Victoria (Chernipeski) MAXEMNIUK

We are saddened to announce the passing of our dear mother, grandmother and great grandmother Vicki Maxemniuk, who passed away on Friday November 25, 2022 at the age of 95 in the Rose Villa care home in Rosetown, SK.

If you asked Mom which parts of her life were her favorites, we’re pretty sure she would say “all of them”

Born to Lena & Bill Chernipeski on May 27, 1927, Mom was the second youngest of four children. Mom grew up and received her education in Theodore SK and after completing her schooling, she moved to Yorkton.  She loved the department store and the people she worked with in Yorkton – she especially loved that she worked in the shoe department and would fondly talk about her pay cheque going back into the cash register for more pairs of shoes, most paydays.

Her life would be complete when she met Maurice Maxemniuk from Insinger - Mom & Dad were married on November 14th, 1952 and soon after, moved to Toronto where they lived for just over a year, before returning to Saskatchewan for good. Their search for employment took them to Milden SK, where Mom would become the Chief Telephone Operator and Dad the Lineman for “Milden Rural Telephone Company”.

Milden would become home for Mom & Dad and where they would raise their three children - Dale, Jo-Anne, and Valerie. In 1967 they would purchase a local grocery store that would become known as Maxie’s M&M.

Mom was definitely “the voice” of the switchboard and “the face” of Maxie’s M&M.  She was known for her “General Rings” once a week on the switchboard and she was usually the first person you’d see at the counter ringing in groceries when you walked into the store.

Mom loved to work and loved to be busy, and both the Switchboard and the store gave her the opportunity to work with her customer-friends. These two places would give her contact with everyone in town and surrounding area - she knew everyone, and everyone knew her. 

Mom was big on community involvement so there was no surprise in the fact that she belonged to numerous community groups, the bridge club, the lady’s community club, working at the rink kitchen, and working figure skating events.

One of Mom’s special memories was playing first base for the Milden MintoEttes softball team – in 1955 the team won the Provincial Senior B Championship title. We still have her suede jacket and engraved bracelet the players were presented with.

Mom loved to dance - if there was music playing and a dance floor nearby that’s where you would find Vicki & Maxie. She was also a character – she loved to play April fools jokes, tell jokes, play practical jokes but most of all she loved to be the instigator of a water fight which on more than one occasion saw the garden hose being taken into the house - and yes, by Mom!

Mom had many talents, she would spend hours over the years sewing skating dresses for Jo-Anne and Valerie; knitting sweaters and blankets; her flair for using a tatting shuttle to create the most beautiful and delicate lace doilies was amazing. She was an amazing cook and loved being in the kitchen. She was known for always making extra to guarantee there would be food to send home with everyone.

Mom was resourceful and liked to make her own decisions - she was faced with many tough challenges in her life and would always figure out a way through. Once she chose a direction, she was persistent and would be intent on following through.

Family and friends were most important to Mom, and that’s usually where you could find her, visiting at someone’s house or having company in. Usually, the first thing you’d hear when you phoned was “are you coming over?” You could depend on Mom to want to help, to want to lend a hand in any way she could – that was her way of letting you know she cared.

She is predeceased by her husband Maurice; by her daughter Jo-Anne Huck, by her son-in-law Daryl Huck and by her infant grandson.

She is survived by her son Dale (Heather); her daughter Valerie Lothian (Blair)

Her grandsons Jamie Maxemniuk (Katlin); Jesse Maxemniuk (Kelley-Anne)

Her granddaughters Kristy Huck; Angela Hawkins (Tim); Rebecca Senecal (Brandon)

Brittany Brooks (Mat); Jacquie Klotz (Bryden); Janine McCrystal (Charlie)

Her Great Grandchildren Jones & Meyer Maxemniuk; Brynley & Marley Maxemniuk; Brenna & Aiden Hawkins; Madelaine & Marshall Senecal; Jacob & Audrey Brooks; Maddox Klotz.

We sincerely thank all the amazing staff at Rose Villa - you provided Mom with exceptional care and made her a part of your RV family.

A family interment will take place later in the spring.

Those wishing to make memorial donations in memory of Mom may do so to the Milden Cemetery P.O. Box 70, Milden SK, S0L 2L0.