It began as a non-denominational community cemetery on a one-half acre land grant from Josephat Chorneyko. An additional three acres were annexed in 1947 as a gift from William and Bessie Andrusiak. Land Title No. 82-Y-09072 describes the cemetery area as a 544.5 x 280.5 ft parcel of land in the north-west corner of SW, Sec 31, T 33, R 30, W1. ID 1652. Space-age GPS technology locates it at 51°52'24"N, 101°43'03"W. The original gift was intended for a church and cemetery, but a church was never built on the site.
Although the first interment was on August 1909 upon the death of year-old Emily Kinaschuk, the first general meeting of record wasn't until April 6, 1915. It was chaired by John Hataley. The secretary-treasurer was Anton Zaharychuk. Incorporation of the Ukrainian Peoples' Cemetery was formalized on April 1, 1920. Title to the cemetery was transferred to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in 1982. Numerous persons served as presidents over the years including: Anton Lasko, Andrew Rubashewsky, John Kalanchey, Bill Chorneyko, Joseph Pasieka, Sam Sawchuk, Mike Chorneyko, Prokop Sawchuk, and Bill Kalanchey. Other known committee members were: John Chorneyko, John Hyshka, Bill Hrycenko, Bill Marcinuk, and Bill Sych. Meetings were held on an irregular basis, often years apart due to lack of a quorum. Although a wandering clergyman occasionally presided over burials, Andrew Rubashewsky customarily administered the rites until 1930. The services of a priest became available in the following year.
Some come to mourn, some come to pray, others to pay tribute to those passed away. Your ancestors welcome visitors, and ask only that you tread lightly and that your stay be temporary. The cemetery plan, adapted from a site survey drawn to scale by Emil Rubashewsky, identifies locations and names of known interments as they appear on the crumbling headstones and faded crosses. A number of others rest in peace in graves unknown, unmarked, and lost to history.
The Settlement on the Plains
In memory of all that was good.
