Sylvia Helen Nykolaishen

Sylvia Helen Nykolaishen passed away peacefully, with her daughter Connie at her side, on May 29, 2025, in the Palliative Care Unit at St. Paul’s Hospital in Saskatoon SK, after a relatively short struggle with vascular dementia. Sylvia was born June 9, 1932, in Ethelbert, MB to Luke and Antonia Syrnyk. She was the middle child with four siblings. 

After finishing high school in Gilbert Plains, MB, she graduated from Normal School in Winnipeg and enjoyed a short career in teaching. She married her high school sweetheart John Nykolaishen in 1953, and they raised five children. They moved to Canora, SK and then to Regina and Saskatoon as John’s career advanced with the Dairy Producers Co-operative.

Sylvia excelled at everything she put her hand to, whether sewing clothes for her daughters, cooking, gardening, or corresponding with many family and friends. She was a lifelong learner, being interested in every facet of life and the world around her. She loved reading. John and Sylvia enjoyed many winters as snowbirds in Phoenix, Arizona. The foundation of Sylvia’s life was her relationship with Jesus, which was evidenced by her prayer and devotional life. She was involved in her church teaching Sunday school and served in women’s ministries. She also consistently supported many charities that share the Gospel of Christ and promote compassion in her community and globally. 

Sylvia was predeceased by her husband John in 2008; her parents Luke and Antonia; siblings Sylvester (Lucy), Adeline (Bill), Bob, Diane; John’s siblings Sam, Ellen (John), Mike (Betty), Jean, Peter (Barbara); and one son-in-law Sheldon Stier. Left to cherish her memory are her children; Diane (Rick Schroeder), Connie (Dan Sollid), Valerie Stier, Lisa (Eric Krieg) and Douglas (Cora Fay); grandchildren Graham Krieg (Rebecca), Rebecca Schroeder, Stephen Krieg (Becky), Laura Schroeder (Matt Somes), Erica Gibault (Brad), Michael Sollid, and Jonathan Sollid. Her great grandchildren, Sophie, Hadley, Nelia, Ian, Remy, Thomas, Esme and Luisa. She is also survived by her sister-in-law Pat Syrnyk, and brother-in-law Sorab Cyrus, and many nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank the Palliative Care doctors and staff for the wonderful support and care our mother received during her last week of her life with them. Donations in Sylvia’s memory can be made to Gideons International.

Funeral service to be held at 11:00 a.m., on Saturday, June 7, 2025, at Erindale Alliance Church, 310 Perehudoff Crescent, Saskatoon, SK.

Martens Warman Funeral Home is honored to be entrusted with the care and arrangements for Sylvia Nykolaishen.