WINDJACK, Walter

March 29, 1928 — April 22, 2016

It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Walter Windjack on April 22, 2016 at hospice in Kelowna. Born to George and Mary Windjack and raised on the family farm near Theodore, Saskatchewan, Walter was a generous, gregarious and stubborn man who was happiest in the company of family and friends. He loved to tell stories and socialize, and would often stop strangers on the street for a quick chat (sometimes not so quick). He excelled at stretching a dollar, was an insatiable reader, and had little patience for things that didn’t interest him.  He particularly enjoyed getting back to his roots by spending time on his son Perry’s family ranch in Maple Creek, Saskatchewan. Walter attended the one room Westbrook rural school for grades 1-10, and Yorkton Collegiate Institute for grades 10 through 12. Following high school graduation he completed a 6 week training program at Saskatoon Normal School and in late 1946 he began his 40 year career in education with a teaching position at Round Hills School near Wynard. Walter was just 18 years old at the time and his class of 25 students spanned grades 1 to 10! In 1949 he met the love of his life, Iris Springentayk, and on October 1, 1950, after a 3 month engagement, they were married at St. Mary’s Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Westbrook while Walter was teaching at Springside School.  This marked the beginning of a love story that has lasted for over 65 years. In 1952 the young couple moved to Melville, Saskatchewan so that Walter could work as a CNR trainman for a year. He had just bought a new 1952 Chevy that he couldn’t afford on a teacher’s salary! In 1953 his son Rod was born just as the family was moving to Duval, where Walter had accepted his first principal-ship.  Perry was born in 1962, before the family moved to Strasbourg where Walter had his second principal-ship at William Derby School. While working full time as a principal, Walter took distance learning and attended evening classes and summer school to earn his Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education degrees.  The hard work paid off and in 1969 the family moved to Kamsack, Saskatchewan where he served as Superintendent for the Kamsack School Unit until 1972 when Rod moved to Manitoba and the rest of the family moved to Weyburn where Walter became Assistant Regional Superintendent of Schools.  Following his years in Weyburn, Walter accepted the position of Director of Education in the Arcola School District. Walter and Iris made lasting friendships wherever they called home and truly enjoyed every community they lived in. In 1996 and after retiring, Walter and Iris moved to Westbank BC, and took up condo life, living in close proximity to, and especially enjoying the company of, Walter’s brother Ted (deceased)  and wife Rose, Iris’s sister Jo and husband Bill, and Iris’s brother Gus (deceased) and wife Rochelle. Until recently, when Walter’s health declined, they spent their retirement enjoying the company of family and friends (travelling to do so when necessary), following sports especially hockey and curling, and playing cards well into the night. Walter was predeceased by his brother Ted, brother-in-law Orest Springenatik, brother-in-law Gus Springenatyk and brother-in-law Ed Odway. He will be deeply missed by his wife Iris, sons Rod (Bev) and Perry (Marci), grandchildren Allayne Olson (Calvin), Nicola Windjack (Kristin), Christopher Windjack (Emily), Brodie Windjack and Sydney Windjack, sister Gloria Odway, sisters-in-law Joanne Andrews (Bill) and Rose Windjack, and brother-in-law Roy Springenatik (Gail).  He will also be missed by Goldie Springenatik, Rochelle Springenatik, very special friends Maureen and Tony Recicci  as well as Ev and Ken Werner, great grandchildren Luke Olson and Mason Anaka, and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. Special thanks to Dr. Mark Sorstad for being both a physician and friend to Walter over the years, and to the wonderful Hospice House staff for your compassion and care over the past 5 ½ weeks. A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00pm on Sunday, May 1, 2016 at Springfield Funeral Home, 2020 Springfield Road, Kelowna, BC. Interment will be at a future date.  In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Hospice House (Central Okanagan Hospice Association) www.hospicecoha.org or your favourite charity. For those wishing to send a condolence, photos or share memories, may do so by scrolling down this page to the area called “Share Your Condolences.”  

Service Details

The service for WINDJACK, Walter is scheduled for Sunday, May 1, 2016. Below you will find the map for the service location and the contact information should you have any questions.

Address & Contact for Service Location:

Springfield Funeral Home

2020 Springfield Road Kelowna, BC

Phone:

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Special Requests:

None.

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