes, short haircuts and looked presentable.
When Dad retired in 1994, it was time for them to relax and travel. They made trips through Canada, the USA and Mexico. Sadly their travel time was cut short in the year 2000 when Mom suffered a major stroke, afterwards leading to dementia.
Lydia was predeceased by husband Harold; parents Jacob and Katherine Erbach (nee Keller); sisters Violet Wiebe, Mary (Henry Rathgeber) and Janet (Ernest Rehbein); brothers Albert Erbach (Tillie), Harold Erbach (Phyllis), Donald Erback, Walter Erbach and sister Lorna Erbach (both in infancy); nephews Darren Erback, Garnet and Brent Rehbein; nieces Brenda Rehbein, Donna Ness and Lori Sastaunik; brother-in-law Harvey Friesen; mother- and father-in-law Philip and Mary Sastaunik (nee Printz); in-laws Leon and Pearl Ness and Art and Val Sastaunik; nephews Kim Sastaunik, Darcy Dietz, Dennis Murphy and Chris Nicholson. She is survived by her children, Gary (Mona); Doug, children Zachary (Olivia), Nicholas and Thomas; Jeff (Christine), children Brandon (Alandra), children Arabella, Kalen and Oaklyn, Austin (Atyra), son Wyatt; Glenn (Marilyn); sister Lyona Friesen; brother Gilbert Erback; in-laws Lloyd (Billie) Sastaunik; Doris (Carl) Dietz; Ken
Sastaunik; and many nieces, nephews, friends and neighbours.
Wife to our dad, mother to four sons, grandmother to five grandchildren, great-grandmother to four great-grandchildren, caring mentor, teacher, friend and neighbour, faithful to her God, Mom taught us the value of being a good person. Rest easy now, Mom; you have finally been released from your sentence of dementia, free to fly and be free and enjoy what you have so well deserved. Know that we love you, and we will miss you.
Donations can be made to St. Paul Lutheran Home, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church or the Alzheimer Society.
We would like to thank St. Paul Home, the wonderful nurses there, and for the excellent care that Mom received during her stay, as well as Mom’s wonderful neighbours and friends for their care and concern.
A funeral service for Lydia was held on Monday, Nov. 20, 2023, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Melville, with Deacon Kevin Prouten officiating. Interment took place in the Melville City Cemetery.
Funeral Arrangements were entrusted to Matthews Funeral Home, Melville.
