William "Bill" Nykolaishen

It is with deep sorrow we announce the sudden passing of William “Bill” Nykolaishen, age 84, of Swift Current on Wednesday, April 28, 2021 at the Cypress Regional Hospital, Swift Current, SK.

Bill is survived by his wife of 58 years, Mary; his son, Gary (Patty) and their children, Morgan (Cody) Yates (their daughter, Kya), Sydney (Austin Castle) Schultz, and Deagan; his brother, George (Adeline) (Kamsack, SK) and their children, Ron (Theresa), Sandra (Jaime), Allan (Shelley), and Darrel (Rosie); his brother-in-law, Leonard Thiesen, and his daughters, Kimberly (Dean) Gardippie, Carol Steer, and Jennifer (Terry) Trofimuk; his sisters-in-law, Grace Bartel (her children, Richard and Kelly), Phyllis Bartel (her children, Courtney and Matthew); his many great-nieces and nephews, too numerous to mention; his dear friends and fishing buddies, Clint & Georgie Schryver, Ken & Jackie Stephanson, Greg & Nadia Smith, and Vic & Maryanne Klymyshyn.

Bill was predeceased by his parents, Steven & Helen (Kamsack, SK); his sister, Marjorie Thiesen (Calgary, AB); his parents-in-law, Henry & Alma Bartel (Swift Current, SK); and by his brothers-in-law, Roger Byer (Prince Albert, SK) and Rick Simpson (Kelowna, BC).

William “Bill” Nykolaishen was born December 20, 1936 to Steven & Helen Nykolaishen in Kamsack, SK. After graduating from high school he moved to Saskatoon, SK where he received his Bachelor of Education at the University of Saskatchewan. His first teaching position was at Bearstream School in Kamsack, SK, then he moved to Swift Current where he worked at Central School.

It was here that Bill met the love of his life, Mary Elizabeth Bartel, and they were married on April 16, 1963. They had one son, Gary.

Bill went on to teach at Elmwood, O.M. Irwin, and at the Comprehensive High School, where he remained until taking early retirement, and continued to work as a substitute teacher. He coached high school volleyball and also refereed high school tournaments. Bill was respectful to his students and a well-loved teacher — he had his own unique style of teaching and worked hard to make sure learning was fun and easy for his students to understand.

He loved to play baseball and go curling, and ice fishing. He eagerly anticipated fishing season, as he and his friends could always hear the fish “calling their names.” For many years, he and his group of friends enjoyed going for a beer at the Legion on Friday’s. His much-anticipated barbecues would find Bill outside playing all types of music when he grilled, as music brought such joy to his life.

For many, many years during summer break, Bill & Mary and Gary, would pack up their trailer and travel to beautiful Madge Lake, SK. Bill would then drive into Kamsack each day to help out at the family business, Nykolaishen Farm Equipment. Many enjoyable summer memories were made during those times.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Until then, please raise a glass in Bill’s memory.

In memory of William “Bill” Nykolaishen and for those wishing to do so, donations made to the Royal Canadian Legion, the Swift Current SPCA, or the Heart & Stroke Foundation would be appreciated by the family.    

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