Ellen Cerkoney, 86, Fairfield, made her eternal journey to the Lord on Wednesday, February 1, 2017 at CHI St. Alexius, Bismarck. Ellen’s Parastas will be 10 a.m. Monday, February 6, 2017 at St. Demetrius Ukrainian Catholic Church, Fairfield, with Fr. Yurii Sas as the celebrant and assisted by Deacon Leonard Kordonowy. Interment will take place at St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Cemetery, Belfield. Visitation will be Sunday from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Ladbury Funeral Service, Dickinson with a rosary and Panakhyda at 3 p.m., with Deacons Leonard Kordonowy and Al Schwindt presiding. Visitation will continue on Monday one hour prior to services at the church.
Ellen was born May 10, 1930 to James and Mary (Klym) Palanuk. Ellen married William “Bill” Cerkoney on September 19, 1949 and had one son, Edwin Cerkoney. She worked beside her husband and son on the farm while teaching rural school in Stark, Billings, and Dunn Counties for 25 years. As if teaching and farming didn’t keep this strong-willed woman busy enough, Ellen also helped her husband Bill in their meat processing plant for 20 years.
Ellen retired from her teaching career in 1978, and worked on the family farm until her husband’s passing in 2006. Even though Ellen retired from teaching, her passion for educating and working with children didn’t end. Her warm smile and saint-like patience made her a frequently requested substitute (by teachers and students). Ellen substitute taught until the spry age of 82.
Ellen made faith and family the focus of her life, and she constantly demonstrated the importance of these qualities to her community. She attended every sporting event and school program that her grandchildren and students were involved in. She also worked at, cooked for and participated in every church function scheduled. In 2014, she was inducted into the Ukrainian Cultural Institute Hall of Fame.
Ellen was a spirited woman, and left a lasting impression with anyone she met. Her kindness, generosity, and zest for life was contagious. She had a positive influence on many lives, and will be heart fully missed by many.
Ellen is survived by her son, Edwin (Catherine) Cerkoney; five grandchildren, Shalisha (Phil) Hastings, Wanda (Jeff) Kreikemeier, Bill (Sarah) Cerkoney, Carmen (Zach) Cayton, and Cody (Rozlyn) Cerkoney; six great-grandchildren, Hayden and Trayson Hastings, Zane Kreikemeier, Bryce Cerkoney, and Colt and Cash Cayton; and four siblings, Bob (Caroline) Palanuk, Portland, Ore., Joyce (Dan) Krushensy, Anchorage, Alaska, Irene (Al) Schorosh, Des Moines, Iowa, and Marge Evoniuk, Dickinson. She was preceded in death by her husband Bill on November 22, 2006; her parents; sisters, Jenny Peterson and Jane Kovash; and brother, William Palanuk.
