Mark VidakApril 24, 1922 - May 1, 2011The death of Mr. Mark Vidak of Quill Plains Centennial Lodge, Watson, (and formerly of St. Gregor), occurred at Humboldt District Hospital on Sunday, May 1, 2011. He was 89 years of age. Mark was born on April 24, 1922, to Joseph and Anna (nee Pastovic) Vidak at St. Rok, Croatia. In 1930, he immigrated to Canada with his mother and his sister Mary to join Mark's father, who had immigrated six years earlier to prepare a place for his family. They first settled in the Kenaston area of Saskatchewan where Mark started school and, after the family relocated to the St. Gregor district in 1933, he attended Mintern Rural School SD#772. After completing his formal education Mark, along with his brothers, ran a mixed-farm operation, growing grain and raising a variety of livestock. Mark was a lifetime member and supporter of the New Democratic Party, a member of the National Farmers Union, the Humboldt Vintage Club, and a past member of the St. Gregor Knights of Columbus. In his leisure time, he enjoyed going to auction sales, coffee row, and curling, and especially loved the socializing that was a large part of those activities. Mark especially cherished the times spent with his beloved nieces and nephews and, eventually, their children - the next generation, all of whom were very special to him. In his final years, he adopted a whole new family of girls - the staff at Quill Plains Centennial Lodge - and held each and every one in high regard. Mark will be lovingly remembered by two brothers and their families: Tom (Ruth) Vidak and family, Vyenda (Rod) McLean and their family, Christine, Kim and Bradley McLean, Ken (Lori) Vidak and their family, Sarah (Ted) Sand, Megan and Justin Vidak, and Norm (Tara) Vidak and their family, Paige, Brett and Kylan Vidak; and Martin Vidak (friend Paula Michel) of St. Gregor; Mary and Alois' family: Carol (Arnie) Sommer and their family, Matt (Meagan) Sommer and son Mason, Laura and Cole Sommer, and Gail (Calvin) Michel and their family, Jonathon, Evan and Marissa Michel. He was predeceased by his parents, Joseph and Anna (nee Pastovic) Vidak; two sisters: Mary (Alois) Wilger, and Madeline (Mario) Chulo; two brothers: Joseph Vidak Jr., and John Vidak (in childhood); great-niece, Maria Michel; and by sister-in-law, Rosella Vidak. The Prayer Service for Mark was held at St. Gregory R.C. Church, St. Gregor, on Wednesday, May 4, 2011, at 7:30 p.m., led by Glenn Taphorn and Della Thiemann. Music ministry was provided by organist Suzanne Taphorn. Scripture readers were Kim McLean and Paige Vidak, and the eulogy was delivered by Gail Michel and Carol Sommer. The Funeral Mass was offered at St. Gregory R.C. Church on Thursday, May 5, 2011, at 10:30 a.m., concelebrated by Fr. Darryl Millette, Fr. Daniel Muyres, OSB, and Fr. Rudolph Novecosky, OSB. Others taking part were: Marissa Michel, cross bearer; Cole Sommer and Evan Michel, altar servers; Laura Sommer and Meagan Vidak, scripture readers; Sarah Sand, intentions; Kylan Vidak and Bradley McLean, gift bearers; Matt Sommer, Justin Vidak, Brett Vidak and Jon Michel, memorial table attendants. Music ministry was provided by organist Laurie Sproule and vocalists Vyenda McLean and Christine McLean. Honorary pallbearers were Joe Prpich, Tony Kerpan, Daniel Boscher, Nick Bonic, Ed Trimmel, Gerald Hergott, Edward H. Nordick, staff and residents of Quill Plains Centennial Lodge, and all others who shared in Mark's life. Active pallbearers were Ken Vidak, Norm Vidak, Rod McLean, Arnie Sommer, Calvin Michel, and Zvonko Hren. Interment followed at St. Gregory R.C. Cemetery. Memorial donations may be directed to the Canadian Diabetes Association, Quill Plains Centennial Lodge, or the St. Gregory R.C. Cemetery Fund. Schuler-Lefebvre Funeral Chapel, Humboldt, SK.
