BANGA: MICHAEL ALFRED BANGA passed away peacefully at the Esterhazy St. Anthony’s Hospital, Esterhazy, Saskatchewan at the age of 77. He entered his forever home in heaven at 10:00 pm on December 29, 2017.

Mike is survived by his loving wife Elsie (Elaschuk) of 53 ½ years, his six children and their families: Patricia (Reg) Fairburn; Thomas (Roberta) and Tessa; Scott and Austin, Dillon; Leanne (Kevin) and Blake (Brittany); Les (Robin) and Liam, Kaylee; Linda (Darcy) and Ty; daughter-in-law Michelle and her family Promise, Brooklyn, and Nixyn; his sister Adeline (Wayne) Poncsak, his aunt Margaret Schreiber, numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives. Mike was predeceased by his parents Emery and Florence Banga, youngest son Leonard, in-laws John and Rosie Elaschuk, niece Shelley Kaspick, two sister-in-law’s Vicky and Rena Elaschuk, two brother-in-law’s Mike Szydlowski and Nick Ellis, and many friends and relatives.

Mike was born on April 13, 1940 on the family farm near Stockholm, Saskatchewan where he lived his entire life. Mike developed a great love of horses, in particular Clydesdales. He travelled to school by horse and buggy or on horseback. Even though Mike enjoyed school and had good marks, he chose to quit after grade eight to help run the family farm because his Dad was in poor health. Mike married Elsie Elaschuk on July 1, 1964. They raised seven children, who all helped on the farm. He really enjoyed competing in horse shows. Mike was exhibiting heavy horses mainly in Saskatchewan and Manitoba and also judged numerous shows, even as far away as Navan, Ontario. Visitors to the farm house would feel like they were in an award gallery with all the horse ribbons, trophy’s, banners, plaques, pictures, and newspaper articles displayed in the living room. Throughout the years, the Bangas enjoyed joining in community activities with their well trained horses.  Events included parades, transportation to special weddings and funerals, driving Christmas Carol singers door to door, and joy riding for children, friends and family. In 1986 Mike was voted Saskatchewan Horseman of the Year to acknowledge his work with the Saskatchewan Clydesdale and Heavy Horse Associations and his efforts to bring a heavy horse show to the Regina Agribition. One of Mike's greatest pleasures came in the enduring friendships with “horse people” from all over the world; many of whom purchased Clydesdales off of Mike.  For many years Mike, Elsie and family, with various teams, took part in the Thresherman’s Day at the Western Development Museum in Yorkton.  Here they were able to demonstrate methods of farming with horses to the delight of those in attendance. Mike was a member of the Qu’Appelle Valley Thresherman’s Club and did farming demonstrations with his horses there as well. In addition, Mike leased Clydesdale horses to Motherwell Homestead National Historic site near Abernathy, Saskatchewan to help them complete their authentic pioneer farm re-creation.

Mike took great pride in raising, training and showing his Clydesdales.  Over the years his home-raised mares won many All-Canadian awards.  Two Clydesdales born, raised and trained on the Banga farm were chosen to be part of the world famous Budweiser hitch. In the fall of 2017 Mike was very proud that Banga's Keeva, owned by Linda, a mare from his bloodline which dates back consecutively to 1936, won the Breeder's Cup Award for the Best Bred Saskatchewan Horse at the Yorkton Harvest Showdown. Mike was always looking to improve his Clydesdale bloodline and in the spring of 2017, Mike and his daughter Linda purchased the 2011 Reserve World Champion Stallion, Cedarlane Ouray Warrior from Brunt-Hill Farms.  Like many Clydesdale enthusiasts Mike was looking forward to spring 2018 to see the new crop of foals. Now he’ll have to look from Heaven to see them!

For some additional income, Mike worked off the farm at various jobs throughout the years. These included being a crop adjuster for Co-op Hail Insurance and driving taxi and mail truck in Melville and area. One winter in the Qu’Appelle Valley, he used his Clydesdale’s to skid out trees that were infected with Dutch Elm disease.  In the late 1970’s Mike was part of a group of parents who kept Macdonald School in Stockholm open and expanded it to high school grades. Also, he was a councillor for the RM of Fertile Belt No 183 for a time. Mike was well read on history and current affairs. He enjoyed socializing and making people laugh with his story telling and funny comments. Since Mike’s grandparents came over from Hungary, his nationality was very special to him. He enjoyed speaking in Hungarian and wearing the cultural clothing at various events. He was a member of St. Elizabeth of Hungary Roman Catholic Church in Stockholm. Mike’s family was important to him. He helped his mother Florence throughout her 27 years widowed by taking her to appointments, helping maintain her home in Stockholm and visiting often. Even though life on the farm was hectic at times, Mike and Elsie spent a lot of time with their children, taking them to church and making it a priority to lead the family in daily Bible reading and prayers. They made efforts to instill an honest work ethic in them but also to enjoy life. The children remember Mike and Elsie dancing to music on the GX94 Saturday Night Get-together program in the kitchen.

THANKS: The Banga family would like to thank Pastors Brent and Charlene Nightingale of the Esterhazy Full Gospel Fellowship and Father Rene Mangahas for conducting the beautiful “Celebration of Mike’s life” service. Thanks to Linda for putting together the video of Mike’s life. The congregation enjoyed the uplifting worship songs: “I can only Imagine”, Come now is the time to Worship”, “Ten Thousand Reasons (Bless the Lord)”, “Oh Praise the Name” and “How Great Thou Art”. Thank you to Trevor and Charlene Kerr for providing the music and video services. Thank you to Thomas for building the urn for Mike’s ashes. Thank you to Kevin Eskra for picking up the hearse from Shoal Lake Museum in Manitoba. Thanks to Darcy and Ty Korol, Scott Banga, Jacqueline Fargo and Zephrin Lariviere for getting Linda’s Clydesdales washed, transported, decorated, harnessed and hitched to the hearse. This was the same hearse that Mike had his team of Clydesdales pull in the Esterhazy 100 year celebration in 2003. Mark Muir of Carscadden Funeral Services rode with Mike during the parade. Thanks to Scott for driving the horses to the St. Elizabeth of Hungary Roman Catholic Church Cemetery. The Banga Family prepared a delicious lunch including homemade soup by Chef Thomas. Thank you to Jim and Kerri Bletsky for helping to serve the lunch. The Banga family would also like to thank the ambulance attendants, doctors, nurses and staff of St. Anthony’s Hospital in Esterhazy, Yorkton Regional Health Centre, and Regina General Hospital for the compassionate care that they gave Mike over the years. Elsie would like to extend a special thank you to her children for their practical help, words of comfort and encouragement, prayers, and kindness. It was a blessing to both Mike and Elsie during the many months of Mikes failing heart and health. As well much appreciation is extended to Wayne and Adeline for the time that they spent with Mike and the kindness they showed him and Elsie during his last few days. Thank-you to Mike’s coffee row friends in Stockholm and Esterhazy for the many years of friendship and laughter. Finally, thanks to all relatives and friends who visited and phoned over the last few months to offer support and prayer for Mike and the Banga family.

Here is a daily prayer that the Banga’s prayed as a family:

This Day…

is mine to mar or make, God, keep me strong and true. Let me no erring bypath take, No doubtful action do. Let all I meet along the way, speak well of me tonight, I would not have the humblest say I'd hurt them by a slight. Grant me when the setting sun, This fleeting day shall end, That I rejoice over something done, Be richer by a friend. Let there be something true and fine, When night slips down to tell, That I have lived this day of mine, Not selfishly, but well.

Mike Banga’s Last Words (a conversation with Leanne):

In St. Anthony’s Hospital in Esterhazy on Wednesday evening, December 27, Mike was smiling and moving his hands as though he was driving horses.

Leanne: “Dad, what are you doing?”

Dad: “I’m driving the best team of horses in Canada!”

Leanne: “Dad, who’s there?”

Dad: “Leonard, Grandpa and Grandma.”

We can rejoice that Mike was already slipping off into heaven!

Additional Thank-You …

The Banga family would like to extend a heart-felt thank-you to Bryce Paterson and staff of Peter Carscadden Funeral Service, Esterhazy SK. for handling the details of the funeral on January 6, 2018 and the compassionate follow-up care. A sincere thank-you to Mark and Sheri Muir (former Esterhazy, SK Peter Carscadden Funeral Service Directors) for travelling from Spiritwood, SK. for the funeral. Thanks to those who gave the beautiful flower arrangements. Thank-you to those who brought food to the farm house or to the funeral. Thank-you to all who donated to the St. Elizabeth of Hungary Roman Catholic Church Cemetery Fund, Stockholm, SK. and the St. Anthony’s Hospital Building Fund, Esterhazy, SK. Thanks to the Catholic Community who offered Masses in Mike’s memory. Thanks to those who donated Gideon Bibles as a Christian outreach in celebration of Mike’s life. Also thank-you to Brenda and Terri of The Miner-Journal, Esterhazy, SK. for helping edit Mike’s obituary for the January 22, 2018 newspaper edition. 

Thank-you for your kindness.

GOD BLESS YOU!

The BANGA FAMILY

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