Marie Gale Kowalchuk (Hykawy) (nee Burton)

After a short illness, Marie Kowalchuk went to be with Jesus the morning of May 9, 2026 at the age of 84 years. She was surrounded by family at the Portage District General Hospital her entire stay.

Marie was predeceased by her first husband Robert “Bob” Hykawy, in 1965, parents Ernest “Ernie” and Margaret “Maggie” Burton, brothers Howard (Ruby) Burton, George (Opal) Burton, Everett (Eliza) Burton, Cecil Burton, Ernest (Joan) Burton, and Melville (Freda) Burton, sisters Phyllis (Melville) Davis, Margaret (Elwin) Anderson, Evelyn (George) Allum, Stella (Sidney) Fisher, Donna (Gerald) Jones, and numerous extended family.

Left to mourn is her husband of 58 years, Matthew “Fritz” Kowalchuk, children Laura McDonald, Shari (Phillip) McCulloch, Robert (Christine) Hykawy, Sean (Tamara) Kowalchuk, and Patrick (Tammy) Kowalchuk, grandchildren Ryan and Tyler McDonald, Tia (Wesley Van Tigham) McCulloch, Tahlia (Matthew) Borgal, Kayleigh, Robert Jr, and Zachary Hykawy, Zoey, Noah and Elizabeth Kowalchuk. Also left to mourn are numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandsons; along with numerous extended relatives and friends

Marie was raised by her grandparents, Ernie and Maggie. Maggie delivered Marie because the roads were so bad the doctor couldn’t get to the house in time. Marie knew she was adopted, but she knew she was loved and very welcome and wanted at home. She grew up on a farm in MacGregor, which she spoke fondly of. She got married at the age of 18 to Robert J Hykawy in 1960, he later died tragically in 1965 in an accident. She later “re-met” and married the love of her life, her first boyfriend Matthew “Fritz” Kowalchuk in 1967. She worked numerous retail jobs for 25 years. She loved every minute of it. She made the largest pierogies and biscuits that I have ever seen. We will cherish everything she taught us and every moment spent with her. She loved gardening and canning in her younger years. She was a great cook. She could something out of nothing. She enjoyed being a “Nan” more than anything else in the world.

Marie was a loving wife, mother and Nan. She put others before herself and was a strong woman even towards the end. She will be missed forever. She took a piece of our hearts with her.

The family would like to thank the wonderful staff at Portage District General Hospital for making Marie’s final moments as comfortable as possible.

Visitation and viewing will take place at McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel on Friday May 15, 2026 from 7pm to 8pm. A Graveside Service will be held at the McGregor Cemetery on Saturday, May 16, 2026 at 3:00 pm.

As expressions of sympathy, donations can be made in Marie’s memory to the Make-A-Wish-Portage, 396 Seneca St. Portage la Prairie, MB R1N 3S9 or Heart & Stroke Foundation of Manitoba, 1379 Kenaston Boulevard Winnipeg, MB R3P 2T5.

A tree will be planted in memory and cared for by McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel. www.mckenziesportagefuneralchapel.com