Helen Ellen (Gulayets) Moneta
Worked in Diet and Kitchen from 1957 to 1958.
Verna Lazicki
Worked in Medical Records, Nursing, and as Receptionist from 1967 to the present.
Lucille (Spencer) Krevenky
Worked in kitchen and laundry from 1956 to 1961.
Mary Ann Spencer
Worked as a CAN in 1953 and 1955.
Ed and Pat Soldan
Ed worked in maintenance from 1966 to 1993 and Pat worked in nursing from 1971 to 1990.
Ingrid (Berg) Berg-Jensen
Worked in the kitchen from 1965-1967.
Annie ((Mohyluk) Bodnar
Worked in Cleaning and Kitchen as well as cooking from 1950-1952.
Tillie (Sribney) Heinemann-Hynek
Worked in the kitchen, laundry, and as ward aide during winters of 44-45, 45-46, 46-47.
Josie (Flasha) Zarowny
Worked as Nursing Aide from 1967 -1987.
Nellie (Musiiowski) Czaikowski
Worked 1960 to 1963 as nurse's aid.
I started working in September 1960 and worked until 1964. I lived at the nurse's residence above the west end of the hospital on the second floor. I lived next door to Norma Berg for awhile. It was great as I had room and board which was like a holiday compared to what is offered today. I got married to a farmer, Chester Czajkowski, who happened to be a patient at the time. We decided to leave Elk Point and moved first to Lloydminster, then to Edmonton where we still live today. We have two children - David and Dianne and five grandchildren. David is employed with Isotechnika Inc., while Dianne is married and living in Vernon. I worked for Canada Safeway and stayed for twenty five years. Now I do volunteer work through the church and at the school the granddaughters attend.
Looking forward to seeing you in June and am so happy some of you started the reunion get together - thank you!
Mary {Melnyk} McIntosh
Worked 1949 to 1956 in the wards and in the OR.
I was born on January 16, 1929 in the Landonville District. Took my schooling in Northern Star and King George Schools. In 1949 I started working at the Elk point Municipal Hospital as a ward aide and later worked in the operating room. In 1950 I was off work for six months due to illness. In 1954 (January) I entered the Alberta School of certified Nursing Aides in Calgary. Following Graduation in October, I returned to the Elk Point Municipal Hospital and was re-assigned to the operating room. In 1956, I accepted a position in the Olds Municipal Hospital. I married John McIntosh in 1959 and we have two children - Patricia and Michael and one granddaughter, Maria. We moved to Edmonton in 1964.
Mae (Carey} Sovak
Worked in Lab and X-ray, commencing April 1956.
Alice (Chemiwchan) Zacbaruk
Nursed during the 1990'.
Donnie Tafts (aka Eagle)
Worked in nursing from 1980-1982. Has two grown children - a daughter and a son. Has worked in public health for twenty years and recently made a move to FCSS and started the Parent Link Centre in Lacombe.
Jean Petrowsky
In July 1943 I turned 19 and began thinking of getting a job. One day my dad was going to Elk Point and asked me to go too. While in town, I met a couple of girls from the hospital. They convinced me to go to the hospital to meet the matron, Miss Foreman. She hired me and I started four days later. I began working at the Elk Point Hospital as a Nurse's Aid on the floor. worked with Dr. F. G. Miller, Dr. Anne Weigerinck, a few RN Nurses and Nurse's Aids. My job training was very hands on and a valuable experience. My position involved caring for patients, making beds, giving enemas, cleaning bed pans, needles, creating mustard packs, taking temperatures and dispensing medicine. I found my position to be very rewarding, but my mother often stated that my uniforms sure smelled of hospital.
In August 1945 I resigned my position as a Nurse's Aid because I was marrying Carl Zarowny. We settled in the Elk Point area. In our 62 years of marriage, Carl and I were fortunate to have three sons (Don, Jerry, and Ken) and one daughter (Susan), five grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.
Laurie Keichinger
Worked in Housekeeping/Laundry from 1988 to 1995. I am currently living in Lamont but working at Humpty's Restaurant in Fort Saskatchewan. My boyfriend, Ken, is a contract welder and his son, Roy, is a 3rd year welder at NAIT. My daughter, Patricia and her husband, Adam, were married in 2003 and were blessed with Eva Monique in 2005. Patricia is employed with the Edmonton Police and Adam with the RCMP. Roberta completed her Level III Child care at Vermilion and is employed at a Day Care in NE Edmonton. Chad completed two years Hospitality Management at Red Deer College and is working at the Red Deer Lodge. Be married Kathryn on 07 /07 /07 and they reside in Red Deer.
Ethyl (Bezpalko) Tacey
Worked in the wards nursing from November 1964 to February 1966. Then worked at Fort Saskatchewan, then on to the Charles Camsell in Edmonton until
November 1969. On November 29, 1969, married Glen Tacey. We lived in Calgary until 1976, then moved to Strathmore. We have two daughters, one son-in-law, and two grandsons - all living in Calgary.
Twila (Thiessen) Toews
I had the privilege to work in the Elk Point Hospital from 1982-1985. I worked in the Housekeeping Department. I married Kevin Toews . He owns Kevin's
Computing in Lloydminster. We have two children. Tyrel, our son, is a welder. Our daughter, Shanalea, has a bookkeeping job and a housecleaning job. We
presently live on an acreage in the Dewberry area.
Sylvia(Zanutig)Simpson
In December 1969, I was looking for a employment as an RN and I found an advertisement in the Canadian Nurse for Elk Point Hospital I phoned for an
interview with Erna Holliday, the matron at the time. She hired me right away and I moved into the Nunes Residence. My "Biff" mate was Miss Leon Hartsburger, a wonderful nurse from Austria. The two years I stayed at Elk Point, Miss Leon was a wonderful mentor. She taught me a lot about Labour and Delivery as she was a Midwife and knew everything there was to know about Moms and newborns. In August 1971, Dennis Simpson and myself were married at St.Paul, we actually eloped. I still have my suspicion Peggy Mau knew about what we were up to because she lived right across from the Nurses Residence and she didn't miss a thing! Dennis and I moved to Nokomis, SK in 1973 to take over the family farm. We are still farming. I am retired for four and a half years now. I worked at the Nokomis Health Centre for twenty eight years. I also did Home Care for seven years. We have four children. Our oldest son sells product! for Viterra in Humboldt. Our daughter, Nichole, is married and has a two and a half year old. She and Jason are expecting their second child in June 2008. She is manager of Policies and Standards for the Saskatchewan Department of Highways. She is a Civil Engineer. Andrew is an Iron Worker and lives in Sherwood Park. He and his wife, Tara, have a nineteen monther. Our youngest son, David, joined Her Majesty's Royal Canadian Navy in 2002. He has been all over Europe and the Mediterranean. He was in St. Louis at the time of Hurricane Katrina. He was married December 2006 and he and his wife are expecting their first in May 2008.
Can't wait to see you again!
AUDREY WILLMER
ELK.POINT MUNICIPAL HOSPITAL
I began general duty nursing at the old Elk Point Municipal Hospital in October 1964. Officially the hospital was rated at 52 active care beds but those numbers swelled on occasion because of be(Is in the hallways. There was a btEy maternity department, large pediatric department and major smgery was performed on a daily basis. Four doctors served the hospital: Dr. F.G. Miller, Dr. A.G. Ross, Dr. Ann Wiegerinck and Dr. K..C. Miller.
From records I have kept, I was paid the "princely" sum of $2.10 per hour and that had increased to $2.40 per hour by May of I 966. There was a great sense of family among the staff and although we were always very busy, it was truly a labor of love and pride in providing complete mu-sing care to patients. In
December 1966, I was appointed Acting Director of Nursing for a IO-month period. A return to general duty nursing continued until June of 1968. I then accepted a position as clinic nurse :from March 1969 to June 1974. Marg Saranchuk: taught me the intricacies of lab work and Mary Derewynka was the ever-proficient receptionist and office manager. Here, the doctors pierced ear lobes with a large needle and because of the lack of a dentist in town we also had (and used) some very old dental extraction instruments. The advice to the patient was "Sit in this chair, hold on tight to the chair legs and open wide!"
In May of 1975, I was successful in an application for the position of Director of Nursing at the hospital and this position I held until September 1984. During this period, the new hospital was constructed and Diana Anderson accepted the position of In-service Director.
After the sale of the farm in 1989 and a move to Bonnyville, I seized the opportunity to master computer accounting in my son's (Kim) office. My working career culminated. in retirement in 1997. In I998, we moved to Red Deer to be close to our 2 grandsons. They have now moved to Calgary but we remain in Red Deer. We have adopted the condo lifestyle and I have taken an active part in serving on the board of directors. To fill in those "spare" moments, I do volunteer work for the senior's association and the hospital.
Elsie (Juba) Halldorson
I graduated in 1954 and my first job was in Elk Point Hospital. I worked there for almost a year. I then worked at the Charles Camsell Hospital. I got married. My husband and I moved to High Prairie.
I was glad to have my experience at the hospital I worked in the OR in Elk Point and it was a wonderful experience. I remember Dr. Ross, Dr. Weigerinck, and Dr.
Miller. I often wish that close relationship still prevailed but times do change. We still get excellent care!
LINDA FITZ
2211 HWY 97 S QUESNEL, B.C.
V2J6K4
250 717 0937
EMAIL lindaleebb@shaw.ca
WORKED IN NURSING AS L.P N
I LEFf ELK POINT IN JUNE OF 1986 AND HEINZ FOLLOWED 1 1/2 YEARS LATER.AFTER SELLNG HIS BUSINESS IN BONNYVILLE. I LEFT TO GO TO
B.C. AND START OUT ON A NEW ADVENTURE. LEAVING WAS BITTER SWEET AS IT WAS SO HARD TO LEA VE A PLACE AND THE PEOPLE THAT I
TRULY FELT SO AT HOME AND COMFORTABLE WITII, SURROUNDED BY THE GREATEST BUNCH OF CO-WORKERS AND FRIENDS AT THE ELK POINT
HOSPITAL. THANK YOU FOR THE GREAT MEMORIES, THE BEST!!
HOWEVER TIIE EXCITEMENT OF A NEW ADVENTURE WAS VERY EXILERATING SO OF WE WENT. WE FIRST BOUGHT A SMALL MOTEL, THE VIEWPOINT MOTEL JUST OUTSIDE SALMON ARM, B.C. ON THE SHUSW AP LAKE. I OPERATED THE MOTEL MYSELF UNTIL HEINZ.WAS ABLE TO JOIN ME. AT THE SAME TIME I HAD A FULL TIME JOB WORKING AT A REST HOME, THE HIGHSTREET RESTHOME.
I HAD A FEW VISITORS FROM ELK POINT AT THIS TIME. LILLIAN DEMCHUK. AND HUBBY ALSO LORNA RICK AND FAMILY STOPPED IN FOR
MUCH APPRECIATED VISITS.
HEINZ AND I MADE A HOME MOVIE OF THE FAMOUS SALMON RUN AT RODERICK HAIG PARK. NOT FAR FROM SALMON ARM AND I SENT IT TO
CAROLYN ONESKO THE ACTIVITY AID AT THE TIME THINKING THE EXTENDED CARE PATIENTS WOULD ENJOY IT AND CAROLYN'S RESPONSE
WAS THAT THEY.ENJOYED IT VERY MUCH.
WE SOLD THE MOTEL AND MOVED TO WHITE LAKE - 15 MINUTES FROM SALMON ARM AND I GOT A CASUAL JOB AT THE SHUSWAP LAKE
HOSPITAL WE HAD A VISIT FROM ANN JOHNSON AND HUBBY AT THlS TIME, WHAT FUN.
WE SOLD AT WHITE LAKE AND MOVED TO GREENWOOD B.C. WHERE I DID HOMECARE THERE AND I REALLY ENJOYED THE JAPANESE PEOPLE I
CARED FOR. GREEN WOOD WAS AN INTERNMENT CAMP DURING THE WAR. WE SOLD AT GREENWOOD AND MOVED TO CRESTON WHERE WE BOUGHT A MINI STORAGE BUSINES WHlCH WE UPGRADED AND INCREASED INTO A THRIVING BUSINESS. J.C. 'S SELF STORAGE. WE SOLD AT CRESTON AND MOVED BACK TO THE SHUSW AP LAKE AREA OUT TO BE OUR GREATEST CHALLENGE BUT WE WERE UP FOR IT. IT WAS
A THRIVING BUSINESS AND WE TOOK IT TO AN EVEN HIGHER LEVEL. VERY VERY BUSY AND WE MADE THE BEST FISH AND CHlPS IN B.C.
WE SOLD THERE AND MOVED TO QUESNEL B.C. I HOUR FROM PRINCE GEORGE. AND BOUGHT A 12 SUITE APARTMENT BLOCK. AND I HA VE
STARTED A BED AND BREAKFAST-LINDA LEE'S B&B. IT IS A MUCH SLOWER PACE AND WE ARE ENJOYING IT VERY MUCH. WE ARE ON THE
GOLD RUSH TRAIL. AND I HOUR AWAY FROM THE FAMOUS BARKERVILLE TOURIST ATTRACTION.
ALL THROUGH OUR MANY ADVENTURES AND EXPERIENCES I OFTEN REMEMBER MY DAYS AT THE ELK POINT HOSPITAL AND HAVE TO SAY IN
ALL SINCERETY AND WITHOUT A DOUBT, THEY ARE STILL MY FONDEST MEMORIES.
LINDA FITZ
Helen Gulayec (Onyschuk)
I was born on November 14, 1922 at Spring Creek, 10 miles northeast of Mundare. I went to school at Spring Creek for two years. Then we moved to Landonville in 1932 where I finished my schooling. I started working at the Elk Point Hospital in June, 1938 and continued working there until l943. First I started in housekeeping and then moved into the kitchen to help the cook, Della Robinson. When Della got married, Miss Holte, the matron, asked me to take over as head cook. Duties were to cook meals for the patients and staff. Other duties were canning fruit and vegetables, baking bread and making home made ice cream. There were beds for 35 patients and we had a staff of about 15 which included janitor, Dell Bebbie, laundary staff: kitchen staff, nurses and nursing aides. Some people who worked with me during this time were Pearl Bespalko, Irene Buck, Anne Gulayec, and Helen Chubey. The doctors during this time were Dr. Fred Miller and Dr. Ross. When Dr. Ross left for the army, Dr. Wegeriuk took his place.
The staff lived in residence which was at the west end of the hospital. Usually my day started at 6:30 AM and ended at 7:00 PM. We had one day off a week and three weeks holiday each year. The pay for housecleaning and kitchen help was $20.00 a month and when I became head cook, it increased to $35.00 a month. We did get free room and board.
In 1943, I left the hospital to get married to Harry Gulajec. We lived on a farm 10 miles north of Derwent for 54 years doing mixed farming. I even sold eggs to the Elk Point Hospital for some years! We had a family of four children: Darlene, Eugene, Christine and Joseph. When Harry passed away in 1996, I moved to Elk Point. I now reside at Fort George Manor and remain in touch with a few of the people I used to work with. I am still able to make perogies, floor curl, play cards and go to bingos.
Administrator - Walter Saranchuk
I started work at the Elk Point Municipal Hospital in 1954 and retired in 1983. The first few years I did all the accounting, pay roll, etc. In 1959 I was accepted by the Canadian Hospital Association to bake a two year course in Hospital Organization and Management. This was a two ten month course with one month at the
University of Toronto and, the last year, one month at the University of Manitoba. After receiving my Certificate in Hospital Administration, my duties as
Administrator were:
- to direct and coordinate all of the activities of the hospital in order that it may carry out its objectives as to the care of the sick and injured
- to carry out the programs within policies and by general direction of the governing Board
- to coordinate the activities of the medical staff with those of other departments
- to perform related administrative duties to ensure efficient operation of the hospital
In 1983, my wife, Phyllis, passed away after a lengthy illness and, in 1984, I married Marg Jacobson. We still live in Lindbergh. I spend most of my time in my
woodworking shop and yard. I enjoy my family, grandchildren, and five great grandchildren. Retirement has been good.
Marg (Jacobson) Saranchuk
My career as a Combined lab and X-ray Technician began in 1959 after finishing my training at the Lab and X-ray School in the Alberta Jasper Building.
In April 1959, my tint posting was Spirit River Holy Cross Hospital where I worked for one year by myself in both departments. We were required to work for one year with visits from the Administrator and teachers from the Lab and X-ray School before we received our certificate. This job was a real experience as it was a Sisters Hospital and run with the strictest of rules. I always remember we were not allowed to walk down the middle of the corridor, we stayed close to the wall as we were told we did not own the hallways. One Lab test I remember was a pregnancy test using frogs. Special frogs were ordered from eastern Canada and kept frozen in the freezer. When a pregnancy test was ordered, the frog was taken out to thaw. A urine specimen was collected from the woman concerned and mixed with a reagent. This was injected into the frog, who was left sitting for half an hour, the squeezed until he urinated on a glass slide. This was the examined under the microscope and, if little cigar shaped organisms were seen, the test was positive. If the test was positive the frog was released outside and, if the test was negative, he was refrozen and used again. We have come a long ways since this test.
My next job was at Mayerthorpe Municipal Hospital in 1960. where I stayed for four yean. This was a very busy hospital as it was the only hospital on Highway 43
between Grande Prairie and Edmonton at that time. We had a lot of industrial accidents from Fox Creek and Whitecourt. One incident I will never forget is the xray I took of a young man who injured his back in a car accident. The X-rays did not turn out, all I got was shadows. Finally, discovering the x-ray tube had burned out, I phoned a repair man in Edmonton but had to wait until the following day. The next morning, the doctor ordered the X-rays with the comment "for shadowy pictures I will choose a more shapely form". My years in this hospital were good - we went from a tiny little room for a Lab for a Lab we shared with CSR to a large Lab which was set up in the basement.
From Mayertborpe, I went to Stettler, my first hospital where I worked with another Tech (Nick). He was not trained - just what he learned in the army. I did
mostly Lab and he did X-ray. This was a real experience as the X-ray files were kept in his room which was in the basement of the hospital. When I had to do X-rays, I was always leary about going to his room to get the files.
After leaving Stettler, I returned home to Elk Point with my new daughter, Crystal, in 1964. I started work in November of that year in the old EPMH working with
Donna Fedorus. We were kept very busy with four doctors - Ross, Weigerinck, F .G. Miller and K.C.Miller - and a fifty-four bed facility. Our Lab work was done
locally - eg. wbc's, rbc's hgbs, platelets, urines, and some chemistrys - each done individually. X-ray consisted of Barium Series and enemas, IVP's, G.B. Series and all other I-rays. We worked hard and had time for enjoying our co-workers. It was like a big happy family.
In 1969, I was offered a position at the Elk Point Clinic as Lab and X-ray Tech, which I took as my daughter was almost ready for school and this position enabled
me to be at home in the mornings to get her off to school The hours were better and there was no being on call. I worked here in the old clinic until 1977 or 78 when we moved to the back of the present Drug Store and, a few years later, the old building was demolished. I worked here until 1980, when Dr, Miller closed his clinic, and some of us returned to work at the present hospital Here I stayed for thirteen years - the rest of my career. In the 1980's things began to change - the age of automated equipment which made doing all our tests much easier. Then came the computers and the automatic I-ray processor -which eliminated our old method of manual developing. Some changes were good and some were not.
In 1984, after being single for forty-six years, I married Walter Saranchuk and moved from Elk Point to Lindbergh. I continued working until 1993 when all the
changes and being on call were not things I enjoyed any more, so I decided to retire. At the age of fifty-five, I called it quits after thirty-five years as a Technician. My last thirteen years working in Elk Point were with two of the most important people in my life -Agnes Morozuik, Our supervisor, and Val Poitras. The three of us were known as the Lab Chicks. We worked well together, to the point where one could take over a job and knew exactly what the other one had done. We became very close, still are and always will be.
My retired life has been very good. Walter and I have done some travelling, camping and fishing but we are now content to stay close to home and enjoy our
families and our precious five great grandchildren. Life is good.
Barbara (Holliday) Bonnah
Born: Vermilion, AB
Moved to a farm east of Elk Point - age 5
Went to Muriel School . grades 2 to 8
Grade 1 in Scapa, AB with Aunt
Elk Point High School Gr. 9, 10, 11
Went to school for Nursing Aides November 1951 to August 1952
Worked at Elk Point Municipal Hospital September 1952-November 1954
Married Tommy Bonnah February 1955
Children: Terrill-1955, Thomas -1957, Lynette-1958, Keith-1960,
Dawn - 1962, William - 1963, Robert- 1965, Christopher - 1970
(deceased)
Worked night (11 to 7) at the Misericordlia ... 1959-60. Was there until March 1999. Was Chapter President at AARNA for eight years. Served on various committees. Was rep for RNA's at Glenrose with Occupational Health and Safety for eight years. Had workshops for catheterization and other s for Glenrose RNA's with the help of provincial staff from AARNA. In 1989 I received the Bill Gray Membership Recognition Award for the RNA of Alberta.
Have been very active in the Ebenezer Church for over thirty years. Mostly with the choir and served on various church committees.
I have twenty grandchildren, six step grandchildren, and two great grandchildren. I was widowed in March 2002 after forty seven years of marriage.
I live in my own home and enjoy flower and vegetable gardening during the summer. I enjoy social events at the church - whist parties, suppers, and other events put on by the UCW and Sunday School. I go out with a group of Glenrose Nursing Staff once a month and twice a year with a larger group of eighteen to twenty people of the nursing and Office staff. My pride and joy are my family and I am blessed to have wonderful friends.
Edna (Lesyk) Fradsham
Started work in l952 at hospital laundry, then kitchen. 1955 - Calgary School of Nursing Assistant. Graduated in 1956. Worked in Elk Point for one and a half
years. Moved to Bonnyville for about three and a half years. In 1961, went to Dryden, Ontario to work at hospital
Lived in Ontario for forty-two years. Have two daughters and two grandsons in Calgary. After retirement, moved to Okotoks in 2001.
Anne (Adams) Lillies
I came to Alberta from Nova Scotia in November 1966. I worked at the Elk Point Hospital until 1968. I met Garry there and we married in April 1968 and were
transferred to Mayerthorpe, Alberta. We will be celebrating our 40th anniversary in April We moved to Red Deer, then to Airdrie and living in BC at the coast.
I retired from Nursing in 2004 and we are both enjoying a healthy, happy retirement here. I am sorry we are unable to attend the festivities but that week-end
has been booked and cannot be changed. Have a wonderful reunion!
Chris (Appleton) McFadyen
Worked in Dietary from 1973 to 1986.
Violet E. (Barnett) McFadyen
I began working at the Elk Point Hospital in 1969. It was very fortunate for me to have the opportunity to receive a three work training course from Mrs. Marion
Tredger prior to commencing full time employment. Working at the hospital was a great experience for me. I very much enjoyed working with the patients. I was able to work in all areas of the hospital but my favourite areas were maternity and especially emergency.
I enjoyed working with my colleagues. We worked hard and had lots of happy and good times. It was with great reluctance and sadness that I was obligated to retire at age 65. Without a doubt, my years at the Elk Point Municipal Hospital were the happiest and most rewarding years of my life.
Since retiring, I have continued to live in my own home close to the hospital. Over the years, I have enjoyed much volunteer work in the community along with
crocheting, quilting, and other hobbies at home. I have done some travelling to eastern Canada, the States, B.C., the Territories, and to the Yukon.
My family has always been important to me and we have enjoyed many happy family times. Barrie and Chris have lived on the farm south of Elk Point. Barrie
drove school bus for thirty years and Chris worked at the Elk Point Hospital for many years. Malcolm and Marge live at Bonnyville where they also farm. Myrna
and Bill live in Elk Point but Bill works on his farm and with his contracting business and Myrna works with Portage College. I have seven grandchildren, twelve
great grandchildren, and one great grand child. Our family was very devastated in August 2007 when we lost Barrie, my youngest son. However, as is so often said, life must go on and the beautiful and cherished memories I have of my life at the hospital, of the patients I was privileged to work with, and of my hospital colleagues will always be a source of strength and encouragement for me.
