Patrick Karuk

David Patrick Karuk (Pat), 89, passed away in Dauphin, MB, on Thursday, October 9th 2025

Patrick was born on April 16th, 1936, in Esterhazy, SK, to parents Ann Carluk Irving (Lishnoski) and John Iwan Tsaruk (Caruk)

Patrick married Elizabeth Karuk (Huska) on Aug 31st, 1974 in Reno, Nevada. They later divorced in 2014, but remained good friends until the end.

Pat had a yen for going to places to work and live that were exciting and different. His journey began at 16 years of age, working at a gypsum factory in Winnipeg that produced paneling still used in homes today. He then went on to work in Thompson when it was still a tent-trailer city at the Thompson Nickel Mine. From there, he traveled to work on the Diefenbaker Dam (Gardiner Dam) in Saskatchewan before heading to Yarbo to work at the first potash mine—near the farm where he grew up in Esterhazy, SK.

While working in Cambridge Bay, Northwest Territories, hauling equipment past the DEW Lines on the CAT train, Patrick developed a special fondness for polar bears after seeing them up close in their natural habitat—an experience that stayed with him for life. 

After a year in the N.W.T., Pat returned to Melville, SK, to work for C.C.I.L., a farm equipment dealer. While in Melville, he had the opportunity to shake Johnny Cash’s hand at a road show.

That wasn’t the end of Pat’s journey. In 1969, he found himself in Dauphin, MB, where he met Elizabeth, his wife-to-be. Pat bought a bus and converted it into a motorhome (way before social media content creators made it cool) and took off to Reno, NV, where they were married before moving to Elkford, BC, where he worked at the coal mine.

They later settled in Sifton, MB, for 12 years, where they welcomed their two children, Warren and Mindy.

In 1974, Pat went into construction and became the owner and operator of Karuk Backhoe Service for just over 30 years. To him, it wasn’t just digging holes—it was a craft. Patrick’s workmanship even contributed to the redevelopment of the highway through Riding Mountain National Park and Highway 269 north of Sifton.

Though he never attended law school, Patrick represented himself over the course of 9½ years and successfully won his case against a bonding company that owed him money for a project he had worked on in Northern Manitoba. When the case was settled, the judge told him he was fit to write the bar exam—a testament to Patrick’s strong will, perseverance, and sharp mind.

In 1998, he started a touring business with a coach bus called Northern Queen Tours, which he later sold to a company in the Yukon.

Retirement didn’t suit Pat for long. He later went to Edmonton and took on an Equipment and Supervisor position with ATCO Gas and a major contractor—all after undergoing a quadruple bypass and out-of-body heart operation in 2009. Remarkably, he continued to work another six years post-operation.

Patrick had a love for travel and the open highway—no trip was ever too long or too difficult to take on. Even into his 80’s he was still traveling to Edmonton to visit his son, and Nebraska to visit his daughter. He enjoyed working with his hands and showed remarkable ingenuity, often modifying his equipment to improve performance and efficiency. One of his greatest achievements was installing a Deutz diesel engine into a Chevy dually.

Even at 81 years old, he was still lacing up his skates and cheering on his beloved Winnipeg Jets and Blue Bombers. He also loved attending car shows and admiring classic vehicles, a passion that reflected his lifelong appreciation for craftsmanship and hard work—owning 36 cars and pickups throughout his life, including a ’57 Chevy, two Lincolns, and four Cadillacs. His old friends affectionately called him Cadillac Pat.

Patrick loved science fiction and enjoyed shows like Star Trek, Star Wars, and Ancient Aliens, and he often found himself contemplating what lay beyond the stars.

Patrick’s life was a road less traveled—paved with hard work, grit, and wonder. From the northern tundra to the open highways, he found beauty in the journey itself. Though his travels on this earth have come to an end, his adventurous spirit continues beyond the horizon, where the roads are endless and the stars guide him home.

Survived by his children, Warren Karuk and his wife, Keri, and Mindy Loseke and her husband, Sean. His nephews include David Earl Hebert, Wayne Carluk, John Carluk, and John Hill Jr.; and his nieces, Patricia Woodmen, Deborah Irving, Tammy Morrison, and Bonnie Morrison. Patrick is also survived by many great-nieces and great-nephews.

Patrick was predeceased by his parents, Ann Carluk Irving (Lishnoski), who passed on January 15, 1997, and John Iwan Tsaruk (Caruk), who passed in September 1973.

He was also predeceased by his siblings:

Ruby Hebert (March 9, 2011),

Jean Morrison (August 17, 2019),

Mabel Hill, (February, 2024)

Dennis Carluk (June 4, 1992).

A private family celebration of life will be held in the spring. 

Donations in Patrick’s name can be made to the Parkland Humane Society.

Thank you to Dr. Van Otterloo, the staff on the 2nd floor of the Dauphin Regional Health Centre, the many Homecare Nurses, and the Palliative Care Department for your kindness and compassion. 

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