Obituary of KATERYNA HRUDEN

Kateryna Hruden (nee Kitasz)

August 19, 1925 - May 25, 2025

It is with great sorrow that we announce the peaceful passing of Kateryna Hruden (Kitasz), 3 months shy of 100 years, on the morning of May 25th at Holy Family Nursing Home.

Kateryna, the third of five children, was born in the small, beautiful Carpathians Boyko village Wolia Matiaszowa, to Stefan Kitasz and Maria Szafran. Life there was very hard, but peaceful. They helped build a small chapel of Saint George the Victorious, where they prayed together. Their peaceful life was disrupted by World War II. When their territory became occupied, they were forcibly deployed.

The Kitasz family settled in the small village of Tuchomko, Bytow Region, in Poland, in a house that was barely liveable, with a damaged roof, and broken windows. Quite often, there was no bread on the table. In this hardship, they manage to survive. Her memories were printed in “Nasha Hromada” Journal. In 1959 she arrived in Transcona, and married Hryhorij (Harry) Hruden, who had earlier immigrated from Lubrynec Staryj, Lubacziw Region. A year later,their only son Steve (Stefan) was born. For a short time she worked at the Eaton’s restaurant, and then worked as a seamstress. She loved cooking and working in the garden with her husband Harry, and singing in the choir. She especially enjoyed hosting friends and family, cooking for them, laughing, sharing stories and possibly a warm glass of beer. Her “extra” kitchen in the basement was necessary because of this, and especially came in handy at Christmas and Easter. Of all the things Kataryna loved to do, her number one priority and love was her son Steve. She would do anything for him and was proud of the hardworking man he had become.

Together with Harry, they sponsored many people, starting with her parents, Stefan and Maria Kitasz, brother Yurko, brother Michael with his wife Yaroslava Demko and 3-year old son Wolodymyr Oleksander. She also helped sponsor the oldest brother Ivan, with his wife Sofia and children: Zenowia, Miroslaw, Maria as well as a niece, Nadia Zeleniuk and many other friends and families. Because of Kateryna and Harry, many of these families were able to sponsor others, and they will be forever grateful to them.

She is predeceased by her husband Harry (d. 1985), her parents (Stefan and Maria); two siblings in infancy, her three brothers: Ivan, George (Yurij), Michael, brother in law Michael Hruden, niece Maria (Kitasz) Furdyk, nephew Wolodymyr Alexander (Wally) Kitash, niece Tina Nikitas (Kitasz), and so many other close family and friends.

She is survived by her son Steve Hruden, several nieces and nephews including: Ron Hruden, Maryka and Johny Hruden, Zena Szustakowski (Isabel, Robert, Paul and Vanessa), Mirek Kitasz, Ollia Zirka Star Eagle, Lesia and Al Jensen (Hanne, Emma, Mya),Maria and Jeff Kozak ( Aidan and Kaylee), Taras Kitasz and Nadia and Ruslan Zeleniuk; and four sisters-in-law: Sofia, Yaroslava,

Czeslawa and Lena. As well as many family members throughout Canada, USA, Ukraine and other parts of Europe.

Special thanks go to the Staff of Holy Family Nursing Home, Father Bohdan Lukie, Doctor Taras Babic for their excellent care.

Divine Liturgy will be celebrated on Thursday, May 29, 2025, at 10:00 AM – on the Blessed Holiday Day of the of Ascension of Christ, at Ukrainian Orthodox Church of All Saints, 1500 Day Street in Transcona with Very Reverend Father Charles Baxter officiating. Interment will follow at the Transcona Cemetery. Following the interment a lunch will be served at the church hall.

Pallbearers will be Іsabel Szustakowski, Ruslan Zeleniuk, Alan Jensen, Jeff Kozak, Derek Kozak and Nicholas MacWilliams.

 

Спи спокiйно в Бозі, Дорога Касю, колиханням i шумом рідних смерек Волі Маріашової, а Канадська земля буде Тобі пухом.

ВІЧНАЯ TOБI ПАМ’ЯТЬ!

 

If so desired, in lieu of flowers, donations in her memory can be made to help efforts in Ukraine. Donations can be made to:

Ukrainian Canadian Social Services Inc., Manitoba Branch,

c/o Ukrainian Canadian Institute Prosvita,

777 Pritchard Avenue,

Winnipeg, MB

R2X 0E8

Income Tax Receipts will be mailed to you.