Carl Alfred Junek

Early Monday morning, May 25, 2020, Carl Junek, 95 years old, died with his beloved wife, Betty, at his side at the Esterhazy Centennial Care Home. 

Carl was born October 26, 1924, on the family farm to Frank and Rosie Junek (Knezacek) in the Whales district. He attended Whales School where he received his grade 10.  It was during these years that his love of the land and his dream of becoming a farmer formed.  Upon completing school, Carl worked at the Esterhazy Mill while   looking for land to rent to start his own operation.  He also turned his capable hands to doing electrical work for local farmers. However, farming was in his blood. His love for the outdoors and the seasons of farming: planting, watching, and harvesting, brought Carl the greatest satisfaction. 

Music was also an important part of Carl’s life. Early on he played saxophone and    guitar, but his love was the accordion. He and his accordion travelled to many functions in the area as he shared his joy of music with many in the surrounding communities. He played with The Harmony Boys and The Moosomin Rhythmaires. The last group Carl played with was a family affair, and that was particularly special. The Rhythm Masters band was made up of his brother-in-law, Lawrence, and his two nephews, Blake and Brian.

It was at a dance in Atwater that Carl met his future wife- and as they say- The Rest is History. Carl and Betty married on June 19, 1951.  Together their love and devotion for each other was built around the land and hard work.  Their farm on the highway between Esterhazy and Stockholm with its perfectly manicured landscape and pristine buildings was a testament to their love of farming and home.  In 2010, Carl and Betty received the “Recognition to a Farmer Award” at the Harvest Showdown in Yorkton.  After 61 years on the farm, they made the difficult decision to move on and held an auction in October of 2012.  The next chapter in their life was moving to Esterhazy, but everyone who knows them knows that their true home will always be their farm. 

Carl, always the tough and resilient Saskatchewan farmer, survived four major surgeries in his lifetime. In true Carl fashion, he never complained about any of them, and with Betty at his side worked hard to recover. However, after a series of strokes, Carl moved to the Esterhazy Centennial Care Home in November of 2019. With the arrival of COVID, precious time was stolen from Carl and Betty as daily visits were suspended.  It was a blessing that Carl was able to spend his last hours with the love of his life at his side, as they spent one last Prairie sunset together.

He leaves to mourn his wife of 68 years, Betty (Mozeski); sisters-in-law Helen Mozeski and Mary Ann Junek; his nephews Chuck Junek (Brenda); Dale Mozeski (Elly); Blake Mozeski (Shelley); Brian Mozeski (Janice); Kelly Junek (Carrie); Darwin Matthews; niece Deanna MacMurchy (Stu); 10 great nephews and nieces and 3 great-great nieces and nephews.

Uncle Carl, know that no one can ever take care of her like you did, but we love Auntie Betty and we will do our best.  You will be loved and missed every day.

Betty and family would like to thank the doctors, nurses, and staff of both the Esterhazy Medical Clinic and the Esterhazy Centennial Care Home for their care & compassion.