Read
It is with sadness we announce the passing of Helen Read, cherished wife, mother, grandma and nana on Dec. 20, 2013 at the age of 88 years into the presence of Jesus.
Helen was born on Oct. 28, 1925 to Oscar and Inga Stromberg on the farm in Otter Tail County, Fergus Falls, Minnesota. Her parents moved to Canada when she was quite young settling on northern Saskatchewan.
Helen married Syd on Feb. 15, 1947. With Dad’s job they moved many times but mom never complained and made friends wherever they moved.
In 1979 they moved to the farm east of Davidson where they lived until 1995 when they moved to Regina.
In 2000 they moved back to Davidson where they lived in their home until Mom moved into the LTC facility in Feb. 2010.
Syd and Helen enjoyed travelling but Helen’s favourite holiday was to go fishing up north. She also loved her garden and flowers and spent many hours outdoors. Mom was known for her smile and her giving spirit. Family was important to her and each of us as a family treasure the memories we have of her.
Helen is survived by her loving husband Syd, her son and daughter and their spouses, Dale (Ruth) Read of Davidson and Arlene (Rick) Kyle of Cochrane, Alta.
She is also survived by her grandchildren Kimberly (Darren) Bull, Troy (Leanne) Read, Chelsea (Jason) Craig, Brittany Kyle (Joe Dijker) and Aaron Kyle; great-grandchildren Courtney, Brooklyn, Andrew and Emily Read, and Samuel and Tucker Bull.
Helen was predeceased by her parents and her four brothers.
The interment took place on Jan. 8, 2014 at Family Plot, Crockin Hill Cemetery, Choiceland, Sask.
Arrangements entrusted to Hanson’s Funeral Home, Davidson.
A celebration of Helen’s life was held on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2014 at 2 p.m. at New Life Pentecostal Assembly in Davidson with Rev. Russell Sparks officiating.

Joseph Peter Prpick
March 19,1933 – February 10, 2014

Joe Prpick — a.k.a. Church Joe, a.k.a. Diddy — was a farmer, community leader, blue collar worker, entrepreneur, true friend and, above all, the anchor of an incredible network of friends and family. And he was a firm supporter of the causes of the common man, giving his time to the National Farmers Union and later, supporting candidates of the Saskatchewan NDP. Not rich in the material things in life, he was very wealthy indeed in the things that really count: the love of his children and grandchildren, his spouse Sharon, and the rest of his extended family. He was also rich beyond measure in his reputation for integrity, honesty and gentleness. If you asked his opinion on something, you may not always have heard what you wanted, but it was delivered with the best of intentions and great underlying kindness and concern. He also taught family, friends and anyone who came to know him about endurance. In 1974 Joe was in a serious car accident from which he never fully recovered, leaving him with significant physical challenges for all his remaining years and closing the farming chapter of his life. It was a burden he bore with dignity. They say no old man’s death is tragedy. In Diddy’s case, this is exactly so. His death is a cause of celebration of a good man, who left the earth better than he found it and one who will always be held close in the hearts of those who knew him. As the great philosopher Paul McCartney said, “The love you take/Is equal to the love you make”. Diddy was equal to all our love … and more. Joe Prpick is survived by his wife Sharon; his children Paula (John, Sarah, JJ), Danica (Joel, Mathieu, Joseph, Dominique), Luke (Paula, Adam), Sean (Maud, Léa, Zoé) and his siblings Hazel, Ray and Bud. He was pre-deceased by his son Matthew; brother Jim and parents Emil and Anna.
Joe’s funeral was held at St. Andrew’s Roman Catholic Church in Kenaston on Saturday, February 15, followed by a community reception at Kenaston Place. He was interred alongside his son Matthew in St. Andrews Cemetery, Kenaston. Deepest appreciation to Joe’s medical team at the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital for their compassionate care in his last days, and special thanks to his nurses Peggy, Diane, Pam and Leanne. In his memory, please consider donating to any of Joe’s favourite charities, including: the St. Vincent de Paul Society (http://www.ssvp.ca); the Salvation Army (www.salvationarmy.ca), or your nearest Foodbank.

Albert “Bert” Edward Morrison
November 25, 1929 – February 7, 2014

Bert Morrison passed away peacefully, with his family by his side, February 7, at Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon. He was 84 years old. Bert is survived by his wife Elsie; daughter Darla (Steve) Allan, sons Gary (Shannon), Kevin (Adele), Dale, Neil (Jenny), Monte (Tiffiny); 12 grandchildren: Katie, Josie, Lauren, Amanda, Max, Kash, Chad, Erica, Matthew, Kristopher, Ryan and Rachael; three great-grandchildren: Colby, Grayson and Caleb; his brother Arthur (Kathleen) Morrison; sisters-in-law Leona and Justina Morrison; brothers-in-law Eric and Arthur Lutz, and numerous nieces and nephews. Bert was born in Davidson. He married Elsie Lutz, November 18, 1961, and in the space of nine years, they added six children to the family farm. In 1981, Bert made the difficult decision to give up farming and move the family to an acreage near Saskatoon. He soon embraced Elsie’s passion for gardening, and together, they produced an abundance of fruits and vegetables from their greenhouse and enormous garden. Bert joined the Saskatoon Farmers Market and could be found downtown most Saturday afternoons happily selling produce from the back of his truck. Bert and Elsie retired to Saskatoon in 1996. Bert continued to seize every chance he got to meet new people, and to share stories with old acquaintances, by volunteering at the Western Development Museum and driving the courtesy cart at Circle Park Mall. A memorial service was held at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens, in Saskatoon, on Wednesday February 12, 2014, at 2:00 p.m. Arrangements have been entrusted to Mourning Glory Funeral Services (306-978-5200)

McLelland, Ronald D.
The death of Ronald D. McLelland occurred at Saskatoon City Hospital on Saturday, February 1, 2014. He was born on NE quarter of 12-26-5 W3 near Loreburn on March 27, 1926 to David and Hanna McLelland. Ron loved and worked at farming his entire life. After completing the 2012 harvest, he took ill.
His sense of community was strong and he served on many boards and organizations. To name a few, Ron served on the Loreburn Town Council, School Board, Curling Club, Hockey League, Loreburn/Hawarden Pastoral charge, Board of Stewards of the United Church of Canada, the Outlook Hospital Board, Wheat Pool, and the Saskatchewan River Development.
Ron was an avid sportsman. In his youth, he was a King Scout, and played hockey with the Loreburn Tigers and baseball with local teams. He later played baseball with the Cranes, which were inducted into the Saskatchewan Baseball Hall of Fame in 2003. Ron also played hockey in Sudbury, and three seasons with the Lucknow Sepoys of the Ontario WOHA. It was in Lucknow where he met Agnes Conley. They were married in March 1951 during a break between his playoff series.
Ron was an active member of Lions International throughout his life. He was a founding member and Charter President of the Loreburn Lions Club. He received many certificates of appreciation and numerous awards for his service. Highlights included serving as District Governor, Senior Counsellor, member of the Saskatchewan Eye Bank Board, and was honoured by receiving his life membership.
Ron was active in the Masonic Fraternity for almost 60 years. He held the position of Master of Elbow View and Hawarden Lodges, and District Deputy Grand Master.
Politics was in his blood. He was an ardent Diefenbaker follower. Ron was elected to the 27th Parliament representing the constituency of Rosetown-Biggar from 1965 to 1968. He received the Centennial Medal, and the 125th Anniversary medal in recognition of significant service and contribution to the community and Canada. Ron continued to be involved in both Federal and Provincial politics until he became ill.
Ron was predeceased by his parents David and Hanna McLelland, sisters Marjorie, Eleanor and cousin Bertha. Survived by his wife Agnes; son Cameron (Eileen), daughter Marlene, grandchildren Chrysten, Kristyanne (Chun), and sister Marion.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations to the Lions Eye Bank of Saskatchewan c/o Saskatoon City Hospital.
The family would like to thank the Doctors and Nurses of RUH, SPH, and City Emergency Departments, and the inpatient areas for their care during Ron’s illness. Thank you as well to the staff at the Better Living Personal Care Home for kindness and care of Ron over the last few years.
Funeral service was held at 2 p.m. on Friday, February 7, 2014 at the Loreburn United Church. Arrangements are entrusted to the Outlook Funeral Chapel. A private family interment will take place at a later date.

McNabb, Robert Wayne
It is with much sadness that we announce the passing of Robert Wayne McNabb on January 5, 2014 at the Davidson Health Centre, after a courageous fight of many years with COPD. Wayne was born April 27, 1938 in Davidson.
Wayne married Glennys Caldwell in Davidson on October 22, 1960. They farmed in the Davidson area until their divorce and he then moved to Hanley where he lived for many years. He made many great friends there. He moved back to Davidson and eventually moved to the Davidson Health Centre. Wayne became quite well known as the Watkins Dealer in the surrounding area.
Wayne had two children: Janice (David) Lloyd of Davidson and Rick (Cathy Bryson) McNabb of Edmonton. He also had three grandsons: Corey and Casey Lloyd and Levi McNabb, who were the joy of his life.
He was predeceased by his parents Harry and Charlotte, his brother Orville and sister-in-law Gwen.
There was a time of sharing and fellowship at the home of Janice and David Lloyd’s on January 10, 2014. Donations in Wayne’s memory can be made to the Davidson United Church or to the Davidson Swimming Pool Fund.
Arrangements were made in care of Hanson’s Funeral Service.

Birch
Dianne Kathleen Birch (nee Bay) of Davidson, SK passed away December 19, 2013 at the age of 64 after a very brief battle with cancer. Born (April 6, 1949) and raised in Birnie, MB, Dianne met Don Birch, her future husband when they were both in elementary school though neither would ever admit who had the crush first. They married September 5, 1970 and moved to Davidson in 1974. Dianne chose to wear many hats over the course of her life; she was an RN (trained at St. Boniface School of Nursing in Winnipeg), an Administrator for the Prairie View Lodge and as well as the Davidson Hospital (Post-secondary education at U of S), worked within the health division in different capacities, a Financial Planner with Investor’s Group, and a small business owner of Reflections Clothing Emporium. She threw herself wholeheartedly into each position. In addition to her various careers, Dianne was a member of the Davidson Kinette Club for many years and served as District Governor for a year. She was involved in Telemiracle since its inception and vividly remembered being on stage answering phones at Telemiracle 1 when they hit the million dollar mark. Dianne loved the outdoors; she was an avid gardener and birdwatcher and loved walking. She loved playing the piano and singing, was involved in many choirs, and played for the Davidson United Church for many years. Dianne believed strongly in community and supported many local initiatives. Dianne was a loving and proud mother to Denise (Jason) Waldner of Whitehorse, YT and Carole Birch (Peter Swarbrick) of Calgary, AB and a devoted grandmother to Mackenzie, Taylor, and Hayley Waldner. She is survived by her husband, children, grandchildren, her sister Margorie (Larry) Birch of Kenora, ON and various nieces, nephews, and extended family members. Dianne is greatly missed.
For those wishing to, memorial donations may be made in Dianne’s name to the Davidson United Church, the Canadian Cancer Society or a charity of their choice.