Obituary for Hugo Mitrenga
Hugo Mitrenga passed away at St. Paul Lutheran Home, Melville, SK, on Thursday, January 24, 2019, at the age of 91 years.
Hugo was born on July 13, 1927. He grew up on the family homestead seven miles east of Melville and attended Fairland School and District Country School up until Grade 8. Once completing Grade 8, he stayed on the family farm full-time, learning the art of managing many aspects to farming. As a kid, he loved to play softball. Music was one of his passions and he taught himself how to play the accordion and later added the guitar.
Hugo met Eleanor Litzenberger at a New Year’s Eve Dance in 1957. Six months later, on July 4, 1958, they wed and were married for over 53 years. They were blessed with two daughters, Sheila and Karen. Hugo and Eleanor farmed on the family homestead for the next 39 years and then moved into Melville. In July 2016, Hugo move to St. Paul Lutheran Home.
Life on the farm consisted of harvesting grain and raising cattle, pigs and chickens. That being said, life wasn’t all work. In the summers on Sundays, the neighbours would gather and alternate at each other’s homes for friendly horseshoe games. During the winter months, Hugo enjoyed curling and bowling. He also loved to play cards with family and friends.
During his retirement, Hugo was very active at the Melville Seniors’ Centre, where he was the president for many years. He looked forward to weekly dances, organizing the shuffleboard tournaments and calling bingo. Hugo was an avid bowler with a shelf full of trophies to show for it. On any given sunny afternoon, Hugo could be spotted shooting a round of golf at the Neudorf Golf Course. He was also an active member of the Elks.
Hugo was predeceased by his wife, Eleanor; his parents, Michael and Margaret (nee Hickie) Mitrenga; brothers, Melvin Mitrenga and Otto Mitrenga, and sisters, Olga Rutzki, Lydia Metz and Edna Knippleberg. He leaves to cherish his memory: daughters, Sheila (Jerry) Szaroz of Melville, SK, and Karen (Doug) Keating of Airdrie, AB; four grandchildren, Mandy (John) Syrota of Melville, SK, and Kevin (Miranda) Szaroz of Regina, SK; Clinton Keating of Cancun, Mexico, and Chad (Alison) Keating of Airdrie, AB; and his three great-grandchildren, Carson and Kylee Syrota of Melville, SK, and Chloe Keating of Airdrie, AB. Hugo cherished his great-grandchildren, and to them he was known as “Great Pa”. He is also survived by his brother, Larry (Phyllis) Mitrenga of Stoney Plain, AB, along with numerous nieces, nephews and family members.
Hugo was born on July 13, 1927. He grew up on the family homestead seven miles east of Melville and attended Fairland School and District Country School up until Grade 8. Once completing Grade 8, he stayed on the family farm full-time, learning the art of managing many aspects to farming. As a kid, he loved to play softball. Music was one of his passions and he taught himself how to play the accordion and later added the guitar.
Hugo met Eleanor Litzenberger at a New Year’s Eve Dance in 1957. Six months later, on July 4, 1958, they wed and were married for over 53 years. They were blessed with two daughters, Sheila and Karen. Hugo and Eleanor farmed on the family homestead for the next 39 years and then moved into Melville. In July 2016, Hugo move to St. Paul Lutheran Home.
Life on the farm consisted of harvesting grain and raising cattle, pigs and chickens. That being said, life wasn’t all work. In the summers on Sundays, the neighbours would gather and alternate at each other’s homes for friendly horseshoe games. During the winter months, Hugo enjoyed curling and bowling. He also loved to play cards with family and friends.
During his retirement, Hugo was very active at the Melville Seniors’ Centre, where he was the president for many years. He looked forward to weekly dances, organizing the shuffleboard tournaments and calling bingo. Hugo was an avid bowler with a shelf full of trophies to show for it. On any given sunny afternoon, Hugo could be spotted shooting a round of golf at the Neudorf Golf Course. He was also an active member of the Elks.
Hugo was predeceased by his wife, Eleanor; his parents, Michael and Margaret (nee Hickie) Mitrenga; brothers, Melvin Mitrenga and Otto Mitrenga, and sisters, Olga Rutzki, Lydia Metz and Edna Knippleberg. He leaves to cherish his memory: daughters, Sheila (Jerry) Szaroz of Melville, SK, and Karen (Doug) Keating of Airdrie, AB; four grandchildren, Mandy (John) Syrota of Melville, SK, and Kevin (Miranda) Szaroz of Regina, SK; Clinton Keating of Cancun, Mexico, and Chad (Alison) Keating of Airdrie, AB; and his three great-grandchildren, Carson and Kylee Syrota of Melville, SK, and Chloe Keating of Airdrie, AB. Hugo cherished his great-grandchildren, and to them he was known as “Great Pa”. He is also survived by his brother, Larry (Phyllis) Mitrenga of Stoney Plain, AB, along with numerous nieces, nephews and family members.