Urban John Anthony LukanDecember 19, 1934 - July 5, 2012
Urban Lukan, 77, of Humboldt, died Thursday, July 5, 2012 at Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon, surrounded by his family. Urban John Anthony Lukan was born Dec. 19, 1934 at St Elizabeth's Hospital in Humboldt, the first child and only son of Gertrude (Therres) and Francis Lukan. He had five younger sisters, whom he loved dearly (and sometimes teased!): Bernadette, Veronica, Genevieve, Angeline and Geraldine. Urban had fond memories of his rural prairie childhood, growing up in the communities of Pilger, Moseley, Marysburg, Tway and Humboldt. Urban was indelibly shaped by the beautiful Saskatchewan landscape, by the endless prairie skies and dramatic seasons, as well as by the rhythms of church and community life. He attended Humboldt Collegiate Institute and spent one year of high school at St. Peter's College in Muenster. A voracious reader with great gifts of curiosity and insight, his education continued throughout his life and included University of Saskatchewan art classes audited at St Peter's College. Urban Lukan met Elaine Koberinski, the love of his life, on a "blind date" while she was studying nursing at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Humboldt. They were married June 4, 1957 at St. Ignatius parish in the bride's home community of Sinnett, SK. and made their home in Humboldt. They raised six children and eventually welcomed grandchildren with great joy. Urban was greatly interested in genealogy and the history of his family in Canada and beyond. He was also dedicated to building family traditions that are fondly remembered by his children and grandchildren, including: guitar sing-alongs, trips to Waskesiu, Christmas celebrations centred on the Nativity, and the faithful creation of an annual "Family Book" - a publication that for more than 20 years has recorded family events, history, humour, artwork and recipes. Urban was a printer by trade, working at the Humboldt Journal for some 45 years. It was a career that started in 1952 using hot lead type and printing presses that would have been familiar to Gutenberg. However, by the time Urban retired, the printing industry had been completely transformed with dramatically different new technologies such as offset presses and computer publishing. At heart, Urban was an artist. From his earliest days he had a passion for drawing, and became one of a group of painters in the Humboldt region that met regularly and worked to capture the prairie reality. His work was part of local art shows over the years; he completed commissioned pieces as well as having his art purchased by a number of collectors. For several years Urban Lukan also drew a weekly cartoon "Through the Lukan Glass" for the Humboldt Journal, and his illustrations were part of such books as "Humboldt on the Carlton Trail" and the "Let the Little Children Come" series, a resource for Children's Liturgy of the Word based on the three-year cycle of the Church's weekly Sunday readings. Urban was a faithful member of St Augustine Parish in Humboldt, with a deep love for Jesus Christ and the Catholic Church. He served on parish council and provided assistance with several ministries at St. Augustine; and he was also a member of the Knights of Columbus, and over the years served in several K of C executive positions. Urban was predeceased by his beloved parents, Gertrude (2011) and Frank (1983); by Elaine's parents John and Ethel Koberinski; by his brothers-in-law Albert Lessmeister, Raymond Koberinski, Lorne Barnes, and Ed Lang; by his sister-in-law Carol Koberinski; as well as by his nephew Jeffrey Lang. Urban is survived by his best friend and wife of 55 years, Elaine; by six children, Kiply (Tim) Yaworski of Saskatoon; Ruth Norelius of Saskatoon; Keith (Kim) Lukan of Mossbank, SK.; Mark (Allice) Lukan of Vancouver; Jennifer (Curtis) Waldner of Moose Jaw; Marcy (Scott) Giddings of Endeavour, SK. He is also survived by 16 grandchildren: Kaitlyn, Nathan, Jacob, and Anna Yaworski; Alexandra Norelius; Jocelyn and Jack Lukan; Aniken and Noah Lukan; Rachel, Jordan, Luke and Sarah Waldner; Megan, Sydney, and Claire Giddings, as well as by honorary grandchildren Jordon Brown and Joshua Klassen. He is also survived by his sisters Berni (Cliff) Albers; Veronica (Doug) Dagenais; Gen (Jim) Bonin; Angie Lang; and Gerry (Chuck) McCann, as well as by Elaine's siblings; Frances Lessmeister, Jack Koberinski, Shirley Barnes, Sheila (Greg) Erickson, Art (Marj) Koberinski, Keith (Linda) Koberinski, Edmund Koberinski, Harold (Ardyth) Koberinski, Ronald (Nola) Koberinski and Dan (Marge) Koberinski; and numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral vigil prayers were held 7:30 p.m. Monday, July 9, 2012, at St. Augustine parish with Nestor Trach presiding. Others taking part were: Nathan Yaworski, music ministry; Jocelyn Lukan and Bernadette Albers, scripture readers. The Mass of Christian Burial was held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 10, 2012, also at St. Augustine parish, concelebrated by Abbot Peter Novecosky, OSB, and Fr. Ephraim Mensah. Others taking part were: Luke Waldner, cross bearer; Kaitlyn Yaworski and Jeannine Hoey, scripture readers; Jacob Yaworski, Alexandra Norelius, Jocelyn Lukan, Rachel Waldner and Anna Yaworski, intentions; Urban's sisters, gift bearers; Knight of Columbus, honor guard; Curtis Waldner, Dan Koberinski, Ed Koberinski, Jack Koberinski, Scott Giddings and Tim Yaworski, honorary pallbearers; Chuck McCann, Clifford Albers, Doug Dagenais, Jim Bonin, Keith Koberinski and Ron Koberinski, pallbearers. Interment took place the St. Augustine R.C. Cemetery, Humboldt, SK. Memorial Donations may be directed to either the St. Augustine Building Fund or the Knights of Columbus Charitable Foundation. SCHULER-LEFEBVRE FUNERAL CHAPEL (306-682-4114)