Obituary

John Kostura was born to William Kostura and Alexandra (Eliuk) Kostura on October 15, 1928, at their farm near Beacon Corner, Alberta. On December 24, 2022, at the age of 94, John’s soul was released from this world to join those of his parents, William & Alexandra; brother, David; 2 sisters, Marie Sywenky & Jean Nelson; 4 brothers-in-law, Jim Nelson, Nick Horiachka, William Mahdiuk & Walter Sywenky; and niece, Cheri Lynn Nelson Calsetta.

John is survived by his 2 sisters, Elizabeth Horiachka, Rose Mahdiuk; 2 brothers, Maurice (Penny) & Victor (Lois); sister-in law, Rose Kostura; in addition, many nieces, nephews and their children and grandchildren.

John was born, grew up on, and eventually took over the family farm at Beacon Corner, Alberta. The land was originally owned by his grandparents, John and Mary Kostura, it was passed on to his parents, William and Alexandra. John, as an adult, continued to farm the land and was the recipient of the Alberta Century Farm and Ranch Award in 2010.

John lived his life alone as a bachelor but he was never lonely. There always were large family gatherings in his parent’s retirement home in Glendon. While his nieces and nephews were young they would visit the farm regularly but time progressed and the children grew to have their own busy lives. John’s focus turned to his church where he, for several years, donated a beef to the Kiev’s-K-Hi Youth camp to feed the campers and volunteers. He was also a steadfast volunteer to work bingo for church fundraising. His friends were also an important part of his life and he was very generous to them. He assisted with equipment and tool repairs and volunteered to help them work their land. He considered a home cooked meal and social time as adequate payment.

On October 20, 2011, while living on the farm, John suffered a near fatal stroke. He slowly healed in the hospital, went through rehabilitation eventually making a full recovery but never did return to his farm. He became a resident of Sunnyside Manor Assisted Living in St. Paul.

At Christmastime in 2015 John had a second serious setback in his health. He moved from Sunnyside into the Extendicare in Bonnyville for a short time and then transferred to St. Paul Extendicare where he spent his final years.

A Funeral Service will be held on Friday, December 30 at 11:00 a.m. at All Saints Ukrainian Orthodox Church, St. Paul. Reverend Father Peter Haugen will be officiating with interment in Sts. Peter & Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Cemetery, Nowa Bukowina. If desired, donations may be made to the SPCA or Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation c/o 5626-51 Street, St. Paul, AB T0A 3A1.To send condolences online, please visit www.gracegardensfuneralchapel.com

GRACE GARDENS FUNERAL CHAPEL, 5626 – 51 Street, St. Paul, AB T0A 3A1 780-645-2677.