Elais (Elias) Szmutko
September 22, 1936- May 8, 2020
As published in the June 1, 2020 World-Spectator
Elais Alex Szmutko was born September 22nd, 1936, in the Moose Mountain area of Saskatchewan, the sixth child of Nicholas and Julianna Szmutko. He was the second of his family to be born in Canada, as his family was recent immigrants from Hungary.
Farm and family chores played a consistent role in Elais’ early life. Not only did he have daily milking responsibilities, he and his brothers would need to transport the cream cans over a mile to meet the milk truck twice a week. At the time, selling cream to the dairy was the family’s main source of income.
Elais’ early years were spent in Kennedy, Saskatchewan, as his family moved to a larger farm where he also attended school in Kennedy. Since Elais grew up in a Hungarian family in a Hungarian community, his first language was Hungarian, and the family continued to embrace their original country’s traditions. This was most evident at mealtime as his mother continued her background of cooking Hungarian meals for the family, recipes that Elais continued to make throughout his life. It wasn’t until he started school in Kennedy that he began to speak English.
Since Elais was raised on the farm, most of his activities reflected this upbringing, from hunting to playing hockey on the creeks and ponds as well as playing ball with his neighbours. Being part of a large family also provided many interesting and entertaining times as he would enjoy playing the occasional prank on his brothers.
In 1946, when Elais was 10 years old, his family purchased a corporate farm operation owned by Richardson Company from Winnipeg. There he and his family expanded their farm operation and were kept busy growing crops and raising dairy and beef cattle as well as hogs and chickens.
During that time, Elais would travel by horseback to Spring Creek School and attended there until he completed his Grade 9 education, the oldest level the school had to offer. With no further option Elais decided to complete his next levels of education by correspondence. He showed interest in furthering his education past the high school level but that changed the day his father had a significant fall from a barn loft from which he did not recover.
At the time he was one of two siblings on the farm, so Elais, at 21, with his younger brother Ed were compelled to take responsibility of the family farm. This began Elais’ lifelong career as a farmer. Farming for Elais at this time was focused on grain and beef cattle.
On August 10, 1963, Elais married Velma Elsie Hofmann and they began their life together on the farm. Children soon followed: Richard (1965), Rhonda (1968) and Denise (1969). With a growing family, Elais built the family home on the farm property and enjoyed working on his home, especially the yard.
Elais was very active among various communities. He was an active member of the Moosomin Baptist Church where he served as a Trustee and Deacon, including a number of years as the church’s Moderator. He also played an integral role in creating the Spring Creek Historical Society as the initial president of the association.
By the 1980s Elais took on the challenge of being a local politician, becoming a Rural Municipal Councillor for the Walpole municipality. He held that position for over 20 years as it completely suited his outgoing and friendly personality. Being responsible for the general upkeep of his rural neighbourhood, he would often drive the roads evaluating any needs, and if he ran into a neighbour willing to chat, all the better.
In April 2007, Elais retired after almost 50 years of farming in Moosomin. He and Elsie moved to Sardis, BC where they purchased a home that was close to all three of their children.
During his retirement years, Elais immensely enjoying being an active, present grandfather to his six grandchildren: Katia (1999), Luke (2001), Jordan (2001), Allie (2003), Jed (2006) and Tatum (2008).
Throughout his life Elais was able to draw people in, and that was consistent in Sardis where he quickly made many friends, including neighbours and members of his church. His days were full of coffee meetings and playing pool at the local clubhouse.
In November of 2016, Elsie, his wife of 53 years, passed away after a lengthy bout of cancer. Elais continued living at the home in Sardis. He loved living there and stayed there until his health forced him to move out in March 2020.
On May 8, 2020 Elais, surrounded by his faith and his family, passed away peacefully. He is survived by his younger brother Edward Szmutko. He is also survived by his children, Richard (Becky) Szmutko, Rhonda (Darren) Siemens and Denise (Shawn) Heppell. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Luke, Allie, Jed and Tatum Szmutko and Katia and Jordan Heppell.
He was pre-deceased by his wife Elsie, his brothers Mike, Nick, John, and Frank, and his sister Margaret.
He was deeply loved and is missed by his family and many friends; we are thankful to God for blessing us with his love and his life.
Farmers, farm groups say the next government needs to do more for agriculture
After the election on April 28, local farmers say they hope the next federal government takes interests and concerns of the agriculture industry more ...
New elders centre opened at Kahkewistahâw First Nation
It was a moment many elders on Kahkewistahâw First Nation have been waiting for—the official grand opening of the new Elder’s Centre. “For the othe...
Smile Cookies on sale this week
Today is the start of Smile Cookie Week at Tim Hortons. The Moosomin location has a three-year streak of raising the most money in the province in Smi...
-
Local businesses weigh in on what they need to see from the next federal government
-
Souris-Moose Mountain Returning Officer working her 10th election
-
Dayman running for Future Party in Souris-Moose Mountain
-
Guggenmos running for Libertarian party in Yorkton-Melville ring
-
Robinson running for NDP in Brandon-Souris
-
Fleming Pie Auction raises over $10,000
-
Alberta couple discovers and restores family snowplane found in Elkhorn Automobile Museum
-
Nearly 30 years as an assistant returning officer
-
Moosomin Visual Arts Centre hosting adjudicated art show May 3-4
-
Brooks running for Greens in Yorkton-Melville
-
Muirhead Koops running for NDP in Souris-Moose Mountain
-
Federal election candidates in local ridings
-
Silverwood Wildlife holding fundraiser April 26
-
Jim Oliver runs for PPC in Riding Mountain
-
Rhealt running for Green Party in Souris-Moose Mountain
-
Redvers Rockets win provincial championship
-
Watoto Children’s Choir performing in Moosomin
-
Eclipse Dance Competition in Moosomin this weekend
-
Playfair Daycare a finalist for BASF giving program
-
Kennedy fire chief vying for spot in Sask Firefighters calendar
-
Fleming Pie Auction this Saturday
-
Second annual Alzheimer’s Walk May 24 in Moosomin
-
Two Hutch Ambulance employees participating in Jump for Charity fundraiser
-
Mulletts retiring after 38 years in hardware business