Marlene Shivak

Marlene Mary Shivak (née Lippai) of Esterhazy, Saskatchewan, passed away peacefully on February 22, 2026, at the age of 79.

Born on September 4, 1946, to Mary and James Lippai, Marlene was the eldest of four children, with siblings Bernice, Donna, and Morley. She graduated from Esterhazy High School in 1965, and that same year, on August 4th, she married her beloved husband, Don Shivak. Together they shared 60 years of love, partnership, and dedication to family and community.

Marlene was a remarkable woman whose life was defined by strength, compassion, and a tireless work ethic. As a child, she took on many responsibilities, including looking after her younger siblings, working on the family farm, tending to livestock, and preparing meals for the whole family. In her high school years, she worked at Walker’s Drugs and was very involved in youth groups and often would play accordion at the country school dances.

During their marriage, Don and Marlene farmed various grains and raised livestock such as cows, chickens, and pigs. Marlene was very proud to be a farmer and absolutely loved it. One of her favourite things was to run the combine and bring in the harvest. Even with all the hard work, Marlene had a way of turning labour into joy. Her garden was large and flourishing, showing those around her that hard work could produce beauty and bounty. “She showed us that happiness grows not only from the harvest, but from giving it away.”

Marlene shared her talents generously.  In her early twenties, she took a Stretch and Sew course in Yorkton and held classes in her own home to teach others. She often sewed clothes for her family, including three-piece suits and beautiful dresses, and naturally sewing outfits for her children too. She was a spare bus driver, a skilled hairdresser who gave grandchildren their first haircuts (and many more), and a talented musician, playing accordion, guitar, and pump organ. She had a passion for dancing and music from the 1950s and 60s, enjoyed polkas and waltzes, and frequently participated in community skits. Marlene took pleasure in dressing up for Halloween, creating many homemade costumes for herself, her children, and grandchildren—and took great joy in playing pranks on others while in costume. She, along with Tanis and Jayden, even made a large jack-o-lantern tarp to cover their grain in a temporary bin. As their children reached adulthood and retirement approached, she and Don participated in several organized bus tours to destinations such as Arizona, Alaska, and the Maritimes. They also travelled to Las Vegas and Mexico for vacations. One highlighted holiday included taking the VIA rail train with Vince and Xander to Toronto to see several Blue Jays games and catch up with cousins nearby. She was truly passionate about her Jays!

She was deeply involved in her community and faith, serving as a communion minister, member of the CWL, and singing in the choir at St. Elizabeth’s Church in Stockholm, SK. She also loved curling, cooking, canning, making butter and cheese from the farm’s dairy cows, playing cards, scrabble, puzzles, bingo, and visiting casinos with her sister and best friend, Donna.

Marlene’s life was defined by her devotion to family. She was her family’s biggest cheerleader and there was nothing more important to her than her children, grandchildren, and great-grandson. She is survived by her husband, Don; her children: Tanis (Barry) Ellwood, grandson Jayden (Alli), and great-grandson Jax; Nicole (Niel) Knezacek, grandchildren Evan and Jorah; and Vince (Suzanne) Shivak, and grandson Xander. She is also survived by her siblings, Donna (Bill) Singer and Morley Lippai; however, she will now be reunited with her sister Bernice and her parents, James and Mary.

Her strength, generosity, and unwavering love touched all who knew her. She taught by example, instilled patience and care, and created a home full of warmth and memories. She will be deeply missed, but her spirit will live on in the lives she nurtured and the lessons she shared.

A funeral service for Marlene will be held Monday, May 4, 2026 at 10 a.m. from St. Elizabeth of Hungary Roman Catholic Church, Stockholm, SK, with interment to follow at the parish cemetery.