Obituary of Debra Lynn Churko

To watch the Recording of the Funeral Mass

https://video.ibm.com/embed/recorded/130629150

To Watch The Recording of the Prayer Vigil

https://video.ibm.com/embed/recorded/130622276

Debra Lynn Churko (née Hornung) passed away surrounded by her family at her home in Martensville, Saskatchewan on the morning of June 26, 2021. Debra had courageously battled lung cancer since her diagnosis in April, 2020. Through all the pain and setbacks, compounded by the isolation from friends, family and healthcare support because of the pandemic, she never complained about this last path she had been placed on.  Instead she remained focused not on herself, but on her passion - caring for her husband, children, and grandchildren.   

Debra was born to Michael and Barbara Hornung (née Streifel) in Melville, Saskatchewan, on July 21, 1955.  She was raised on the Hornung family farm near Grayson, Saskatchewan. While attending Melville Comprehensive High School in 1971, she first met Allan Churko and they were married in Grayson on November 9, 1974. In 1976, they moved to Saskatoon where she worked as a medical receptionist supporting Allan while he completed his engineering degree at the University of Saskatchewan. Debra and Allan welcomed their first child, Jody on January 26, 1978, then welcomed Nathan on April 4, 1981, Justin on September 18, 1982 and Misty on November 18, 1987. After Jody’s birth, Debra decided that her most important duty was caring for their children, her partner, and managing the household, which to her standards would require doing it on a fulltime basis, which she did with all her heart for the next 20 years. She re-entered the work force full time in 1998, working as a medical receptionist/assistant until her retirement from the Saskatoon Community Clinic in 2015.

Family life created both frantic days and incredible happiness for Debra. As the children grew up and left home, she was finally able to start spending quality time on her other interests, including travelling extensively with Allan, family and friends.  In most recent years, Debra and Allan became snowbirds and frequented their winter home in Arizona, returning home to Saskatchewan for the warmer months. She enjoyed the pleasures of being a grandmother, gardening, reading, and just relaxing at home, or camping and golfing throughout the Province.  She insisted on family gatherings to celebrate the milestones in their lives and in their children’s and grandchildren’s lives

Debra was pre-deceased by her father, Michael Hornung, her parents-in-law Joseph and Pauline Churko, and her son Jody Churko.

Debra is survived by her husband Allan, her son Nathan and grandchildren Calli and Landan, Justin (Genevieve Pelletier) and grandson Miles, daughter Misty, her mother Barbara Hornung, her sister and brother-in-law Mona and Gord Novak, her sister and brother-in-law Yvonne and Wade Selby, her brother and sister-in-law Darren and Diana Hornung, her sister and brother-in-law Sherry and Dale Scherle, her brother-in law Bernie Churko (Judy Bradley), her sister-in-laws Faith Synk, Elaine Germain, Georgina Churko; and many nieces and nephews.  

Tragedy struck the family when we lost Jody on June, 29, 1999. This broke off a link in our family chain that could never be repaired on earth. While we are so saddened by the breaking off of another link in this world, we rejoice at the reuniting of two links of our family in heaven.   

Services will be held at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish located at 300 8th Avenue South, Martensville, SK. Prayers will be held at 7:30 PM on Tuesday, June 29. Funeral Mass will be held at 11:30 AM on Wednesday June 30. Interment will be with immediate family at a later date to be determined.

In lieu of flowers, for those wishing to make a memorial donation, donations to the JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund), funding Type 1 diabetes research, of which Debra was a regular supporter and volunteer, or a charity of the donor’s choice would be appreciated by the family.

Due to COVID-19, a limited number of people will be able to attend in-person. To express an interest in attending, please email churks22@gmail.com. A livestream link and recording will also be made available for those unable to attend.