Mr. Donald Roy Virostek of Lethbridge, beloved husband of Mrs. Donna Virostek, passed away at Edith Cavell Care Centre on Saturday, August 17, at the age of 86 years. Ironically, he and Donna were united on August 17, 1961, and he departed from her on August 17, 2024, after 63 years of marriage.

Donald was born on March 1, 1938, the 10th of 13 children born to Samuel and Mary Virostek.    He was raised, educated and graduated in Enchant, Alberta. He farmed for his dad before buying his own farm in 1961 when he married his high school sweetheart, Donna Howg. Together they raised 2 children, Pamela and Trevor. 

His motto in farming was “You don’t need to buy new machinery; you just need to fix the old.” He was active in the community and attended the Ibbestad Lutheran Church. He enjoyed all sports, especially hockey, where he was an avid goalie for the Enchant Ninety Niners.

Besides farming, he worked for Jan Electric in Vauxhall, was employed at the beet dump for a while and enjoyed being the grounds keeper at the Enchant Golf Course. In 1998 he retired and resided in Lethbridge where he continued working at the golf course. Later, he was employed at the Lethbridge Exhibition.

Donald took great pride in his yard and garden, and upon his retirement, he spent a lot of time looking after it. Pam will say she learned her yard work skills from her dad.  He also enjoyed doing puzzles and making matchstick models. There were “many” puzzles and models.

He was a proud grandpa, and through the years, he followed all of his grandchildren with their many sports and interests, and this was his “life!”.

Due to ailing health, Donald moved to Edith Cavell Care Centre where he resided for the last 3.5 months. Our family would like to thank Leanne and the health care staff for the love and compassion shown to him during his stay. Dad was known to the staff that cared for him as “Papa”, and they enjoyed his quick wit and teasing abilities.

Besides his loving wife Donna, Donald leaves behind his children Pamela (Lonnie) Odland and her 3 children Brendan (Lucy), Jaden (Nikki), and Karlee (Brendan) Hendriks; his favourite son Trevor (Paula) and their 2 daughters Rylee and Amber; 5 great grandchildren Rory, Nash, Harper, Kiptyn, Briggs and another one on the way; 3 sisters in law  Diane, Linda, Joan, Virostek; brother in Law Larry Haller; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his parents Samuel and Mary Virostek; parents in law Art and Phyllis Howg; 12 siblings Helen (Emil) Gilbert, Mary (Simon) Berger, Samuel (Luella), George (Shirley), Joseph, Elizabeth “Betty” (Stanley) Speager, Michael, Verne; Josephine (Steve) Kondas, Lawrence, Wayne, and Theresa; and special son in law Kalvin Odland.

The family invites relatives and friends to share in a Come and Go Reception which will be held from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm, on Friday, August 23, 2024, at MARTIN BROTHERS RIVERVIEW CHAPEL, 610-4 STREET SOUTH, Lethbridge, Alberta.  

Flowers are gratefully declined. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Edith Cavell Care Centre, 1255, 5th Avenue South, Lethbridge, Alberta T1J 0V6.