Davidson, Obituary

Puckett, Lynn

We deeply regret to announce the passing of Lynn Puckett on Jan 30, 2018 at the age of 66. Lynn was born March 12, 1951 in Coronation, AB, the oldest of 6 children, and spent her school years in the Major and Kerrobert area. She moved to Saskatoon after finishing high school and achieved her degree as a Registered Nurse, a career which was lifelong. While living in Saskatoon she met, and then married her life partner, Dwight. Together they raised 3 children while farming and nursing in the Davidson area.
Lynn’s work was always focused around health care. She was an ambulance attendant, home care nurse, and spent many years working at the Craik Health Care Center, where she met many lifelong friends. Her passions included gardening, crafting, watching curling and the Toronto Blue Jays, and attending as many of her 4 grandchildren’s functions as possible. Lynn was fondly known for her cooking and baking, always supplying the treats for hunting trips and shooting events that Dwight was involved in. She was a tremendously reliable and respected caregiver, who was always there to lend a hand to anyone who needed.
Lynn was predeceased by her grandson Allen Nelson; brother Ron Balanoff; parents-in-law Neil and Margaret Puckett; and recently her husband, Dwight.
She will be deeply missed by her sons, Bob and Michael (Kim), and daughter Michele (Gilbert) Nelson; grandchildren Trevor and Travis Nelson, Haylie and Hayden Puckett; parents Bob and Phyllis Balanoff; sisters Penny Anderson, Pat (Kevin) Mackrell, Susan (Dave) Rodzen, and Robin (Toby) Hok; sister-in-law Tammy Balanoff; brothers-in-law Jim (Fay) Puckett, Merritt Puckett; Step-grandchildren Jeff (Sandy) Nelson, Jeremy (Nicole) Nelson; step great-grandchildren Shayla, Makayla, and Jaxon Nelson.

A United Church funeral service was held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday Feb. 3, 2018 at Sacred Heart Parish in Davidson Sask, with Rev. Mathias Ross presiding. A family interment will take place at a later date.

For those so wishing, memorial donations in memory of Lynn may be directed to the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency or a charity of choice.

Hanson’s Funeral Home of Davidson in care of arrangements.

Davidson

Twin granddaughters inspire Black to write first book

By Joel van der Veen

DAVIDSON — In their brief lives, Addison and Emma Surine shared a lot of love and touched many hearts.

Their story will continue to encourage and inspire people, thanks to a new book published by their grandmother.

Cheryl Black of Davidson is the author of “Two Little Fairies,” a picture book inspired by her twin granddaughters.

Addison and Emma were born Feb. 2, 2015, to Cheryl’s son Dan Surine and his wife Melissa.

Within a few months, both girls had been diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), a genetic disease that affects muscles throughout the body.

The girls were soon accepted to take part in a trial for a new drug. The family moved from Saskatoon to British Columbia temporarily, and family, friends and others raised thousands of dollars to help them.

But the girls’ health continued to decline over the following months.

Emma died in her sleep on Dec. 25, 2015. About a month later, Addison’s parents took her along on a walk on her birthday, and by the time they came home she had passed away.

Black said the idea for the story came to her almost instantly. She published the book, her first, late last year.

“That was just a huge calling once the girls left,” she said. “I didn’t have any choice but to do that.”

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Davidson, Dundurn

Dundurn to extend town limits

DUNDURN—The Town of Dundurn’s boundaries are about to grow.

A request to add a 47-acre parcel of land on the east side of Highway 11 to the Town of Dundurn and remove it from the R.M. of Dundurn is being sent to Saskatchewan’s Minister of Government Relations.

In December, the Town of Dundurn gave public notice of its intentions to alter the town’s boundaries to allow for future commercial, light industrial and residential growth.

As part of the process, Dundurn needed the RM of Dundurn’s approval, which was granted Dec. 20. Then it had to give opportunity for the public to comment on the proposal.

The developer is DDD+Construction, the real estate development company that has built 10 homes so far in Sunshine Meadows, the first phase of a three-year development plan that’s underway in the town.

The third phase includes adding another 147 acres farther south on the west side of Highway 11.

This is all part of a 50-year growth plan for the town.

People had until Jan. 16 to file a written objection to the proposed boundary changes.

Dundurn administrator Eileen Prosser said none were received. At a Jan. 8 public meeting on the issue Dundurn’s town council heard from one individual concerned about the matter.

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Davidson

Al-Katib receives Senate’s 150 medal

Senator Pamela Waling presented Alison Squires, Murad Al-Katib and Steve McLellan with a Senate Sesquicentennial Medal on Jan. 22.

Murad Al-Katib continues to bring home the hardware.

The Davidson native and entrepreneur founder of AGT Foods was among the recipients of the Senate Sesquicentennial Medal. Also receiving the honour at a Jan. 22 ceremony at the Legislative building in Regina were weekly newspaper publisher Alison Squires of Wadena and Steve McLellan, CEO of the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce.

Senator Pamela Wallin, a Wadena native, made the presentations.

This specially minted medal marks the Senate’s 150th anniversary and honours individuals who have improved their community with exceptional generosity, time and dedication.

 

Davidson

Bylaw officer provides update to town council

Pictured is Davidson’s town hall.

By Joel van der Veen

DAVIDSON — More than six years after he began working for the Town of Davidson, Ron Klassen said he’s happy to have solid working relationships with local officials and residents.

The bylaw enforcement officer visited town council during their regular meeting on Jan. 16 to provide updates on his recent work here.

He also sought feedback from council, and almost all of what he heard was positive.

“You’ve been doing a great job,” said Mayor Tyler Alexander, acknowledging that

Klassen has faced some backlash from certain residents while enforcing certain bylaws.

Nonetheless, the mayor said, those regulations need to be enforced.

Prior to Klassen’s hiring in August 2011, the enforcement of bylaws was handled by town office staff.

Alexander said hiring an officer to carry out that work has offloaded a significant volume of stress for those employees.

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Obituary

John Westwood Smith, 1927-2018

John passed away peacefully in Davidson on January 22, 2018 at the age of 90.

John was predeceased by his brothers Robert Smith and Thomas Smith, his sisters-in-law Alta Smith and Gail Smith and his brother-in-law Lewis Smale. He is survived by his sister Ethel Smale, his brothers Charlie Smith and Walter Smith, his sister-in-law Gina Folk and numerous nieces and nephews.

John was born in Bladworth and the family moved to the farm in Davidson in 1937. He was a hard-working farmer, an accomplished gardener, a cut-throat card player, a curler, a well-known Tractor Puller and he could fix anything.

A memorial luncheon was held at the Davidson Parish Hall on Saturday January 27, 2018 at 12:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Davidson Health Trust Fund or the Davidson Seniors – cheques payable to the Town of Davidson, or donations may be directed to a charity of one’s choice.

Hanson’s Funeral Home of Davidson in care of arrangements.

The Davidson Leader, Davidson, Saskatchewan