Donald Schatkoski, aged 87, died peacefully on Wednesday May 19, 2021 surrounded by the love of nine family members in Calgary, Alberta. Donald was born on December 2, 1933 in the Swift Current District, the fifth of nine children of Rudolph & Olga (Schultz) Schatkoski.
Don was brought up on the farm and farming was his first career. His farm experience served him well and he became very skilled in construction and carpentry and loved all his work over the years. He built the family’s first home in Swift Current with the help of his brothers. The family moved to Calgary in 1971 where he worked in commercial interior construction and later as the maintenance supervisor for Home Oil until his retirement in 1991.
He enjoyed retirement on the acreage at Ardenode where he moved in 1990 and kept busy with many projects including building a greenhouse, garage, and “shed” (which was larger than his home) planting vegetable gardens and trees (over 1,000!), and even re-routing a creek!
Travelling was also a source of joy and cruises were his favourite way to travel and he would avoid the coldest weeks of many winters by escaping to Hawaii.
In his early years Don loved fishing and camping and puttering around the house and garage, always moving from one project to the next. In his later years he loved getting together with friends to play cards and he rarely missed an episode of Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune.
Donald spent the last five years of his life at Boardwalk Retirement Community. We are thankful that his life was enhanced by the friendliness, kindness, and compassion of all the staff and residents that make up the Boardwalk Family.
Don was an incredibly hard worker and was very thrifty. He will forever be remembered for his playful sense of humour, deep sense of gratitude, his practical approach to life and love for nature and animals.
Donald is lovingly remembered by his children Jody (Joanne), Lana Costello, Lisa (Al Brost), Lynn (Lee) Robertson; his grandchildren Marina (Mike), Ryan, Tim, Claire Costello, and Matthew and Connor Robertson; his siblings, Carl (Kathy), Irene Stinson, and Gordon; and by numerous nieces and nephews. His life was also enriched through the companionship of Wilfred Sharman, and later by Camille Haegebaert.
The private graveside service for Donald Schatkoski will be on Saturday June 19 at 11:00am at Memory Gardens in Swift Current, SK with Pastor Greg Kiel officiating.
Memorial donations in memory of Donald may be given to the Canadian Cancer Society.
Warren's Funeral Home were entrusted with the arrangements. For further information call 306-773-8831 or 1-800-267-6606 or visit our website at www.warrensfuneralhome.com and express your sympathy on the family tribute wall.
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