DAVID DIDOW FAMILY
by Dr. David Didow
I arrived in Elk Point on November 11, 1947, at the age of fifteen and began grade nine at the old Elk Point High School. In 1952,1 attended the Red Deer Composite High School, where I completed my grade twelve and then en-rolled in the Faculty of Dentistry in September, 1952. In 1956 I married Elizabeth Soldan, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Soldan of Elk Point, who graduated as a registered nurse from the Royal Alexandra Hospital School of Nursing in May, 1956.
In 1957 I graduated with a degree in dentistry and opened a dental clinic in Elk Point on June 11, 1957, on main street in the old Windiuk Building. In 1960 1 moved to my own Clinic Building, two doors west of the Elk Point Medical Clinic.
In 1963 Darryl, our only child, was born. My wife, Elizabeth, was active in the United Church as an organist and choir leader of the United Church Girls' Choir for many years.
I have been active in the Chamber of Commerce, the Sunday School, the United Church Board, Scouting, the Recreation Board, town council, the Economic Development Committees, the Progressive Conservative Association, the Arena Board, the Elk Point and District Agricultural Society, the Curling Club, the Masonic Lodge, the Scottish Rite and Consistory, the North Eastern Alberta and District Dental Society and I have acted as chairman of the Hospital Joint Planning Board.
Didow family, August 22, 1956.
BACK ROW, Left to Right: George1 John, David, Michael, William.
FRONT ROW: (Mrs.) Mary Nakoneckny, (Mrs.) W. Didow, Mr. W. Didow, (Mrs.) Anne Tokar.
MISSING: (Mrs.) Betty Anselmo.
WASYL AND MARIA DIDOW FAMILY
by Dr. D. Didow
In the summer of 1947, Mr. and Mrs. Wasyl Didow arrived at Elk Point, looking for land. They had farmed for thirty years in the Cudworth-Wakaw district of northern Saskatchewan but drought and a lack of good water forced them to move. They purchased the Frank Gusnowski farm, known as the "Quin place", one mile west of Elk Point on the old St. Paul - Elk Point highway. Mr. Didow loved the place for the spring that flowed year-round just north of the barn.
On November 11, 1947, Mr. and Mrs. Didow, youngest son David, fifteen, and second oldest son John, arrived at Elk Point with their stock and machinery, which had been transported by C.N. Railway. In 1948, their youngest daughter Ann, and her husband joined them. Wasyl and Maria farmed until 1960, when they moved into town in retirement.
Wasyl arrived in Canada from western Ukraine in 1903. Maria came to Canada in 1900 from the same village. They were married in February, 1909. They had five sons and three daughters.
Wasyl, with the help of Mr. William Andrishak, was instrumental in starting the present Greek Orthodox Church in 1950. Mr. Didow passed away in 1965 at 78 years of age; Mrs. Didow in 1975 at the age of 82 years. Son David, and daughter Ann, still live in Elk Point.
