Dmytro 'Mike' Michael Zuke

Mike passed away suddenly on November 11, 2024. 

Mike was born on the family farm on October 31, 1938.  He was predeceased by his parents John and Katherine Zuke, brothers William and Andrew, sister Patricia, brother-in-law Allan and nephew Rodney.

Mourning his passing are his wife Evelyn of 59 years, children Michele (Craig), Michael (Debbie), grandchildren Bryce (Amilee), Brady (Amy), Brett, Alli; step-grandchildren Justin, Alecia (Eric), Jessica (Robbe), Shaelyn and great grandchildren, Paisley, Remy, Adelynn; step-great grandchildren Lily, Braylee, Braxton and Theo, his brother Joe (Ruth), nephew and nieces Jed (Sharon), Ron, Carol (Rob), Sheila and great nieces and nephew Suzanna (son Bradlee), Brady (Mitchell), Trevan and Rebecca. He is also survived by his brother-in-law’s Melvin (Janet), Wayne (Cathy) and sister-in-law Sheila (Gerald) and their families.

Mike was born and raised on his parent’s farm located at NW 2-18-13 in the RM of Glenella.  As a young boy he walked to school (up hill both ways) and often hitched a ride on the jigger with the local CN workers.  He attended Tenby School up until the 6th grade and then stayed home to farm with his father.  Becoming a young man would see Mike often spending his Saturday nights at the Café in Glenella, this is where he met Evelyn Mitchler and on May 1, 1965 they were married.  In their 59 years of marriage, they were blessed with 2 children, a daughter Michele and son Michael.

Mike enjoyed watching their children grow and spent many weekends camping, fishing and going to the beach.  As he got older his work on the farm lessened but he was still actively involved, always ready to hop on the tractor and go out to bale or haul some grain back to the yard at harvest time.  You could often find him tinkering on something in the shop, attending to the garden or spending countless hours on the lawnmower cutting grass.

He loved Sunday drives which often ended in having supper at a new to him restaurant or café.  He looked forward to venturing to Kenora for visits and boat rides with his nephews, attending the Austin Thresherman’s Reunion, Dauphin Ukrainian Festival and listening to the Polka Party on Saturday nights.

Mike loved showing his grandchildren the baby calves and helping them feed the ducks and geese and collecting chicken eggs.  He enjoyed teaching them how to ride or drive anything from ponies, ATV’s and even the pick-up truck.  He even taught his nephews (in their early years) how to ride pigs in the old barn, not sure Evelyn enjoyed doing the laundry though. 

As the grandchildren became young adults and the family grew, soon great grandchildren started arriving. Mike couldn’t have been prouder.  You would often see one of them sitting on his knee or him lying on the floor reading them a book.  They were the sparkle in his eyes!

Cruising up and down the roads on the side by side became Mike’s daily routine, always heading out to the pasture to check the cows or driving the fields to see how the crops were progressing.  When Michael first brought the side by side to the farm, Mike’s first words were “what’d you buy that for, you don’t need that” but his opinion quickly changed as he was always seen sprinting across the yard towards it making sure he got to it before anyone else did.

Mike truly enjoyed the quality of life on the farm where he spent his lifetime raising livestock and grain farming.  He will be missed!