The family of Ron Sawchuk are deeply saddened to announce his death on August 3, 2021 after a lengthy illness. Ron loved his family with all his heart and was very proud of his wife, daughters, son-in-laws and grandchildren.     

Ron was born to Marshall and Jean Sawchuk of Edgerton, AB on May 28, 1961 in Wainwright, AB.  He attended Edgerton School until 1979 when he decided it was time to spread his wings and started working on the oil rigs which took him all over Alberta and Saskatchewan. He continued until 1986 when the oil boom dried up. In 1987 he started working as an Oilfield Plant Operator which he continued until 2020 when his health started to fail. Ron also played hockey in Edgerton for many years and coached Midgets in Ponoka. 

Ron leaves to mourn his passing, his wife Karen of Stony Plain, AB, daughter Melissa (Kurt) Hall of Stony Plain, grandchildren Brody and Logan, daughter Brittany (Colten) Brockman of Spruce Grove, grandchildren Bethany and William, his siblings Mary (Elbert) Kisilevich of Vegreville, AB, John (Sharon) Sawchuk of Edmonton, AB, twin brother Robert (June) Sawchuk, Debbie Elliott, Elvin Sawchuk all of Wainwright, AB, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family. Ron was predeceased by his parents Marshall & Jean Sawchuk, grandparents Marjorie & Pete Olesen, Joseph & Olga Sawchuk, brothers Bill and Terrence, brother-in-law Leonard Elliott, and uncles Gordon Olesen and Alvin Olesen. 

Ron loved to travel. In 1984 he had been to England and had only been home for three weeks when he met Karen. They were married on August 3, 1985 and on May 13, 1987 they welcomed their first daughter Melissa Ann followed by Brittany Ashton on September 14, 1990. He was such a proud Dad to both his girls right till the end. 

Ron was an avid hunter and fisherman. For many years if you couldn’t find him in November he was out pushing bush for moose and deer. Shortly after he and Karen met they took a tour to Makwa, SK to see his buddy. They decided to go fishing. Him and Karen were fishing off the same side of the boat and she was catching fish after fish while Ron couldn’t catch one to save his life. He said to heck with you, put his gear away and sat back and drank beer instead. He didn’t take her fishing again 😊.

While living in Ponoka Ron took a part-time job working for Dick Jagt at Ponoka Meat Processors. (This is where he learned his meat cutting skills). Dick was also an avid hunter and asked Ron one year to go hunting with him to Cache Creek, so off they went. They spent a few days of seeing nothing and then they spotted this moose on the other side of the swamp. They hummed and hawed what they wanted to do and finally Ron took the shot. Be damned if they didn’t get it !!!!! Now somebody had to go get the damn thing. So Ron being Ron, swam across the swamp in his skivvies and rode the moose back across. Now they had to load it and break camp as they not only had shot it in the wrong zone, Dick had forgot his tag at home…..what a pair they were. What one didn’t think of the other one did. They got home at 6am and had that moose dressed and hanging in the shop in a couple of hours. The worse part is Ron had to listen to Dick snore all the way home 😊😊. Those were the good ole days.

Ron and Karen started travelling to Mexico annually in 2003 and thoroughly enjoyed themselves. They took their girls one year at Easter which they really enjoyed as well. Ron loved camping and would take the family to various places in their travel trailer. He just really enjoyed spending quality time with his family no matter where they went. They took a road trip in 1998 out to BC stopping along the way to sight see and enjoy life. That was a wonderful vacation. 

The family would like to thank the staff at the Mazankowski Heart Institute for their excellent care. Also to those who sent flowers, food to the house, visited, phone calls and the offerings of support to the family. WE LOVE YOU ALL 😊😊. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Mazankowski Heart Institute In Memory of Mervin Ronald Sawchuk.

Cremation has taken place and the family will intern Ron at a later date in a private ceremony.

Love and gratitude,

Karen

Melissa, Kurt, Brody & Logan

Brittany, Colten, Bethany and William