Robertson, Don
Robert Donald Robertson was born on, May 31, 1923, at, Saskatoon, Sask., to Robert and Antoinette Robertson. He was the second of two sons.
Don completed his grade twelve education at Luther College in Regina. He also attended the College of Engineering at the University of Saskatchewan. He enlisted with the Royal Canadian Signal Corp in the armed forces in 1943. He was lance corporal with the Canadian Postal Corp in the North West Europe German occupation army. This took him overseas where he met, Joyce Holt, from, Manchester, England. After the Second World War, Don and Joyce were married on the farm at Liberty on, August 1st, 1948. They had two children, Bob and Elaine. Don enjoyed music and loved to play the piano with his friends in the Liberty Orchestra. Liberty Orchestra was a fixture in Liberty and played many gigs, as Don would say. The last gig being his granddaughter, Tamara’s wedding in 2007.
Don worked diligently for the National Farmers Union. Miles of Saskatchewan roads were travelled, meetings attended and farmers visited. He worked alongside his friend, Elmer Laird, for the Back to the Farm Research Foundation. He was a member of The Liberty Optimist Club, The Masons and the Canadian Legion. He was a member of the United Church.
Joyce passed away in 1967 and Don lived alone for 11 years until finding a wonderful friend and companion, Juliette Thorson, who also was widowed. Don and Julie were married in 1982. This greatly enlarged Don’s family as Julie brought seven adult children into the family, James, Richard, John, Mary, Lori, Thomas and Peter. The amazing thing about Don and Julie was that everyone was included. All grandchildren were mutually enjoyed and shared. The clan grew to thirty grandchildren and twenty-four plus great-grandchildren.
Don and Julie shared great times together. When life got too busy watching the grandchildren, Don would say, it’s time that we got away! They would usually drive to the coast, visiting relatives along the way. Julie passed away suddenly on, April 12th 2004. Don has stayed busy helping his son, Bob, on the farm, gardening, with his children and grandchildren and playing music with his friends over the past nine years. He lived in his own home right up until this past Christmas.
In January he moved to Long Lake Valley Integrated Facility where he passed away on April 17th. He courageously fought prostate cancer, macular degeneration in his eyes and heart issues over the past two years. He lived a rich, full life and he will be greatly missed. Don was predeceased by his parents, Rob and Nettie, his brother Bill, sister-in-law Ruby, his wife Joyce, his wife Julie, a stepson Richard and nephew Arnold. Left to mourn are, Bob Robertson and Elaine (Barry) Webster, Carey (Joel) Hyndman, Jody (Mark) Fitzpatrick, Scott (Lindsay) Robertson, Aaron Webster, Joel (Alesha) Webster, Tamara (Jeff) Benjamin, Daniel Webster, Jim (Kelly) Thorson, Penny Thorson, John (Jackie) Thorson, Mary (Dave) Ross, Lori (Bill) Sproule, Thomas (Terry) Thorson, Peter (Cheryl) Thorson, Jeremy (Trudy) Thorson, Daniel (Angela) Thorson, Nicole Thorson, Jessica (Rodd) Zoerb, Chris (Sarah) Thorson, Brian Thorson, Katie (Jarrod) Carr, Michele (Jason) Ulsifer, Deonne (Stan) Hrynyk, Adam (Kathryn) Thorson, Andrea (Lonny) Setrum, Bobbi (Rob) Burford, Tony Ross, Randi (Chris) Strunk, Kerry (Darcy) Boyle, Robert Sproule, Patrick Sproule, Krystal Thorson, Vanessa Thorson, Michael Thorson, Evan Thorson, Ashley Thorson, and Matthew Thorson.
A funeral service for Don was held Sat. April 27, 2 p.m. at Liberty Memorial Hall
Liberty SK., Officiant – Pastor Paul Gosslin – Pallbearers – Scott Robertson, Joel Webster, Daniel Webster, Daniel Thorson, Adam Thorson, Evan Thorson, Tributes – Aaron Webster, Carey Hyndman, Chris Thorson, Register Attendants – Elaine Wille, Caroline Wolff, Usher – Eugene Wolff, Craig Wille, Scripture Reader – Lori Sproule, Soloist – Alesha Webster, Pianist – Brenda Robinson, Tribute Slideshow – Jessica Zoerb, Trumpet – The Last Post, Alana Gosslin, Private Famliy Interment – Liberty Cemetery
For those so wishing donations to Long Lake Valley Foundation, Box 94, Imperial, SK, S0G 2J0 would be appreciated. For online condolences and tributes, or to make a donation please visit www.fotheringham-mcdougall.com