MADELINE (MANDA) LUKENDA November 23, 1921 - September 17, 2013
"The Lord Is My Shepherd; I shall not want". Psalm 23
MRS. MADELINE LUKENDA, beloved wife of the late Mr. Steve Lukenda, of Lethbridge, passed away peacefully at the St. Michael's Health Centre on Tuesday, September 17, 2013 at the age of 91 years.
Madeline was born in Sipovaca Hercegovina to Jure and Jurka Bebek. Madeline had 2 brothers Nikola (Nick) predeceased (Iva) Mate (Mike) predeceased (Frieda) and sisters Andra (Andrea) (Rudy) predeceased Milka (Millie)(Ivan) predeceased.
Jure came to Canada in 1928 alone to earn enough money to be able to bring his family to Canada 9 years later in 1937. There were many hard times but a strong faith and with much hard work they persevered. In 1941 Madeline and Steve married in Coalhurst and in 1942 began farming near Picture Butte, this is where the Lukenda Family began with Ivan, Walter (Maryanne) Millie (Tom) Stanley predeceased (Irene) Brian (Lana) predeceased.
In 1969 Madeline and Steve moved to Lethbridge near Assumption Catholic Church where Madeline's faith and devotion to the Lord, Church, and family blossomed into her life's work. In 1985 Steve passed away. Madeline spent many hours at Assumption Church volunteering with C.W.L., retreats helping the poor and prayer for everyone so that they could find the unlimited peace and love she had for everyone.
Along the way Madeline touched so many people making new and very good lifelong friends that became part of her large family. Madeline's other greatest love was her 15 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great-grandchildren who all loved her cooking, baking and the special treatment that Baba gave them all. Every grandchild was her favorite and the more there were the better it was. In Baba's last weeks it was those grandchildren that gave her the happiest moments
The family would like to thank everyone involved with Madeline's care including Blue Sky Lodge, St. Michael's Health Centre, Jackalyn, and all home care staff.
In Memory of Madeline & her love and devotion for the Rosary, please pray for the poor. In Lieu of flowers Madeline would be very pleased if donations were made to the poor, Catholic Christian Outreach - 1247 Kilborn Place, Ottawa, Ontario, K1H 6K9.
A Prayer Vigil will be held at OUR LADY OF THE ASSUMPTION CATHOLIC CHURCH - 2405 12 Avenue South, Lethbridge, AB on Sunday, September 22, 2013 at 7:00 P.M.
A Funeral Mass will be Celebrated at OUR LADY OF THE ASSUMPTION CATHOLIC CHURCH - 2405 12 Avenue South, Lethbridge, AB on Monday, September 23, 2013 at 10:00 A.M. with Father Kevin Tumback Celebrant.
Interment to follow at Mountain View Cemetery
Honoured to serve the family, CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORIUM, 2800 Mayor Magrath Drive South, Lethbridge, Alberta T1K 7B1. Telephone (403) 381-7777. E-mail: care@cornerstonefh.ca
