Yvan Steblina, 88

Yvan Steblina, 88, passed away Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2006, in Kalispell.

He was born June 1, 1917, in the Ukraine, the son of Feodor and Maura Steblina. Our husband and father lived a life that exemplified working through adversity. He was born in a small poor Ukrainian village during Stalin's regime and was taken as slave labor during World War II.

At the end of the war he was in Austria, where he met his wife, Olga, who was also a survivor of slave labor; they married in 1945. They knew each other eight hours when they married and lived in a cooperative partnership for 60 years. They were not able to go back home. They were alone together in a strange land.

They finally made their way to the United States in 1956 as grateful immigrants and worked hard to be good citizens. My father believed that it was a blessing to be in the United States. He was always grateful that his hard work and skill as a carpenter were recognized regardless of his background and inability to speak English well.

After retiring, he loved to work with his hands — repairing anything mechanical, gardening — he specialized in grafting trees — sometimes with surprising results. He could build a house from scratch and was always a willing teacher. He was an awesome handyman. He enthusiastically told stories about life experiences. My father enjoyed playing cards and bingo — somehow always winning! His stories, knowledge and love will be missed.

Through the years they worked hand in hand, be it in the house or in the yard — a truly deep relationship built on partnership and cooperation.

He was a skilled carpenter, shoemaker, fisherman and plumber. He did whatever it took to make it.

He made sure his children went to college so they could better themselves. He never knew what happened to his family. He missed them and his homeland terribly.

He is survived by his wife, Olga Steblina, of Kalispell; sons, Nicholas Steblina of Kalispell, and Vladimir Steblina and wife, Susan, of Wenatchee, Wash.; his daughter, Anna Viera, of Bigfork; and two grandchildren, James Gilbert and Alexandria Steblina.

Funeral services for Yvan will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 4, at Johnson Mortuary Chapel, with Father Bratislev Bratso Krsic officiating. There will be no visitation. Burial will be at C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery.

Johnson Mortuary and Crematory is caring for Yvan's family.