John and Elizabeth Kerekanich came to McLennan in 1944. Elizabeth was born on August 19, 1907 in the Ukraine and John was born on June 13th, 1905 in Uzhhorod (Czechoslovakia). They came to Canada in 1928 and settled in the High Prairie area. There they would have nine of their 12 children. In 1939 John enlisted in the Canadian Army. In 1941 he was discharged due to ill health. When he returned to Canada he was employed by the Northern Alberta Railway, in 1942. The family raised hundreds of chickens and kept cows for milk. The children sold newspapers and John did odd carpentry jobs to supplement their income. Later when McLennan became a town and livestock was no longer permitted within town limits, they grew large gardens and sold the vegetables. In 1960 John retired due to ill health. He remained in McLennan until he passed away on March 3rd, 1980 at 76 years old. He is buried in McLennan St. John the Baptist RC Cemetery.
- Trails and Rails North, v. 1, 1981, p. 237, 238