It is with great sorrow we announce the passing of Diane Sharp on December 4, 2014, at the age of 65 years, after a two year courageous battle with cancer. She passed away peacefully at St. Paul's Palliative Care in Saskatoon, SK with her family at her side. Diane was born on August 27, 1949, the second youngest child of twelve born to Joseph and Pauline (Krachuk) Rushka in Langenburg hospital. She began her education at Landshutt school and after the death of her mother in 1961, she continued her schooling in Esterhazy. John met Diane in 1967 while she operated the Double R Service restaurant with her sister, Betty. After John consumed numerous orders of french fries and orange pop, they very quickly realized their love was special and strong. Following a brief courtship they were engaged on February 6, 1968 and united in marriage on August 16, 1968. Since that day they were never apart. They started their married life in Saskatoon, as John began his job at Cory Potash Mine, where their children Juanita and Raymond were born. But the farming life was calling and they returned to Saltcoats in October of 1971 and moved onto the farm that is still home today. Along with being a devoted farm wife and mother, Diane also worked for the Bank of Montreal in the early 80's and joined the new Lakeside Manor Care Home in 1985 and remained there until 1995 when her failing health forced her to resign. As the grandkids arrived her focus in life switched in their direction. Anyone who knew Diane experienced her passion for curling, music, fishing, sewing, canning, cooking and of course dancing. John and Diane both enjoyed dancing very much and when watched on the dance floor the magic was evident to everybody. But her biggest passion was always family and friends including food on the table and fresh coffee in the pot. Diane was predeceased by her parents, Joseph and Pauline, as well as her brothers and sisters, Russell, Bernard, Joan, Joyce, Jenny, Alton, Ella, Beverly, Betty and infant, Linda. Diane leaves to cherish her memory, her life-long companion, John; her three children, Jason (Tina) Epps of Red Deer, Juanita (Andy) Praksas of Saskatoon and Raymond (Nadine) Sharp of Yorkton; eight grandchildren, Jesse Epps and Danielle Epps of Red Deer, Derek Praksas and Matthew Praksas of Saskatoon and Evan (Averie) Sharp of Saskatoon, Nicole (Jared) Robertson of Saskatoon, Camille (Bobby) Sharp of Yorkton, Dylan Sharp of Yorkton and special extended grandchildren Haley and Austin Olson of Yorkton; brother, Edward Rushka of Yorkton, all sister and brothers-in-law and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. A Prayer Service was held on Monday, December 8, 2014 from the Chapel of Christie's Funeral Home in Yorkton, SK with Reverend Walter Farquharson officiating. Special Music was provided by friends from the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite. The Funeral Service was held on Tuesday, December 9, 2014 from the Saltcoats Community Hall in Saltcoats, SK with Reverend Walter Farquharson officiating. The organist, Ruth Datema, led the congregation in the singing of the hymns, "Amazing Grace", "The Lord's My Shepherd" and "How Great Thou Art". Tributes in Diane's memory included a piano solo by Matthew Praksas, the sharing of family memories by Kelly Pihach and the reading of a special poem by Linda and Pius Sieben. Special Music was provided by Linda Datema, Connie Taylor and Teresa Laycock who sang "Memories" and "One Day at a Time". A Private Family Interment Service followed in the Saltcoats Town Cemetery. Diane's grandchildren, Evan Sharp, Derek Praksas, Nicole Robertson, Matthew Praksas, Camille Sharp, Dylan Sharp, Jesse Epps (absent) and Danielle Epps (absent), were the pall bearers, carrying their Grandma, after all the years that she carried them. Friends so wishing may forward their condolences to the family by visiting www.christiesfuneralhome.com. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Christie's Funeral Home & Crematorium, Yorkton, Saskatchewan.
