Wayne slipped away peacefully July 28, 2015 after enjoying his morning coffee and watching a little TV. His hard-fought battles with health challenges were always met head-on with determination, a smile and considered just another bump in the road. Wayne loved to laugh and was most proud of his family and their achievements. He was born in Davidson, SK and grew up in Kenaston where he attended school until Grade 11 and then enjoyed attending Grades 11 and 12 at St. Peter’s College in Muenster, SK. Wayne farmed for over 23 years at Davidson where he lived with his wife Lorie and raised three children. Wayne is survived by his wife of 41 years, Lorie (nee Bohrson); their three children, Tera (Harley) Berndt, Sharleen (Owen) Waddington, Scott (Ang) Kerpan; grandchildren, Drew and Janae Berndt, and Keagan, Nicholas and Haylan Waddington; parents, Doreen and Martin Kerpan; sisters, Andrea (Steve) Gerich, Pam (Craig) Wilson, Marla (Lyle) Frusen; sisters-in-law Cecelia (George) Eikel, Linda Ewen, Van Mostowchuk, and many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins. A Memorial Service was held at Acadia-McKague’s Funeral Centre on Saturday, August 1, 2015 at 2:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation or a charity of donor’s choice.
Gerdie was born on the family farm North of Outlook, Sask., on October 17, 1917 and raised in the Glenside/Outlook area. She attended Happy Hollow School with aspirations of teaching. As a young woman Gerdie moved to Ontario to work in an ammunitions factory during WWII. Mom returned home after the war where she met Ernie Lawrence. They were married in 1951 and together they farmed west of Hanley until Ernie passed away in 1973. Gerdie then moved into Hanley where she was able to remain in her home until this past June. Mom cherished spending time with those she loved, singing with her sisters, watching baseball and her love of curling – travelling to various communities participating in bonspiels. Mom was a special lady and we will all miss her kindness, loving smile, great sense of humour and her AMAZING memory.
Gerdie will be fondly remembered by her sons George (Jackie), Ken (Charlene), grandsons Zachary, Simon (Sebrina); sister Mabel Eliason; sister-in-law Ruby Lawrence; numerous nieces and nephews as well as family and friends. Gerdie was predeceased by her husband Ernest; parents Chris and Marie Anholt; sisters Sophia Torguson, Theressa Wunsch and Nellie McPhee; brothers Anker, Oscar, Selmer and Oliver; nephews Lance Hamrell, Chad Wunsch, Ron Wunsch and Brian McPhee.
The celebration of Gerdie’s life funeral service was held Aug. 5, 2015 at Hanley Centennial Hall in Hanley, Sask. For friends so wishing memorials in memory of Gerda may be directed to the Hanley Evangelical Lutheran Church, or to a charity of choice.
Hanson’s Funeral Home was in care of arrangements.
Gerard Anthony Zdunich, Gary, was a family man, a farmer, a man of faith and a good friend to many. He was known to dance on chairs with his loved ones at weddings, for sharing bottles of sljivovica — having a drink with as many people as he could, and for easily making friends everywhere he went. He was a warm person who made everyone feel like family. He was a rare, great man.
Recently, Dad learned that he had cancer. No one in the world was ready to lose him, but he was invited away from this life and died peacefully with his wife, his kids, and many loved ones by his side on July 30, 2015 at Saint Paul’s Hospital in Saskatoon.
Dad was born on Sept. 6, 1945 at St. Paul’s Hospital. Along with his seven siblings, he was raised on a farm near Kenaston by Tony and Marie Zdunich. Just down the road, Gerard and Regina, his wife of 42 years, raised their four kids on a farm of their own.
Faith, family, farming, and fun were important to Dad throughout his life. He was involved in his church and in the local community donating his time and efforts in many ways. He was kind and generous. He went out of his way for anyone who needed a hand, even for people he had just met. He loved farming and working with his father, brothers, and sons. In recent years he and Gina travelled extensively, but by the end of each and every trip Dad was always anxious to get back to the farm and the quiet days he shared with Mom, days he always started by making coffee for her. He had many good friends, and always took the time to visit and share with them. More than anything else he took great joy in being a grandfather, dancing and playing with and caring for his grandkids. He was Grandpa to four and was looking forward to meeting his fifth grandchild in September.
Dad is predeceased by his father Tony, his brother Louis, his sister Laverne and his niece Elly. He is survived by his wife Regina, his kids Stephen (Sonia), Sandra (Chris), Jonathan (Elizabeth), and Katie (Corey), and by his beloved grandchildren Naomi, Isabelle, Jane, and Jacob.
Prayers were held at St. Andrew’s Parish in Kenaston on Sunday, August 2, at 7 p.m. The funeral was held the following day at St. Andrew’s at 2 p.m. Hanson’s Funeral Home of Davidson was in care of arrangements.
CRAIK — “Water, water, everywhere, nor any drop to drink.”
While not at sea, Coleridge may as well have written about a small town near a dam site.
Accustomed to having to boil water before consumption, the town of Craik was dealt a further blow last Sunday.
About 12:30 p.m. Sunday, the water system in the community was shut down due to mechanical failure within the distribution plant itself.
A small buoyant float failed to signal the water treatment plant to stop pumping water to the cistern. An unfortunate result of the failure was the flooding of the water distribution plant’s basement, which damaged pump motors and contaminated the water within.
Town foreman Jo-Anne DuBeau, already deprived from sleep dealing with a recent power outage draining the cistern, was called into action again to deal with the dilemma.
Almost immediately, DuBeau and a small army of residents and town councillors began to pump out the surplus water out of the basement to assess the damage. Municipal Utilities, based out of Regina, was called in assist in the operation.
The two electric pump motors, having been fully submerged in water, were sent to Regina that Sunday for drying and refurbishment. Meanwhile, the natural gas-powered backup motor fared only slightly better.
Local mechanic and previous water plant operator Shayne Stubbington was called in to check for any damage to the engine and prepare it for use, should the electric motors not return in time for operation.
“One hundred and ten thousand gallons of treated water gone to waste,” lamented town Mayor Rick Rogers as he watched a gasoline-powered pump drain the cistern.
While visibly upset about the situation, Rogers maintained a positive attitude about the responsive capabilities of the town, its employees and neighbours.
Amidst the flurry of activity, DuBeau sought out help from friends on social media. She invited anyone with water tanks and trailers to help out and was amazed to later see around five water tanks set up by residents and area farmers to help.
In addition to the water provided by outside assistance, the town brought in several water tanks of its own, two of which were being stored at McRae’s Farm Service.
To read more, please see the July 27th print edition of The Davidson Leader. To subscribe, email: davidsonleader@sasktel.net
CRAIK — With a little luck, weather and water held out for the Craik and District Lions and the Craik Museum Club as they shared a weekend to make memories for years to come.
Though it began as “merely” a 50th anniversary for the Craik and District Lions Club, the weekend of July 18 and 19 held more events than anyone can recall in recent years.
Museum club member Pauline Dixon said the weekend was “to celebrate the new building in the Craik Museum and to bring back a new version of the old-time town fare.”
The museum club holds an annual hamburger day. Dixon said, “We provide tours and kids events. We usually provide demonstrations. But this year, we expanded. We had a blast from the past.”
Collaborating with the Craik and District Lions Club, the partnership hosted events for all ages and interests and provided entertainment never before seen in the growing community.
With Saturday being the Lions’ 50-year celebration as a service group in Craik, they exceeded all expectations, hosting a street dance with music by Canadian Country Music Award-winning artist Julian Austin.
Past-president of the Craik Lions, Kati Ball, said, “It took five months and 11 members and countless volunteers to pull off a successful 50th anniversary for the club.”
“We were kind of nervous on Friday when there was no power and no water. We thought we may have to cancel the whole event,” Ball said. “But by some miracle we had power and water for the next day, and the rain stopped.”
With over 300 people passing through the gates, Julian Austin performed over 90 minutes of original songs and popular covers of classic rock songs.
To learn more about the Craik Lions’ 50th celebration and to see more pictures please see the July 27th print edition of The Davidson Leader. To subscribe, call 306-567-2047 or email:davidsonleader@sasktel.net
The Lang family received its Canadian citizenship in a ceremony in Regina on July 13. Pictured here are J. J., Frank, Luisabel and Dr. Francisco Lang, joined by Wascana MP Ralph Goodale (far left) and Citizenship Judge Terrence O’Malley (far right).
By Joel van der Veen
DAVIDSON — Almost eight years after their arrival here, Dr. Francisco Lang and his family are Canadian citizens at last.
The doctor, his wife Luisabel and their sons Frank and J.J. were officially granted their citizenship at a ceremony at the Royal Saskatchewan Museum in Regina on July 13.
Lang said last week he feels “immense joy and happiness” at the milestone, which only came following a long process with Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC).
“I have no words to describe how I feel,” he said, adding that the ceremony was a highlight of his time in Canada so far, and that he and his family feel great pride
to call themselves Canadian citizens.
The Lang family hails from the Cuban province of Pinar del Río. The doctor arrived in Davidson in November 2007 to begin his practice here after working in South Africa for more than 10 years.
Lang said that working in Canada appealed to him for multiple reasons, including the country’s reputation as a leader in medical research and innovation, but also because he desired “a safer environment for my children and my family and myself.”
The family applied for its citizenship in August 2010, nearly five years ago, and Lang said he’s still not sure why the process took so long.
“I don’t have an answer for that question,” he said. “I thought the process was not going to be so lengthy . . . We’ve been waiting for reasons that we still don’t know.”
Lang said he believes that current world affairs have led authorities to conduct more thorough research and investigation before approving applications for citizenship, which may have been a factor behind their long wait.
He, Luisabel and Frank took their citizenship exams in June 2013; J.J. was exempted due to his age. The three of them passed and also had interviews with immigration officers.
They were given extensive questionnaires to fill out, requiring detailed information on their backgrounds and careers.
For years, Lang said, they watched for the notice in the mail, but it was not until early July that the invitation to their citizenship ceremony finally arrived.
He and his family were part of a group of 67 people, representing a total of 30 countries, who took the oath of citizenship on July 13.
Citizenship judge Terrence O’Malley conducted the ceremony. Also present was Ralph Goodale, longtime Liberal MP for the riding of Wascana.
Lang said some of his staff from Davidson, including receptionists Corey Eddie and Joanne Elder, attended the ceremony.
He expressed his appreciation to the community for what he called its “enormous support,” including those who asked for updates on their progress.
This included the town council, which wrote letters to the federal government inquiring about the Langs’ citizenship.
