Mike Kaminski passed away peacefully with his family by his side at the Yorkton Regional Health Centre on November 26, 2014 at the age of 67. Mike was predeceased by his parents, Stanley and Teenie Kaminski; his sister, Jeanette Sawchuck; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Frank and Ethel Blommaert. Mike is survived by his loving wife of 13 years, Carol. Mike is lovingly remembered by his step-daughter, Shelly (Rob) Waloschuk of Yorkton, grandson Chad (Belinda) and great-grandson Carson; step-son, Carey (Diane) Gleason of Yorkton, grandsons Christopher and Curtis Gleason; brother-in-law, Steve Sawchuk, his son, Trevor (Shawna) and their children, Sawyer, Ryland, Sorelle and Jenson, his son, Perry Sawchuk (Shelly Schiebel), his daughter, Taneal (Jared) Semeniuk and their children, Heidi, Harmony, Jorja and Desirae; sister, Berniece (Chuck) Staver and their children, Clayton Kaminski (Pam Komar) and their children, Keely, Chace and Kennedi and Clinton Kaminski (Chantal Solomon ), Cory Kaminski (Jade Kostyleck) and their child, Eva; brother, Danial (Mona) and their children, Ashlee, Jennifer and Lance; sister-in-law, Sharon (Dennis) Mandzuk; brother-in-law, Ron (Brenda) Blommaert; sister-in-law, Veryl (Walter) Boychuk. Mike was born in Grandview, MB on April 25, 1947. Mike attended Sugar Loaf Country School and at an early age set his education aside to help on the family farm when his father became ill. In 1964, at a young and tender age of 17, Mike became ill and was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes himself. In his younger years, Mike worked for Parks Canada providing fire watch over the Riding Mountain National Park and then moving on to work in the pastures where the free range buffalo were located. He also worked at the Clear Lake Golf Course for a period of time. For many years Mike was employed at the Grandview Co-op Farm and Agro Department delivering anhydrous to the many farmers in the area. For Mike to deliver anhydrous at 4:00 a.m. was not an uncommon occurrence. Mike's mom was always a very important person in his life. He would always make sure she got to her doctor's appointments and any visiting or bingo that she wanted to attend. In 1985 Mike met the love of his life Carol Blommaert. They were married December 8, 2000 in Yorkton, SK. Together they enjoyed their seasonal campsite at Pyotts West for many years. Family and friends were always welcome to stop by for coffee, a meal or to sit around the campfire. When Mike was getting tired, he would walk over to the wood pile and politely present you with a stick of firewood and tell you to burn it at your own campsite. Mike and Carol loved to travel and enjoyed the warm sun and complete relaxation on their winter vacations to Huatulco and Los Cobos. They had a very exciting train trip from Thompson to Churchill where they saw polar bears, caribou, whales and seals. Together they started a Saskatoon Berry & Cherry Tree U pick operation. After it was established and trees were bearing fruit, together they made pies and special Saskatoon sauce all by hand. They had many customers waiting for their orders to be filled. Mike's love for hunting created many special bonds and friendships over the years. His excursions included everything from antelope, deer, moose, elk and bear. If there was any opportunity to go on a hunting trip, Mike was ready to go. He loved to fish and also enjoyed sports like baseball, hockey and was a season ticket holder with the Yorkton Terriers for the past three years. An avid coin collector, Mike shared that love with his grandsons, nephews and nieces. Every Christmas he would choose a special coin for Chad, Christopher, Curtis, Trevor, Perry, Taneal, Clinton, Clayton, Cory, Ashlee, Jeni and Lance. Mike also enjoyed children. He would have a "sugary" treat for them, sit them on his knee and sing a song like "the monkey and the baboon." "Step in sometime" was one of Mike's favourite sayings, he loved to put the coffee on and visit with family and friends. Funeral services were held on Wednesday, December 3, 2014 from Westview United Church, Yorkton, SK with Reverend Deborah Smith officiating. The organist, Laurene Jemieff, led the congregation in the singing of the hymns, "Amazing Grace", "Make Me a Channel of Your Peace" and "Morning Has Broken". The urn bearers were Chad Waloschuk, Christopher Gleason and Curtis Gleason. A private family cremation committal will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (www.jdrf.ca). 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.
