Michalko, Elmer NicholasMichalko, Elmer Nicholas of Alvena, SK, passed away peacefully after a battle with cancer, with his family by his side, on Wednesday, April 26, 2017 at the Cudworth Nursing Home, at the age of 76 years. Elmer was born on the family farm near Alvena to Nick and Francis (Tokar) Michalko on May 24, 1940. He grew up on the farm with his brothers and sisters attending Reil Dana School until grade 8. He farmed with his dad and also did some odd jobs off the farm. In his early 20's, he lived in Saskatoon, working at Quaker Oats while still farming on weekends and in any other spare time he had. Following the passing of his father, Elmer took over the farm in 1963 at the age of 23. Elmer met his wife Elnora Nichols while both worked at Quaker Oats. They were married on October 8, 1966. In April of 1967 Colleen was born followed by Kevin in February of 1968. In 1972, Elmer moved his family from Saskatoon to the farm to farm full time as this was his passion in life. Besides farming, Throughout the 70's and 80's, Elmer enjoyed working part time at the Sask Wheat Pool in Alvena and Wakaw, Burns Feeds and Co-op Feeds in Saskatoon during winter months. Elmer was always there to lend a helping hand to his friends and neighbours. He loved to entertain with food and drink and most of the time a Kaiser game would break out ending in a rubber match. Elmer was very proud of his farm and farmyard. He was a very outgoing man who easily made friends wherever he went whether it was at auction sales, church functions or his grandchildren's activities. His faith in God was very strong. He was active in the church also being a 4th degree knight with the Knights of Columbus which he was very proud to be a part of. Elmer is survived by his children Colleen (Gerry) and Kevin (Kathy); his grandchildren Alyssa, Brooke, Cassidy, Marlee, Mayson, Kenzie and Konnor; his great-grandchildren Rylee, Lily and Sadie; his siblings Adeline (Andy) Zerebeski, Mike, Sally Zmud, Walter (Bernice) and Nettie (Victor) Sass; and his sister-in-law Velma Olson, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. He was predeceased by his parents, his loving wife of 39 years Elnora, his son-in-law Clint Woodcock, his brother-in- law Nick Zmud and his sister-in-law Loraine Michalko. The Prayer Vigil will be held on Monday, May 1, 2017 at 7:30 p.m. and the Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday May 2, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. Both services will be held at St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church in Cudworth with Rev. Fr. Colin Roy as celebrant. Interment will follow in the Alvena Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Cemetery. Donations in memory of Elmer may be directed to the Alvena Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Cemetery. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Marc Blondeau of Kushneryk Funeral Service, Wakaw, SK, 306-233-4403.