Mrs. Opal Irene MacDonald Keturakis

Opal Irene Keturakis late of Weyburn, Saskatchewan passed away on Thursday, October 7, 2010 at the age of 91 years. Opal was born December 2, 1918 in Froude, Saskatchewan. She grew up on the family farm with her 7 siblings during the depression. She had wonderful memories of her family and helping her father farm. Opal married Albert (Buzz) Wilkes on October 24, 1942 in Forget, Saskatchewan. They had one son Donnie who passed away at 3 months of age. While Buzz was overseas, Opal went to Duncan, BC, where she worked for Wrights Rope until Buzz was killed in the war. Opal returned to Froude, Saskatchewan and helped her father on the farm. Opal met her second husband Conrad Keturakis when he was custom combining for her father. They married on March 16, 1950 in Froude, Saskatchewan and later moved to Marysville B.C. where Conrad worked in the mine. While in Marysville, Opal and Conrad had their daughter Vikki. In 1954 they moved to Shaunavon, SK to work on Conrad’s family farm. In 1956 their son Duane was born but he passed away 6 months later. Conrad passed away in 1961 and son Kelly was born in August that same year. Opal, Vikki and Kelly moved to Froude to stay with her sister and brother-in-law Lol and Chuck Dammann and their family and then later resided with Opal's parents in Stoughton for 2 years. Opal worked on a farm in Fillmore for 2 years. Later she moved to her brother- in-law, Bill Rose’s farm to help with Grandma Rose and keep house. This became their home until Opal retired and moved to Weyburn, where she resided until her passing. Opal loved gardening, handiwork, sewing ,calligraphy and was famous for her buns and maple walnut chiffon cake. She was a member of the Lady's Auxillary at the Stoughton Legion, a member of the Lazy Daisies Women’s Group at the Grace United Church in Weyburn, helped with the Cancer Society and spent many many hours preparing Heritage Village in Weyburn for the first few years it was opened. Although Opal was very involved in her community her family was her life and she valued them more than anything else.

Opal was predeceased by her parents, Neil & Victoria MacDonald; 1st husband, Buzz Wilkes; son, Donald Albert Wilkes; 2nd husband, Conrad Keturakis; son, Duane Conrad Keturakis; brothers, Archie and Ken MacDonald; sisters, Minerva Bossenberry, Doreen Hay, Bertha Rose; sister-in-laws, Belle MacDonald, Melvina MacDonald, Clara Wilkes; brother-in-laws, William Bossenberry, Chuck Dammann, Bob Wilkes and Jim Rose.

Opal will be remembered by her daughter, Vikki (Larry) McKay of Weyburn, SK; son, Kelly (Mary) Keturakis of Midale, SK; grandchildren, Destine (Jennifer) Keturakis, Conrad, Will and Clara Keturakis; great grandson, Loki Keturakis; sister, Olivia Dammann; brother-in-laws, Norm Hay and Ernie (Lorette) Wilkes and sister-in-laws, Wilma MacDonald and Yvonne Wilkes as well as numerous nieces and nephews. A Memorial Service will be held on Thursday, October 21, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. from Fletcher Funeral Chapels, Weyburn, Saskatchewan with Reverend John Ferrier officiating. A Private Family Interment in Stoughton Cemetery, Stoughton, Saskatchewan will take place prior to the Memorial. Donations in Lieu of flowers may be made in memory of Opal to the Weyburn & District Hospital Foundation

Arrangements entrusted to Fletcher Funeral Chapels, Weyburn, Saskatchewan (306) 842-5432.