It is with great sadness that the family announces the passing of Ann Matovich, age 91, on Dec. 2, 2015 at Royal University Hospital.
Ann will be lovingly remembered by her children Genevieve, Diana (Jim) and John, as well as other family members. She was predeceased by her husband Steve in 1997.
A graveside service was held in Kenaston on Dec. 7, 2015. Special thanks to Fr. Rehl from RUH. Memorial donations may be made in Ann’s name to St. Andrew’s Parish (Box 94, Kenaston, SK S0G 1A0) or to a charity of one’s choice. Arrangements entrusted to Saskatoon Funeral Home (306-244-5577).
KENASTON — Police are investigating the disappearance of a Saskatoon woman who was last seen in the Kenaston area earlier this week.
Sheree Fertuck, 51, formerly of Kenaston, was last seen leaving her family’s farmyard east of the village near Highway 15 around 1:30 p.m. on Monday, according to a news release issued by Saskatoon RCMP.
Her semi truck, which she uses to haul gravel, was found around 8 a.m. on Tuesday at a gravel pit, further east off the highway.
Fertuck is described as around 5’4″ in height, 250 lbs. with greying brown hair and blue eyes. She was last seen wearing grey sweat pants, a grey sweater and white running shoes.
Sheree is the daughter of Juliann and the late Michael Sorotski of the Kenaston district. She resides in Saskatoon. She and her husband, Greg Fertuck, have three children.
Police are continuing their investigation.
Anyone with relevant information is asked to contact the Saskatoon RCMP at 306-975-5145 or Saskatchewan Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
Members of the Emergency Response Team — from left, Terry Benson, Rikki Chobotuk, Laura Friesen, Brian Harrison and Tom Willms — pose with the custom cake designed by Amanda Bell. (Photos courtesy of Gary Boehm/GDB Imaging Photography)
By Joel van der Veen
DUNDURN — The fund for Dundurn’s new fire hall got a major boost as the community gathered for the lighting of the Memory Tree late last month.
Organizers said the project has raised more than $15,000 this year, and with donations still coming in, the total could exceed $20,000.
The ceremony on Nov. 27 included the singing of Christmas carols, lots of homemade goodies and a time to remember loved ones.
“It was a wonderful, moving ceremony,” said organizer Rosalind Arndt, part of the six-member committee behind this year’s program. “It was just so nice.”
Arndt estimated the crowd in attendance at over 100 people, including several members of the Dundurn Emergency Response Team.
Now in its fourth year, the memory tree lighting ceremony, initiated by Glen Cline, has become something of an annual tradition for Dundurn and area residents.
The tree, located outside the Dundurn Community Hall, was decorated by Patty and Sam Posnikoff. It will continue to be lit until mid-January.
Residents were invited to purchase a bulb for $20 in memory of a loved one, while personal or corporate donations and sponsorships were also accepted.
Arndt said there were upwards of 25 corporate sponsors this year. All donations in excess of $200 are recognized on a permanent plaque made by Waylyn Signs.
The Friday night program was emceed by Steve Menshenfriend and led off with the singing of “O Canada” by Brenda Presnell. Reaschelle Higginbotham and Courtney Schroeder read the list of people being remembered and those who had purchased the bulbs in their memory.
A group of students from Dundurn Elementary School, led by vice-principal Kirsten Tucker, sang a selection of Christmas carols. Dundurn students were also responsible for the paper angels that adorned the hall.
Baked goods, many of them homemade, were donated by community members for the occasion, while a special cake in the shape of a tree was provided by Amanda Bell.
Arndt said the memory tree project raised just over $43,000 for the new hall in its first three years. Donations are still being accepted through the office of the Rural Municipality of Dundurn.
Serving on the committee along with Arnst were Barb Olyniuk, Tanya Richmond, Alysia Kuzma, Carolyn Cartwright and Patty Posnikoff.
Scott Sigfusson, left, and Logan Kadlec display the buckles they received at the Canadian Cowboys Association finals rodeo in November.
By Joel van der Veen
REGINA — It was Scott Sigfusson’s best rodeo season yet — and considering how he’s done in past years, that’s no small feat.
The local cowboy ended the year as the Canadian Cowboys Association (CCA) high-point champion for the third time, receiving his buckle on Nov. 27 following the finals rodeo at Canadian Western Agribition.
“It’s super exciting to have that good of a year,” said Scott, the son of Ross and Jannice Sigfusson of Davidson.
As usual, Sigfusson had a full season, competing in close to 60 events, and enjoying plenty of success.
In October he competed in the Manitoba Rodeo Cowboys Association’s finals rodeo in Brandon, taking top honours in tie-down roping and also earning the high-point championship there.
Sigfusson took part in three events in the CCA finals, finishing first in tie-down roping, second in steer wrestling and second in team roping with his partner Jim-Bob Gomersall.
He said the year was his best so far in terms of results, adding that it’s the kind of season he used to dream of having.
Sigfusson added that he finished the year in good physical shape as well, with only a few minor bumps and bruises.
Having spent the season as a rider on the community pasture at Kerrobert, he is now back in Davidson for the winter, working with ranchers David and Juanita Esmond.
Sigfusson said he purchased some young horses this fall and plans to continue practising and training throughout the winter.
“I want to keep doing it as long as my body will let me,” said Sigfusson, who turned 27 this month.
Another local rider, Logan Kadlec, also shared the spotlight during the CCA finals rodeo as one of two bullfighters working during the event, protecting bullriders from the animals during the competitions.
Kadlec, 24, the son of Murray and Gloria Kadlec of Bladworth, said he’s been riding bulls for several years, but this was his first full season as a bullfighter.
He said he was “tired of getting hurt” and added that bullfighting offers multiple benefits, including both a great adrenalin rush and a regular paycheque.
For the full story, please see the Dec. 7 edition of The Davidson Leader.
Parker Smith of the Davidson Raiders attempts a shot during Thursday’s game against the Central Butte Bulldogs.
By Joel van der Veen
DAVIDSON — It’s been almost a decade since Kim Rettger began coaching basketball with a team of Grade 3 boys.
Rettger, who also coached the senior boys team then, said the younger kids would come along on a weekend tournament and, after the competition was finished, challenge the older boys to a scrimmage.
“They saw a group of guys who were just enjoying the sport for the love of the sport,” he recalled Thursday.
Roll the clock forward a few years, and those young boys — now in Grade 12 — make up the nucleus of Davidson School’s senior boys team.
Heading into a new season, Rettger said he’s got great expectations for the senior Raiders, most of whom have years of playing experience under their belts.
“They had a lot of coaching when they were younger,” he said, adding that the boys learned the fundamentals early on and were able to focus on playing the game once they reached high school.
The senior Raiders kicked off their season Thursday night with a 93-19 win over the Central Butte Bulldogs.
Alex Rettger was the high scorer for Davidson with 15 points, while Trevor Nelson and Parker Smith scored 14 points each.
Coach Rettger said he was pleased with the result but noted that with younger and less experienced players, the Bulldogs did not put up an especially challenging game.
Still, he said, instead of playing a hard, aggressive game, the Raiders were able to use the opportunity to try players in different positions and focus on strategies like moving the ball.
The Raiders were scheduled to travel to their first tournament in Langham over the weekend, at which Rettger anticipated a more competitive level of play.
He is being assisted as coach by Dave Nykiforuk, as well as several former Davidson players, including Ian Kadlec, Kattlyn Williams and Luke Edwards.
For the full story, please see the Dec. 7 edition of The Davidson Leader.
Helen Margaret Dougan was born on Nov. 11, 1924 in Birsay, Sask., to Don and Lena Cameron. Helen grew up with her older brother Don and younger sister Marguerite. After graduating from Grade 12 in Birsay, Helen attended Normal School and then proceeded to teach in Moose Range and Hudson Bay, Sask.
On July 9, 1948 she married the love of her life, Wilmot Dougan, and moved to the family farm northeast of Davidson. Three children joined this union — Barbara, Stuart and Carol.
Helen was very involved in her children’s education and other activities such as ballet, choir, 4-H and Scouts. As her children graduated and began to leave home Helen continued her own education by correspondence. In 1983 she graduated from the University of Saskatchewan obtaining her bachelor’s degree in sociology.
In 1978 Helen and Wilmot retired from the farm and moved into Davidson. This enabled Helen to become involved in many organizations in town. When her grandchildren arrived she enjoyed teaching them to read, sew and do many crafts. She also enjoyed watching their sporting events whenever she could. Her grandchildren and later her great-grandchildren were her pride and joy.
After Wilmot passed away in 2007 she remained active in the Davidson Seniors and always enjoyed a great game of bridge. Helen lived independently until March 2015 when she moved into the Davidson Health Centre. Helen often commented on how glad she was to be living there and how well everyone was looking after her.
Helen passed away on Nov. 21, 2015. She was predeceased by her parents Don and Lena Cameron, her brother Don and her husband Wilmot, along with other family members. She is survived by her loving family: daughter Barbara (Charlie) Goldie and daughter Leslie; son Stuart (Pat) Dougan and family Erin (Billy) Gust and their children Will, Eva and Georgia; Andrew and Jarrett (Chandra) Dougan; daughter Carol (Hugh) Jordan and family Ellis and Kalea; also her sister Marguerite Gallaway and sister-in-law Ruby Phillips.
The celebration of Helen’s life was held on Thursday, Nov. 26 at the Davidson United Church with Rev. Ursula Wiig preceding. Interment held at the Davidson Cemetery with Hanson’s Funeral Home in charge.
