On June 23, 2018, Steve Premak said goodbye to this world in the way he lived his whole life – quietly, unassumingly, with complete dignity and on his own terms.

Born July 20, 1935 in Ituna, Saskatchewan, Steve was the twelfth child in a family of sixteen. He left the family farm at a young age and moved to Ontario to work, returning to Ituna in 1960, where he honed his skills as a carpenter. In 1973 he and his family moved to Red Deer, Alberta, where he established a successful building company, Steve Premak Construction. Steve loved working with his hands and continued to design and build wood products for the home and garden after he retired.

Steve will be remembered by Joanne, his spouse and partner for 52 years. He will also be remembered by son Garth, daughter-in-law Penny, grandsons Josh and Zach, and step-grandsons Hunter, Griffin, and Cole of Charleston, South Carolina.

He is survived by brother Ted Premak of Yorkton, Saskatchewan; sisters Sophie Spilchuk of Ituna, Saskatchewan, Kathy (Bob) Glassford of Oshawa, Ontario, and Pauline (Ken) Brozer of Red Deer, Alberta; sisters-in-law Mary Premak of Burlington, Ontario, Louise Premak of St. Paul, Alberta, Donna Wilson of Duncan, B.C., and Gail (Barry) Johnson of Regina, Saskatchewan. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews, and special friends Willie and Deanna Derkach.

Steve was predeceased by his parents Fred and Stephania, brothers Joe (Ann), John, Pete (Anne), Mike, Walter, and Paul; sisters Mary (Alex) Kresowaty, Ann (John) Grebinski, Rose (Stan) Smycnuik, Olga Ripco, and Jean (George) Dybacz; and brother-in-law Bill Spilchuk and sister-in-law Evelyn Premak.

His legacy will be his great tomato plants, the best barbecued steaks, and his cabbage rolls. His woodworking skills are evident in many buildings throughout Central Alberta as well as his hobby creations.

A celebration of Steve’s life will be held on Saturday, August 25 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Golden Circle, 4620 – 47A Avenue, Red Deer. Donations in his memory may be made to the Red Deer Hospice Society, 99 Arnot Avenue, Red Deer, Alberta, T4R 3S6 (403-309-4344) or Diabetes Canada, 220 – 6223 2nd St SE, Calgary, Alberta, T2H 1J5 (403-266-0620). Condolences for Steve’s family may be emailed to meaningful@telus.net. Arrangements in care of Meaningful Memorials Funeral Service, Red Deer and all of Central Alberta, 587-876-4944

• Date : 2018-06-23
• Location : Red Deer