Obituary

Rhodes, Norman


Norman Rhodes

“Farmers never die…They just farm in the sky.”

It is with heavy hearts we regretfully announce the passing of Norman Rhodes on April 4, 2012. He passed away peacefully at the Davidson Health Centre with family at his side.

Norman was born on May 29, 1913 in the farmhouse located in the Leeville District near Assiniboia. He is the third youngest of seven children.

Norman is survived by his loving wife Madeleine and daughter Joanne (Vern) Schneider; two sons, Robert (Carol) Rhodes and Gary (Patricia) Rhodes; grandchildren, Lori (Rod) Watts, Vicki (Dwayne) Edel, Lisa (Andrew) Nelson, Kent (Vicki) Rhodes, Corrina (Brad) Riecken, Paulette (Kelly) Killoh, and Aaron (Bonnie) Rhodes; great-grandchildren, Payton and Erica Watts, Jorja and Faith Edel, Owen and Coleman Nelson, Ryan and Jenna Rhodes, Kelsey, Cody and Colton Riecken, Aimee and Dylyne Killoh, Alex Rhodes and Tristen Harder; one sister Marjorie Ague, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Norman was predeceased by his parents Charles and Pearl Rhodes; stepmother Mabel Rhodes; stepbrothers Richard, Wayne and Vernon Rhodes; sisters Florence Brinkworth, Gladys Bateman, Evelyn Rhodes, Vera Castle; his brother Cecil (Irma) Rhodes and great-grandson Nicholas Edel.

In 1935, Norman, his brother Cecil and Ed Cornish purchased farmland and farmed together for 25 years in the Sprattsville District near Davidson. In July 1942 Norman married Madeleine Ashby of Bladworth and later that fall joined the R.C. Air Force. His training started at W.E.T.P. in Moose Jaw, then to Lachine, Que., St. Thomas, Ont., and in 1943 was posted to Dafoe, Sask. as an aero-engine mechanic. He was discharged in 1945 and returned to the farm.

In 1960 Norman purchased more land and went farming on his own. He was a dedicated farmer and loved every moment of it, never complaining about all the hard work or when hard times hit. He remained actively involved until the last few years.

Norman and Madeleine enjoyed many winter holidays in Mesa with their friends. He loved his family dearly and those grandchildren stole his heart.

Norman was an active member of the Canadian Legion until the time of his passing and never missed a Remembrance Day Service. He also was a lifetime member of the Oddfellows Lodge.

Norman will be sorely missed by his family and friends.

A funeral service was held in the Davidson United Church on Monday, April 9, 2012 at 2 p.m. with Reverend Diane Eurig officiating. Arrangements entrusted to Hanson’s Funeral Home.

Davidson, featured

Taxing situation for Davidson golf club

DAVIDSON—Members of Davidson Country Club Golf Co-operative are at a loss over what to do about their property taxes.

Since about 2006 the golf club, which operates as a non-profit co-operative, has received an abatement of its property taxes from the R.M. of Willner.

But all this has changed.

The golf club’s volunteer board advised its members of the situation at their annual general meeting March 27.

“Whatever we can do we’re trying,” club president Cliff Cross said. “We thought we’d bring it to everyone’s attention.”

The golf club received a letter in September informing them that at a special meeting on Sept. 22, R.M. council decided to abate the golf course’s municipal property taxes of $8,006 for the 2011 year.

At the same meeting, the letter states, council decided to repeal Bylaw No. 01/2010 that abated the golf course’s municipal taxes until 2014. The bylaw was repealed under “Section 3 of Exhibit A ‘any other conditions that council may in future specify.’ Council remains open to considering future arrangements for inclusion in the 2012 budget preparation,” administrator Bonny Goodsman states in the letter.

In January, the golf club was advised by a letter that the R.M. of Willner, although it was not abating the 2012 taxes, would give them a $4,000 recreation grant instead. The R.M. is also giving Davidson Recreation Board a grant of $6,000.

This $4,000 grant in lieu of the tax abatement, if the 2012 property tax bill is similar to last year’s, means the golf club will be required to pay about $4,000 in municipal property taxes and $4,900 in school taxes in 2012.

“If we have to pay these taxes every year, we’re going to be broke in no time,” Cross said.

For the full story, please read see this week’s edition of The Davidson Leader.

Davidson

Wildfire extinguished

Davidson firefighters douse hot spots with water at grass fire southeast of Davidson.
DAVIDSON—Davidson’s fire department were called to a wildfire about 7 kilometres southeast of Davidson Wednesday. Firefighters arrived at the scene at about 1 p.m. to find a vacant farmyard and adjacent stubble field ablaze.
Davidson, featured

Feds pinch penny out of existance

Sharon Riecken’s days of counting pennies behind the till at Stedmans V&S in Davidson will soon be numbered.

DAVIDSON—It may be a near worthless form of currency, for after all, what does a penny buy these days?

For Sharon Riecken, there’s always the chance a penny might buy her some good fortune.

“Find a penny, pick it up, and all the day you’ll have good luck,” Riecken says. “I always pick one up and keep it.”

Riecken’s days of turning pennies into luck are numbered.

In the budget tabled March 29, the federal government announced it is doing away with the penny. The move is expected to save the government $11 million per year. According to the government it costs 1.6 cents to make every 1-cent coin.

This fall, the Royal Canadian Mint will stop distributing pennies to financial institutions. Pennies may still be used in cash transactions to make exact payment or change after the fall of 2012.

Where pennies are not available, then cash transactions should be rounded up or down to the nearest five-cent increment.

Non-cash payments such as cheques and debit and credit cards will still be settled to the nearest cent.

featured, Kenaston, Sports

Redwings win Sask Valley League title

KENASTON—The Kenaston Blizzards failed to cage the Rosetown Redwings in the fifth and final game of the Sask. Valley Hockey League championships March 31.

The Blizzards travelled to Rosetown where they were beaten by their hosts 7-1.

Lyndon Leard scored the Blizzards’ only goal of the contest with Scott McQueen and Aaron Phillips earning the assists.

The Redwings controlled the offence as evidenced by the fact that Blizzards goalie Kevin Hassett faced 51 shots. On the other side of the ice, Kenaston managed 31 shots on Redwings’ netminder Jeff Harvey.

This marks the end of an exceptional season for the Blizzards, who may take some solace in winning the Senior D Provincial championship.

Kenaston, Obituary

Little, Edgar

Edgar Little

April 17, 1943 – April 3, 2012

Always Remembered, Never Forgotten, Endlessly Loved, Forever Cherished.

Edgar passed away suddenly but peacefully at the University of Alberta Hospital in Edmonton, Alberta at the age of 68 years. He will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Lorraine, of 47 years; his children Joanne and Peter, Steven and Melinda, Jay and Cindy, and Charles and Stacey; and his 22 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren, and extended family and friends.

A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, April 13, 2012 at the Bardo Lutheran Church in Tofield, Alberta.  Inurnment will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, April 14, 2012 at the Kenaston Cemetery, Kenaston, Sask.  In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the charity of ones choice. Condolences may be made at www.weberfuneralhome.ca  Weber Funeral Home 780-662-3959

The Davidson Leader, Davidson, Saskatchewan