BATE/ZIEFFLIE, Verlee

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. Frances Verlee Lund was born in Young, SK. on May 16, 1936. She grew up in Davidson, married Roy Ziefflie in 1955 and together they raised a family of six. After Roy’s passing in 1981 Verlee moved to Saskatoon. She married William Bate in 1985. She worked at many jobs throughout her life including telephone operator, care aid in the Davidson home and hospital and medical receptionist. She was especially proud of becoming an LPN in 1983 and working for various homecare companies. After retirement, she continued volunteering and caring for elderly friends. Verlee’s early years were filled with figure skating, curling and cultivating life-long friendships. Music was a large part of her life and she enjoyed everything from church hymns to jazz and pop. She was especially close to her sister Elaine and together they attended the Jazz Festival, made Christmas cake and traveled to visit their brother Perry. Verlee painted, played the organ and loved having her large family over for holiday meals. She loved to watch old movies, TV shows and sports and recently learned to play bridge. She was a devout Christian and spoke fondly of her Bible study group. Verlee felt all meals should be shared with loved ones, perfectly cooked and always said that she hoped there was eating in heaven. Verlee was predeceased by her parents Ralph and Frances Lund, stepmother Edna Lund, first husband Roy Ziefflie, second husband Bill Bate, and son David Ziefflie. She leaves to mourn her sister Elaine (Norbert) Reich; brother Perry (Ardene) Lund; children Lee (Jordan) Ward, Tim (Mary) Ziefflie, Jille Ziefflie, Roxanne (Eldon)Ziefflie, and Scott Ziefflie; grandchildren Dan (Becky) Ward, Paul Ward, Corey (Joelyn) Ward, Matthew (Amy)Ward, Rebecca Ward, Brook (Kathrina) Byrns, Alyssa (Dave) Byrns, Mackenzie (Ryan) Byrns, Jessika (Alex) Agioritis, and Karissa Ziefflie; seven great-grandchildren and numerous nephews and nieces. Verlee passed away peacefully after a brief illness on March 15, 2019. Her children would like to thank the nurses and doctors who cared for Verlee the last few months. The celebration of Verlee’s life was held on Wednesday, March 20, 2019 at 2 p.m. at the Rock of Ages Lutheran Brethren Church, 130 Kingsmere Place, Saskatoon. Burial will be a private family ceremony at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate a donation to a charity of your choice. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.hillcrestmemorial.ca Arrangements entrusted to Carley Brown. Hillcrest Funeral Home & Cemetery 306-477-4400.

Spencer, Dr. Gordon

Dr. Gordon Hilton Spencer, 95 years old, passed away on March 14, 2019, in Calgary, Alberta. Born on the farm near Penzance, Sask.; the youngest of eight children to Harriet and Nigel Spencer. Gordon practiced veterinary medicine in the Westlake Veterinary District as well as managing the family farm.  Gordon married Muriel Martin from Watrous, Sask, in 1950. They started their family of five children on the farm before moving to the town of Craik in 1961. Gordon was very active in the community giving his time to such activities as teaching Sunday School, leading the youth group, steering the Lions Band, and leading the 4-H calf and horse clubs. In 1969 Gordon moved the family to Saskatoon, when he accepted a position with the Government of Canada, Department of Agriculture, Meat Inspection Division. In 1973, he accepted a position in Calgary as the Assistant Veterinarian with the Meat Inspection Division and later promoted to Supervisor, Central Alberta and Northwest Territories. Gordon retired 1988.

In Calgary, Gordon was a respected member of the Deer Park United Church. Gordon was a church elder and helped coordinate the seniors club for many years.

Gordon leaves behind his wife, Muriel, of 68 years and all five children; Dawn (Paul), Richard, Merle (Bruce), Owen (Barb), and Jenny (Mark). Nine very much loved grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren.

Gordon’s family would like to thank the staff at Revera MacKenzie Towne for the care they gave Gordon.

A celebration of Gordon’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. March 30, 2019 at Deer Park United Church; officiated by Rev. Tom Melvin. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Mustard Seed Calgary

Water Woes

DAVIDSON—When Rose Spratt saw water bubbling up out of the snow as she closed the curtains of her front window before going to bed the night of Feb. 27, she had a moment when she doubted her sanity.

It was about minus 20 degrees and the last thing she expected to see was water coming up out of the snow-covered ground.

She put on her glasses.

The view didn’t improve, but the eyeglasses at least confirmed she was of sound mind.

She was looking at a serious watermain break.

“I phoned the town right away,” she said. “I’m thankful I did because we could have had a flood here.”

Water was seeping under the snow and beginning to flood the yard central yard of the Davidson Housing Authority units on Hamilton Street. The water had reached the sidewalks at the edge of the units.

Spratt said Davidson Public Works arrived on the scene immediately and turned off the water supply to the senior social housing complex that is home to four one-bedroom duplex units.

That was the start of 12-day wait for the simple pleasure of running water. Residents were without running water from Feb. 27 until March 11. The problem was caused by the failure of corroded cast iron bolts and saddles that connect the units’ water supply pipes to the cast iron watermain.

To read the full story, please consider purchasing the March 18, 2019 edition of The Davidson Leader. The Davidson Leader is available at these fine retailers: Davidson – Stedmans, Shell, Riverbend Co-op Gas Bar and Food Store, The Davidson Leader; Craik: Palliser Plains Co-op Food Store; Kenaston: KC Distributors.

To subscribe. Phone 306-567-2047, email davidsonleader@sasktel.net or click the Subscribe button.

Hoopla Bound – Go Raiders!

The Davidson Raiders will play for a 1A Provincial High School Basketball Championship March 22 and 23 in Saskatoon. The Raiders won the Regional Final in Davidson last Saturday to advance to the Provincial championship tournament. Their first game is Friday, March 22, 6 p.m. against Middle Lake at Centennial Collegiate. They expect to see a Sea of Blue in the stands!

At the bull sale

A pen of premium Charolais yearling bulls relax and seem to be soaking up the afternoon sun as their fate is decided in the nearby farm shop in which buyers from near and far were bidding on them. People were packed into the shop at Palmer Charolais last Monday, March 11, for the sale. About 200 people turned out for the lunch and then stayed for the sale that offered 57 yearling and seven two-year-old Charolais bulls from Palmer Charolais. There were also 44 Red and Black Angus yearling bulls and eight Red and Black Angus heifers from Nielson Land & Cattle Co. of Craik on offer.

Dangerous intersection needs attention

The Highway 11 intersection at the south entrance to Davidson was once again the site of a collision. The most recent occurred last Tuesday, Feb 26. Temporary stop signs on the east and west sides of Hwy. 11 are taking the place of the permanent signs that were installed on large metal poles with flashing red lights. Those poles, on either side of the highway, were knocked down earlier this winter in separate collisions.

DAVIDSON—A noon hour collision last Tuesday, Feb. 26, at Highway 11’s south entrance to Davidson has town officials once again calling for a reduced speed limit zone in that area.

At about 12:25 p.m. Tuesday, members from Craik RCMP detachment and Davidson Volunteer Fire Department responded to a two-vehicle collision at the busy intersection.

The collision occurred when a vehicle that was turning south onto Highway 11 was merging onto the highway. Meanwhile, a southbound vehicle travelling at highway speed moved over to the passing lane and struck a vehicle that was merging on to the highway from the other side.

Craik RCMP Sgt. Robb Karaim said both drivers were taken to the hospital in Davidson to be checked out and were released.

Just because there were no serious injuries this time, Craik RCMP as well as Davidson town councillors want the Department of Highways to take action to improve the safety of the intersection.

To read the full story, you’ll need to subscribe. Phone 306-567-2047, email davidsonleader@sasktel.net or click the Subscribe button.

The Davidson Leader, Davidson, Saskatchewan