Davidson, Obituary

Obituary: Doyle, Harold

web-obit-doyleHAROLD STANLEY DOYLE

It is with sadness we announce the passing of Harold Doyle, our father, grandfather, brother and uncle on Nov. 7. Harold was born March 3, 1931 and lived his life in Davidson where he proudly farmed for most of his life.

He will be missed by his seven children and their spouses, 15 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren, his brother Lorne and Marianne, nephews and nieces and extended family.

In honour of our Dad, the family is planning a celebration of his life next summer with a gathering at the family farm. Date will be announced later.

Davidson, featured

Farmers scrambling to finish fall harvest

Harvest remains underway in the district as seen in this photo taken along Highway 44 about 15 km west of Davidson on Nov. 6.
Harvest remains underway in the district as seen in this photo taken along Highway 44 about 15 km west of Davidson on Nov. 6.

By Joel van der Veen

DAVIDSON — In a normal year, the crops would be in around Thanksgiving, and by November most farmers would already be looking ahead to the next season.

But 2016 hasn’t been a normal year.

“Snow in October just changes the whole ball game,” said farmer Daniel LePoudre. “We were just ready for harvest and came to a clean stop. . . That was a challenging spot.”

LePoudre is part of a four-member operation under the name LePoudre Bros., including his sons Nathaniel and Garrett, himself and David Gauthier.

Like many farmers in the district, he’s closing the book on a frustrating month.

A dump of wet snow during the first week of October put harvest on hold for many producers in the area.

Those who had yet to complete the harvest could make only limited progress, given the level of moisture, softer ground and lack of sunlight.

As of Nov. 1, the LePoudre Bros. had several hundred acres still waiting to be harvested, including canola — some straight-cut, some swathed — and some oats.

“We’ve been able to do a little bit of combining,” said Daniel last week. “The boys have to cut pretty close to the ground.”

For the full story, see the Nov. 7 edition of The Davidson Leader or call 306-567-2047 to subscribe today.

Davidson, featured, Sports

Cyclones open season with OT loss to Watrous

Josh Sim of the Davidson Cyclones and Craig McCallum of the Watrous Winterhawks battle for the puck during Wednesday's game.
Josh Sim of the Davidson Cyclones and Craig McCallum of the Watrous Winterhawks battle for the puck during Wednesday’s game.

By Joel van der Veen

DAVIDSON — A 4-3 loss in overtime to Watrous marked the start of the Davidson Cyclones’ regular season.

The team hosted the Winterhawks on Wednesday at the Communiplex with an estimated crowd of 140 in attendance.

Cyclones manager Kirk Johnson said it was a good showing, given that the team had no pre-season games and little time on the ice together.

“We had one practice in town together and we had one skate in the city,” he said, adding that the team is starting to “get the rust off and get going.”

He described Wednesday’s game as a back-and-forth competition, noting that the Cyclones were unable to take advantage of multiple power plays in the third period.

For the full story, see the Nov. 7 edition of The Davidson Leader or call 306-567-2047 to subscribe today.

Davidson, featured, Sports

Fourth high-point title for Sigfusson

Scott Sigfusson is pictured in action during Frontier Days in Swift Current. (Photo courtesy of Teresa Bellows)
Scott Sigfusson is pictured in action during Frontier Days in Swift Current.
(Photo courtesy of Teresa Bellows)

By Joel van der Veen

DAVIDSON — Another season of hard work paid off for local cowboy and rodeo champion Scott Sigfusson.

“I’m a super competitive person,” he told the Leader in late October. “You just hope to go out and do the best you can do and let the chips fall where they will.”

Sigfusson ended this season as the Canadian Cowboys Association (CCA) high-point champion, taking both the finals rodeo title in Swift Current and the year-end title.

This is his fourth time claiming the high-point title, which he earned for the first time in 2012 and now for three years running.

At the finals event he finished third in calf roping, fourth in steer wrestling and sixth in team roping.

The last event of the current season was the Manitoba Rodeo Cowboys Association (MRCA) finals, held the last weekend of October in Brandon.

There, Sigfusson finished the weekend as both tie-down roping champion and high-point champion, also competing in the steer wrestling and team roping events.

In total, he competed in roughly 70 events this year — enough to make the season feel like “a pretty big blur” by the end.

“It’s a super busy summer,” said Sigfusson, who turns 28 in December. “Weren’t very many days spent at home, that’s for sure.”

For the full story, see the Nov. 7 edition of The Davidson Leader or call 306-567-2047 to subscribe today.

Kenaston, Obituary

Obituary: Krpan, Ken

web-obit-krpanJohn Kenneth Krpan

Ken was born September 6, 1941 in Kenaston to proud parents John and Mary Krpan. He was raised on the family farm east of Bladworth along with his five sisters Helen, Ann, Kay, Cecele and Isabelle. He resided there until his passing.

He started farming with his dad at an early age. He loved the outdoors and was an avid hunter and fisherman. He had a great love of horses raising them in his younger days.

In 1964 he married a local girl Valerie Bessey and they made their home on the farm where they raised their four children Brian, Marcia and twins Mark and Michael.

In 1966 he started driving the school bus and drove for 42 years. Like it was said, “You could set your watch by him.”

Over the years, he went on many hunting, fishing and skidooing excursions with family and friends and we enjoyed many family camping trips. We took trips to Nevada and Arizona and for the last eight years spent part of the winter in Osoyoos, B.C.

His children were the centre of his life and the farm was the gathering place for many family functions. His children and grandchildren will always have great memories of being at the farm. It was the place to be on weekends and visitors were always welcome.

He passed away at the Davidson Health Centre on September 25, 2016 surrounded by his loving family.

Ken is lovingly remembered by his wife Valerie; children: Brian (Karen) Krpan and their children Rachel (Jack and Makenna), Johnny (Bobbi), Luke (Victoria) and Jarred; Marcia (Jim) Kimmerly and their children Raylene and Ryan (Carlyne and Maverick); Mark (Charlene) Krpan and their children Tyson, Quinn and Kendall; Michael (Diana) Krpan and their daughter Sarah; sisters Ann Kowalski, Kay (Bill) Burgess and Cecele Cebuliak; brother-in-law Paul Kerpan and sisters-in-law Lorna (Orest) Marusiak and Darlene Bessey (Ken Pontikes); also numerous nieces and nephews and their families, aunts and cousins.

He was predeceased by his parents John and Mary Krpan; in-laws Fred and Amy Bessey; sisters Helen Kerpan and Isabelle Duda; brother Lewis and brothers-in-law Les Kowalski, Ivan Duda and George Cebuliak.

The Celebration of Life Funeral Service for Ken was on Friday, September 30 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church.

Interment took place on October 1 in the family plot in Bladworth Cemetery.

Rest in peace Ken, we love you and miss you. “The world will never be the same.”

Davidson, Obituary

Obituary: Manz, Sandy

web-obit-manzSandy Manz (nee Gust)

Sandy Gust was born in Davidson to Robert and Nina Gust on January 20, 1955. She is the oldest of eight children. She met Vernon Manz in Sunday School and they started dating in Grade 9. They were married on March 3, 1973. They began their life together in Davidson and soon gave birth to their first daughter Pam. They moved to Saskatoon in 1975 and had their second daughter Krista. Not even one year later, their son Perry arrived. They lived in Saskatoon for 10 years during which time Sandy enjoyed running a daycare out of their home. In the spring of 1984, they moved back to Davidson and she began a long career of working at the local grocery store for 23 years and most recently she was employed with the Town of Davidson for seven years.

Sandy enjoyed playing and watching various sports including volleyball, basketball, swimming, softball, golfing and track. She also enjoyed 4-H, sewing and crafting. She loved singing and for years was in the Lutheran Church choir as well as Harmony Suite, and sang numerous solos at weddings and funerals. She had a beautiful voice.

In 1998, after their children left home, Sandy and Vern went on a tropical vacation to Manzanillo, Mexico and soon realized they loved the weather, beaches, snorkeling and meeting new people. They continued to go to various destinations in the Dominican Republic, Cuba and Mexico. They thoroughly enjoyed these holidays and looked forward to them yearly, especially the last few with Tory and Nikki and Bill and Joan.

In 2014, Sandy began to experience health issues and ultimately, she succumbed to cancer. Sandy was spiritual, inspirational, graceful and strong-willed until the end. She never complained about her failing health and was always more concerned about others than herself.

Sandy passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family on October 25, 2016 at the Davidson Health Centre. Her family will be forever grateful for the outstanding care and compassion shown by the entire staff during her brief stay.

Sandy will be fondly remembered and forever missed by her friends and family. She is survived by her husband Vernon, her children and grandchildren, Pam and Wyatt, Krista (Shaun), Skye, Ryker, Sierra, and Ryder and Perry (Carol), Brooklyn and Luke She is also survived by her parents Robert and Nina Gust as well as siblings Les (Tammie) Gust, Sharon (Rob) Trimble, Gloria (Alan) Gieselman, Brian (Samantha) Gust, Carleton (Carol) Gust, Brad (Tammy) Gust, Trevor (Vanessa) Gust, Maxine (Ted) Skibinsky, Crystal (Neil) White, Marvin (Donna) Manz, Darwyn (Bernie) Manz, Dana Gayle (Les) Dahl, Marcia Palmer, Marla (Marvin) Dezotell and Darryl (Noreen) Manz, along with numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, godchildren, nieces and nephews, friends and extended family. She is predeceased by her grandparents, Vernon’s parents Leonard and Joyce Manz, and brother-in-law Gary Manz.

In lieu of flowers, Sandy wished any donations be made to the Spina Bifida Association of Canada, the Davidson Redeemer Lutheran Church or the Davidson Health Centre.

The Davidson Leader, Davidson, Saskatchewan