By Joel van der Veen
HANLEY — Darren Grindheim had been on sick leave from his job as a dispatcher with the Saskatoon Fire Department for close to a month before any of his doctors mentioned the word “cancer.”
The 38-year-old had suffered from a persistent cough that was initially diagnosed as a cold and later pneumonia, but it wasn’t until Sept. 20 that he received the dire diagnosis. Nine days later, he was gone.
“It was an absolute shock to everybody,” said his sister, Amber Burks. “Everybody’s hanging in . . . Obviously, it’s hardest on the kids.”
Darren’s wife Sandra died in an auto accident in July 2007. His death leaves their two children — Josh, 13, and Abby, 10 — without a mother or father.
“It’s one of those unusual situations,” said Burks. “Not often do kids end up with no parents.”
Amidst the sorrow, Grindheim’s former co-workers, friends and family have stepped up to provide for the two children, who are now living with their aunt and uncle, April and Evan Libke, near Hanley.
Judy Desmarais, a fellow dispatcher in Saskatoon, opened up a page on the website Gofundme to solicit donations for a trust fund for Josh and Abby.
As of Thursday afternoon, the page had collected $39,800 in donations. A target of $50,000 has been set, but as the site states, “We have no limit to our goal, and every donation is greatly appreciated.”
“The generosity is absolutely incredible,” said Burks, adding that she and the family greatly appreciate the financial support and help they have received.
Darren, the second oldest son of Daryl and Shirley Grindheim, was born July 26, 1977, and raised on the family farm south of Hanley.
He attended school in Kenaston, graduating from Grade 12 in 1995, and later studied at SIAST. He worked as an EMT for North-East EMS in Nipawin and later joined the Saskatoon Fire Department as a dispatcher.
After Sandra’s death, Darren and his children had moved back to Hanley, where he also served on the Hanley Rosedale Fire Department. He had been appointed the department’s new chief in August 2014.
For the full story, please see the Oct. 12 edition of The Davidson Leader.