Elizabeth was born on March 18, 1932, on her parent’s farm five miles north-east of Hines Creek, AB, and passed peacefully on Saturday, November 4, 2023, with family nearby.

Elizabeth grew up in Hines Creek, daughter of Valdimir ‘Walter’ Luka and Mary (Dudiak) Luka. She attended the old Hines Creek School (now known as the Melody District School). She walked 1 ½ miles in her early years, then was bussed in grade 5 or 6 to the Callahand School (whose name changed to the Hines Creek School).

Some of her fellow students were: Anna Rotar, Anne Weber, Lillian Morgan, and Mike Radzick; her brothers Lester and Wilson Coon, Edna Bacon, Anne’s younger brother Rudolph Weber, and younger sister Lena Weber. Two of her teachers were Mr. Sproul and Mrs. Lundbald. Elizabeth only spoke Ukrainian when she started school so Dan Rotar (an older student) was asked by the teacher to interpret for her. Elizabeth was always very appreciative of that help and finished grade 10 in June 1949.

Elizabeth had fond memories of picking cranberries and saskatoons, most often at the Kenny Ross Ranch. Her Mom would hang the baby in a hammock in the tree and her older siblings would pick berries, never going out of eyesight of the hammock.

Elizabeth met Terris Repetowski (from Codesa) at a dance in March of 1949 and married him at the All Saints Church in Hines Creek on August 14, of the same year. The reception was held at Walter and Mary Luka’s farm. She remembered getting a white heifer and a black heifer from her family, and a sow from Terris’s uncle as wedding presents. One local bachelor gave the newlyweds a pink comforter, and another – George Schultz – gave them a baby doll with $20.00 for when they had their first child.

Elizabeth and Terris had a farm in the Teepee Creek area. They lived there for about five years. Their first son, Thomas Alexander, and their first daughter, Mary Catherine were born there. After Thomas passed away, Elizabeth, Terris and Mary moved to Edmonton. Elizabeth worked at the Scona Coffee Bowl in Edmonton while Terris worked on a car lot. Elizabeth Rose was born during that time. In late 1959 the young family moved back to the farm and resumed farming. Walter Roy was born followed by Margaret Ruth, Anne Helen, and then May Susan. The family bought a house in the Avondale neighborhood of Grande Prairie in October 1968. Joining the family were James Richard and Jerry Roger.

Some favorite memories:

“Mom always said her family was too poor to give her a middle name.” “Her children remember coming home after school to the smell of fresh bread and a very good chance of fried ‘dough boys’. Cinnamon sugar or honey was always the best.” “Her best medicinal remedy for a cold was Apricot Brandy and garlic. Then the last few years she favoured Southern Comfort. In the last decade or so she also discovered an appreciation for the ‘creamer’ at Eastside that her older children (Mary & Walter) were having in their coffee’s – it was Bailey’s.”

“Mom had food and drink for anyone who stopped by. Anyone new was always made to feel welcome.” “Mom always thought dad was so good looking no matter how greasy and dirty he was, except for the time he came home and she wouldn’t let him in the house – he had been stung by a wasp and she didn’t recognize him.” “She was an avid gardener – we all enjoyed picking her peppermint or chives to chew on, tomatoes grew well for her, we enjoyed her peonies, calendula, asparagus and in the house she grew English ivy, aloe vera, and Easter and Christmas cacti.”

“She learned knitting from her mother and we all were favoured with mittens, scarves and socks.”

Elizabeth enjoyed reading and word search puzzles.

Elizabeth is survived by her children: Mary (Danny) Antonio, Elizabeth Gray, Walter (Laurie) Repetowski, Margaret Repetowski-Rowe, Anne Repetowski, May Susan Platana, James (Chastity) Repetowski, and Jerry (Phanida ‘Tom’) Repetowski; grandchildren: Teresa (Steven) Wells, Walter Antonio, Catherine (Dave) Oakes, T.J. Antonio, Luke Gray, Levi (Laura) Gray, Adam Gray, Maya-Rose Gray, Anya-Lily Gray, Jennylee Repetowski, Terry (Samantha) Repetowski, Barry Repetowski, Gerald (Carmen) Rowe, Robin (Bobbi-Jo) Rowe, Austin Repetowski, Jack Repetowski, Alexandria “Alex” (Anthony) Pratt, Anthony Smith, Nathan Platana, and Victoria Platana; great-granchildren Caitlin Martin, Mckenzie Lindstrom, Nolan Lindstrom, Juna-Lee Chambers-Gray, Beth Gray, Lance Gray, Finley Repetowski, Barrett Rowe, Wesson Rowe, Colt Rowe, Bronson Rowe, Jasper Rowe, Charlie Smith, and Havanna Smith; her brothers: Orest (Bev) Luka and Joseph ‘Joe’ Luka, sisters-in-law: Barbara Luka, Ann Luka, and Lila Luka, and numerous cousins nieces, nephews, and dear friends.

Elizabeth was predeceased by her husband Terris, oldest son Thomas; parents: Walter & Mary Luka Sr., father and mother-in-law George and Ahaphia Repetowski; brothers: Alexander, Donald ‘Donny’, ‘Valdimir’ Walter Jr., Ernest ‘Ernie’, Nikolai ‘Nick’, and Mychail ‘Dick’ Luka; sisters: Juliana ‘Julie’ Woynorowski, Katherine ‘Kathy’ Clegg, and Ludmilla ‘Marie’ Giesbrecht;

Brothers-in-law Bill Clegg, Gary Giesbrecht, Walter Woynorowski, John Repetowski, and Peter Repetowski; sisters-in-law Julia Tarnowski, Linda Repetowski, Carol Repetowski, and Mary Luka; grandson Kane Gray.

A viewing will be held on Thursday, November 9, 2023, from 7:00 – 9:00pm, at Oliver’s Funeral Home in Grande Prairie (10005 107 Ave.).

A service will be held on Tuesday, November 14, 2023, at 10:00am at the Dormition of the Most Holy Mother of God Parish, Ukrainian Catholic Church in Grande Prairie (10315 114 Ave.). Interment to follow at the Grande Prairie Cemetery (84th Ave and 112th St.).