Howard Merle Bisson of Craik, Sask., passed away on Wednesday, June 14, 2017 with his family by his side at the age of 77.
He was predeceased by his parents Mae and Eddie Bisson and his only son Jason. Merle leaves behind his wife of 52 years Bertha and daughter Michelle (Curtis) Marcenko and their children George (Katie), Zane, and Jill and twin great-grandsons Steele and Luke; daughter-in-law Diana Bisson and children Courtney, Jordan, Kylie and Jeremy. Merle also leaves behind a special nephew Chris (Erin) Stephens and their children Morgan, Dalton, and Elliot. He also leaves behind his six siblings, Gail (Ed), Ross (Gaille), Glen (Judy), Garnold (Charlene), Richard (Carol), Elaine (Stan) and their families.
Merle was a farmer all of his life and was very proud of planting his 60th crop before he retired in 2016. He especially enjoyed following his grandchildren partaking in all of their events. A celebration of Merle’s life was held at the Craik Hall on Tuesday, June 20, 2017 at 2 p.m.
Interment followed at the Craik Cemetery. For those who wish, donations can be made to the Craik Cemetery. Funeral arrangements entrusted to Hanson’s Funeral Home, Davidson, Sask.
Harve was born August 19, 1937 and passed away July 30, 2017 at the age of 79 of kidney failure.
Harve was born at Fairview, Alta., to Charlie and Margaret Friedel. He was the tenth child of a family of 12. He was a private man and didn’t talk much about his past, but family meant the world to him. Every time a family member passed away they took a little bit of Harve with them.
Harve was predeceased by his mother and father, brothers: Willy, Art, Tony and Charlie; sisters: Shirley, Lorraine, Pauline and Ann; and two nephews, Herb and Lowell.
Harve is survived by brothers, Earl (Marilyn), Herbie (Jean) and sister Alice (Kevin) plus many nieces and nephews.
Harve was in the newspaper business from a young age. Then the opportunity came for him to buy the Craik Weekly News from Lee Bronson and Charlie Hantscharuk. Everything Harve accomplished he did on his own, even though he didn’t have a high school education. And this is where his life began in Craik.
Harve was a very active member in the Lions and Legion keeping his memberships right to his passing. He made a lot of good friends through these organizations.
We all saw Harve at his worst, cantankerous, mean and miserable. But I’m sure we all saw the soft, kind and fun side as well.
Bill Langford was there with Harve always by his side in Moose Jaw driving him to dialysis, etc. until winter. A very good friend.
The Care Home that Harve resided at was Chez Nous in Moose Jaw, they treated him so well and Mano, Lisa and Lisa’s husband Greg became good friends of Harve’s just to name a few. They all went above and beyond their duties for Harve.
Howard Zentner and his son Grayson and family became a very big part of Harve’s life in Moose Jaw. The family can’t thank you enough Howard for all you did for him and being such a good friend.
Last but not least, Alice would like to mention the loving care Todd Lockwood at Hanson’s Funeral Home gave Harve and the compassion he showed to her, she had never dealt with this kind of care through a funeral home before and can’t say enough good words about Hanson’s.
I feel very fortunate, approximately one month ago I went and had lunch with Harve at Chez Nous, we had a very nice time and a real good visit. Unfortunately things went downhill fast from that day on.
No matter where he was, he always wanted to know how everyone was and what they were doing in Craik. He loved Craik and always called it home. Harve also brought me a new sister, Alice, I love you girl.
Seifert, Albert Bruno April 22, 1950 — July 15, 2017
Albert Seifert, much loved son, brother, uncle and great-uncle, was called away to be with his mother Luise on July 15 at the age of 67 years. He was born in Germany in 1950, family moving to Canada to a farm near Bladworth, Sask., in 1953.
Albert, usually always called Abe, graduated school in 1968. He lived on the farm with mom, who passed away in 2005, and dad till he passed. In winter he worked in the north country on seismic for 16 years. He never quit working.
He is survived by his dad, Bruno, sister Heimke (Dan) Campbell, brother George (Melody) and their respective families.
He was predeceased by his mother Anna Luise.
A celebration of his life was held at the Bladworth Elks Hall on August 11, 2017 at 2 p.m., with interment at Bladworth Cemetery. Lunch and fellowship followed at the Bladworth Hall.
For those so wishing, memorial donations in memory of Albert may be directed to the Bladworth Elks, Bladworth Cemetery Fund, Davidson Health Trust Fund or a charity of choice.
Arrangements were in care of Hanson’s Funeral Home of Davidson.
Farmer and sculptor Don Wilkins has donated his latest creation, a metal sculpture depicting two ravens poking at a nest, to the Town of Davidson.
By Joel van der Veen
DAVIDSON — Not everyone may like Don Wilkins’s latest creation.
The Girvin-area farmer and sculptor told Davidson town council, somewhat tongue-in-cheek, that his new metal sculpture, depicting two ravens poking at a nest, may not sit well with those who regard the birds as pests.
“I know the subject matter is a bit controversial,” he said, adding later, “I think everybody respects a raven.”
Wilkins visited as a delegate during town council’s regular meeting on Tuesday to discuss the raven sculpture, which he offered as a gift to the town.
Gratitude was evident on the faces of the mayor and councillors as they accepted the gift.
“We appreciate what you’ve done for us, it’s just fantastic,” said Mayor Tyler Alexander.
Wilkins’s metal sculptures, depicting scenes from the region’s history, are a fixture along Highway 11.
Among his works are a total of 16 reproductions of Red River carts, designed after the two-wheeled carts used by 19th-century Métis settlers.
Wilkins said he envisions the raven sculpture being placed on a pole between 15 and 18 feet high, along with an interpretive plaque.
“I need a substantial pole underneath it,” he said, adding that suspending the sculpture would protect it from vandalism or theft.
Wilkins said he sought input from the council as to where the sculpture should be placed, in hopes that it could be installed by this fall.
He and the councillors discussed some potential locations, including the business district, the rest stop and the walking trail, with a decision to be made in the near future.
Council also agreed that Communities in Bloom should be consulted if the sculpture is to be located on property maintained by that committee.
Alexander offered the use of town equipment to aid in the sculpture’s installation.
Randy Urlacher gives spectators a refreshing blast from the fire hose during Strongfield’s parade on July 15. Randy was riding on the back of the Loreburn fire truck along with Luke Glubis, Taylor South and Victor Dutkiewicz.
By Joel van der Veen
STRONGFIELD — Serving three meals for hundreds of people last Saturday made for a busy day for volunteers at the Strongfield hall.
“It just seemed like we went from one meal to the next,” said Brandy Losie, adding that the atmosphere elsewhere in the village was more relaxed.
“It’s small, so people just want to walk around and look where they used to live.”
Strongfield celebrated its 105th anniversary, as well as the 150th anniversary of Canada’s Confederation, with a full day of events on July 15.
A pancake breakfast on Saturday morning drew close to 200 people, with around 180 returning for a barbecue lunch and 165 enjoying a pulled-pork supper.
Losie, the village’s administrator, said Strongfield usually has a small summer parade to celebrate Dick Tastad’s birthday, typically held on a weekday.
This year, she said, they decided to hold the parade on a Saturday in hopes of drawing a larger crowd.
They picked July 15, knowing that the Hutchinson-Taylor family reunion was happening the same weekend, with around 60 people expected to attend.
Losie said the scheduling worked out well, adding, “I was happy to see so many people.”
The village received some sprucing-up for the occasion, including flowers planted by organizer Holly Vollmer.
Dozens of kids joined the bike parade, led by Sgt. Mark Langager, a native of the area and now commanding officer at the Outlook RCMP detachment.
They were followed by roughly 30 entries in the vintage car, truck and tractor parade. George Bristow, a former resident and longtime mayor of the village, introduced each entry.
For the full story, please see the July 24 edition of The Davidson Leader, or call 306-567-2047 to subscribe today.
Pictured are the five control towers atop the Gardiner Dam.
By Joel van der Veen
GARDINER DAM — Roger Baldwin remembers his first day on the job.
Hired in 1962 by the Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration (PFRA), his first assignment was at the Gardiner Dam, as an inspector for the shafts and tunnels then under construction.
The day he arrived, his supervisor, Dwight Kirton, took him to the top of a shaft 200 feet high.
“Don’t worry,” Kirton told him as they looked down. “It’s the last 12 feet that’ll kill you.”
Baldwin, now 78, was among the former employees who travelled back to the dam on July 14 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of its opening.
An estimated 1,000 people were on hand for what was billed as “The Best Dam Party of the Summer.”
The crowd included many former employees of PFRA and the other agencies and contractors who worked on the project.
Dignitaries on hand included Ralph Goodale, the federal minister of public safety, and Scott Moe, the provincial environment minister, both of whom spoke during a brief ceremony.
Also in attendance were the descendants of Saskatchewan’s fourth premier, James Gardiner, for whom the dam was named.
The event was a joint affair organized by SaskPower, SaskWater, the Water Security Agency and the Ministry of Parks, Culture and Sport.
Joel Perry, Saskatchewan Parks manager for Danielson and Douglas provincial parks, said 1,100 hot dogs were served, along with similar numbers for ice cream.
“We lucked out, except with the wind,” he remarked Friday, “though in Saskatchewan, that means it’s good for no bugs.”
Attractions included face painting and a bouncy castle, along with displays from the Saskatchewan Science Centre and conservation authorities.
The visitor centre was open to the public, and area musician Will Ardell performed on stage following the program.
Serving as emcees were Mike Marsh, president and CEO of SaskPower, and Susan Ross, president of the Water Security Agency.
Marsh said the impact of the dam is widespread, including 100,000 homes powered each year by the Coteau Creek hydroelectric station.
The construction of the Gardiner and Qu’Appelle River dams also resulted in the formation of Lake Diefenbaker, which provides water for municipal and industrial use, as well as irrigating hundreds of farms. The lake has also spawned a massive tourism industry that draws thousands of visitors to the region annually.
For the full story, please see the July 24 edition of The Davidson Leader, or call 306-567-2047 to subscribe today.
Howard Merle Bisson 
