Joan Carole Gower (née: Hamre) passed away on Tuesday, May 27th,

 2025 at the age of 89 years, after a short stay in hospice care.

 Joan was born on March 20th, 1936, to Harry and Ruby Hamre in

 Swift Current, Saskatchewan. As a child of a Royal Bank

 manager, she spent her childhood moving to different towns and

 cities and had many fond memories of the friends she met and

 communities she lived in along the way.

 Joan’s parents moved to Craik, SK in 1951 and she completed her

 high school there. She met and later married Ronald Ivan Gower

 on July 1st, 1955 at the Craik United Church. They went on to

 raise their three children in Craik as well as running the

 family hardware store on Main Street. Joan became the SGI Motor

 License Issuer for Craik for a time, as well as being a full

time homemaker.

 Joan was involved in many community and church groups, including

 the UCW, Order of the Easter Star, L.O.B.A., Willing Workers and

 spent many years leading the United Church Choir and singing

 with the Sweet Adelines and her Sweet Adeline Quartet group she

 helped form. She loved spending time each summer at the family

 cabin at Emma Lake as well as travelling with Ron when time

 allowed, making memories in Hawaii and Florida. She also

 travelled to Tanzania for a family visit and Safari that she

 really enjoyed, as well as travelling to see family in

 Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and British Columbia.

In the fall of 2020, Joan moved into Westminster Care Home in

 Regina, SK where she happily lived as a resident until recently,

 when health concerns had her moved to Grace Hospice.

 She was predeceased by her parents, Harry and Ruby Hamre;

 husband, Ronald Gower; and brother, Douglas Hamre. Joan is

 survived by her children: Colleen (Allen) Spencer, David

 (Christine) Gower, and Bruce Gower; grandchildren: Steven

 (Jennilee) Spencer, Keith (Kadria) Spencer, Nicholas and Jayden

 Gower, and Brice (Flor) Gower and Brick and Shayla Gower; as

 well as great-grandchildren: Fayth and Brandt Spencer, Aidan and

 Kieran Spencer; as well as many other family and friends.

 

The family wishes to send out a huge Thank You to all the staff

 at Westminster Care Home in Regina for all the love and care

 they provided Joan during her last few years, as well as staff

 and doctors at Pasqua Hospital and Grace Hospice in Regina who

 provided exemplary care in the last few weeks of her life.

 The Funeral Service will be held on Monday, June 23rd, 2025 at

 11:00 AM at Craik United Church in Craik, SK. Michelle Rohde

 will officiate, and lunch will be served at the Craik Community

 Legion Hall following the service. A private family interment

 will take place in Craik Cemetery. As an expression of

 sympathy, donations in Joan’s name may be made to Craik United

 Church, 440 1st Ave, Craik, SK S0G 0V0. Arrangements are

 entrusted to Moose Jaw Funeral Home, 268 Mulberry Lane.

 Michelle Ellis, Funeral Director 306-693-4550

 www.moosejawfuneralhome.com

Dorothea Exelby, age 91, died on Tuesday, May 6, 2025 in Moose Jaw.  She was born September 17, 1933 in Fox Valley, Saskatchewan.  She graduated high school in Richmound and from RN Nursing at Grey Nuns Hospital, Regina, in 1955.  

Dorothy and Ross Exelby married in 1956 followed by 7 children arriving 1957-1966.  Dorothy lived, nursed and raised her family with Ross at Craik until 2002 when the two retired to Moose Jaw.  They enjoyed a neighbourhood of many retired farmers.  After Ross passed, she moved into Points West where she made more good friends.

Dorothy was predeceased by her husband, Ross Exelby and her son, Dennis Exelby. 

She is survived by her children Terry Smith (Jim), Willie Exelby (Dianne), Dan Exelby (Kati), Gail Quinn (Stu), Margo Exelby and Tom Exelby (Kim). 

Granny was adored by many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  She also leaves behind her sister Rose MacPhail and sister-in-law Esther Exelby.

A graveside service will be held at Craik Cemetery, Friday, July 18, 2025 at 2pm.  A social will follow at Craik Community Hall.  

In lieu of flowers, please direct donations to one of her preferred charities, Heart & Stroke Foundation or the Canadian Cancer Society.

Hanson’s Funeral Home of Davidson in care of arrangements.

April 1, 1962 – May 31, 2025

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved wife, mother, and grandmother Sonia Joan Howells of Kenaston, SK at the age of 63 years old.

Mom is survived by her husband, Les; children and grandchildren: Crystal, Josh, Cole and Scarlett Inwood; Cassandra, Randy, Matthew, Brooklyn, Mason, Madyson, and Brynlee Cerniuk; Cayla, Arthur, Easton, Elliot and Evander Grasby; Candice, Byron, and Maverick Saxinger. Sisters Anne (Wayne) Willner, Trudy (Shawn) Smith, numerous nieces and nephews and their families. She is also survived by her much adored and pampered pets Chido and Buddy, best friend Norma Yelich, and caregiver Rammy Sidhu.

Sonia was predeceased by her parents Patricia and Vincent Pavelich, and her parent in-laws Doris and Jesse Howells.

Mom’s greatest joy was her grandchildren. She spent countless hours grandparenting. She was also a presence at many concerts and sporting events in support of the grandkids.

Mom was always more than generous with her time and energy and she selflessly put others’ needs ahead of her own. Her home was an open door to any and everyone, and her loss will be greatly felt by everyone who knew her.

A celebration of life will be held at Kenaston Place on June 9^th, 2025 at 1 pm with a private interment and lunch to follow. Hanson’s Funeral Home of Davidson has been entrusted with arrangement. Donations in Sonia’s memory can be made to St. Columba’s Anglican Church in Kenaston, or to a charity of your choice.

March 11, 1928 – May 15, 2025

Louise Emma Poulin, 97 years old of Oliver BC passed away peacefully with her children by her side on May 15, 2025. She is survived by 4 children, Linda (David) Booty, Cathy (Randy deceased) Gushulak, Doug (Amandah) Poulin and Joan (Daryl) Rink, 11 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren and sisters Dee (Arlo deceased) Guy and Elaine (James deceased) Glasman. She was predeceased by husband Fern Poulin, son Rick Poulin, parents Josie (Josephine Olson) and Alphonse (Ouellette), sisters Rita and Thelma and brothers Edgar, Stan, Omer, Neil, Gerry, Jim and Raymond.

Louise was born into a large and close-knit family. She was raised in Kenaston, Saskatchewan, where she enjoyed a happy life. She married Fernand (Fern) Paul Poulin on May 14, 1949, and celebrated 72 years of marriage until Fern’s death in 2021. Her married life as wife to a military man included many moves from Ontario through to British Columbia as well as three years in Europe (France and the Netherlands). Through all these moves, Louise set up each new home quickly, creating a secure place for their children. Louise was a skilled seamstress, making much of her children’s clothes in the early years of her marriage, re-upholstering a sofa with her small Singer sewing machine, making many beautiful evening gowns and curtains and drapes. She took up painting with acrylics in her 89^th year and her children all cherish her art. The smell of homemade bread and cinnamon buns after a full day of school are among the happy memories of her children.

Louise’s final years were spent at Heritage House in Oliver, BC, where she was well loved by care staff and residents for her sense of humour and her caring spirit.

A Celebration of Life was held May 21, 2025, at the Cherry Grove Estates Club House, 6601 Tucelnuit Drive, Oliver, BC.

An interment service and committal will be held at Kenaston Cemetery, Kenaston, Sask. on July 6, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. Lunch will follow at Kenaston Place Community Hall.

Donations gratefully accepted for Penticton and District Hospice Society, 1701 Government Street, Penticton BC, V2A 6J9 or at www.pentictonhospice.com/donate/#makeADonation

Condolences and tributes may be directed to the family by visiting www.nunes-pottinger.com

A study is underway to improve safety on Highway 11 through Davidson. The functional plan is looking at short-, medium- and long-term options to improve safety issues while supporting the community with future planning. By gathering input and feedback, the Ministry of Highways will determine:

• What options there are to improve safety at the South Commercial Access in the short and medium term?

• Where the future interchange will be located?

• What issues and constraints there are? An information session and virtual open house was held in December 2023 to share information and to gather public feedback.

Study Objectives

• How can we improve safety on Highway 11?

• How can we support the community with future planning?

• Future study to look at where is the best area to protect land for long-term infrastructure development

Progress

• Completed an initial Open House on Dec. 5, 2023

• Feedback suggested improvements are needed immediately at the Enterprise Lane intersection

• We will be looking at: – Interim solutions at Enterprise Lane – Long term planning

Initial Safety Improvements

• Highway 11 & Enterprise Lane – Signage improvements

• Pavement marking

Options at Highway 11 & Enterprise Lane

Three options were considered including:

• Right Turn Ramps (Preferred)

• Offset T Intersection 

• Reduced Collision U-turn  Preferred Interim Option

New Ramps:

• Low and Medium Speed Ramps – Better sight lines – Increased safety by separating right turns – Shorter wait times

Intersection:

• New Alignment to improve safety and business access

Next Steps

• Review feedback on the preferred interim solution at Highway 11 and Enterprise Lane

• Complete functional design for ultimate long-term improvements

• Stakeholder and public engagement for long-term improvements (Fall 2025)

• No timelines have been set for construction for short-, medium- or long-term improvements.

Complete the survey The survey will be open until June 2, 2025. To participate, go to https://www. saskatchewan.ca/government/publicengagement/highway-11-davidsonfunctional-planning

By Kevin Gilby

The regular meeting of David- son Town Council occurred May 20 at the Town chambers. There were no delegates. Council passed a motion to expand the King Edward and Third Street Drainage and Rehabilitation Project to include the total length of King Edward Street. The storm sewer and curb/ gutter drainage study was to run from Third Street to McGregor Street in the initial scope. The additional block of King Edward will increase the cost of the study from $7,500 to $10,000, and will include geotextile technology as part of its study.

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Kirby Manz made a motion for the Town to pay for half of the required insurance for the Skatepark Committee and Davidson Child Care fundraising events to be hosted during Davidson Days, June 23-24. The motion passed.

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Council is urging residents in Davidson and area to participate in a survey hosted by the Ministry of Highways regarding the Highway 11 Davidson Functional Planning. The sur- vey includes options at Enter- prise Lane and Highway 11 at Davidson (south access)  to improve safety on Highway 11 through Davidson. The survey is open until June 2, 2025, and is available at  https://www. saskatchewan.ca/government/ public-engagement/highway11-davidson-functional-planning

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Council discussed the latest developments with regard to physician staffing at the David- son Health Centre. A meeting among stakeholders and a recruiter will take place on May 26. A request for Saskatchewan Health Authority representation to be in attendance will be made.

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Administration informed council that they were unsuccessful in its application for support under the Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ) Program. The CSJ program is a federal initiative that provides wage subsidies to employers who hire students for summer jobs.

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Public works provided an update on work ongoing with the water distribution system in Davidson. Council was provided an updated overview of ongoing work with municipal utilities addressing water pressure concerns in the system. Communications systems and remote valving installation is to be operational within a month to permit town pressure to be fed off of pumps during peak hours and off of water tower pressure (39 PSI) overnight. Council is to meet with public works staff and Municipal Utilities once work is complete for an informational overview of the towns water distribution infrastructure.

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Operations Manager Kevin Hepburn informed council of plans to reassess all ‘out-of service’ fire hydrants within the town. Hepburn indicated a desire to repair hydrants if possible to reduce cost of hydrant replacement and associated excavation.

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Sewer flushing and camera inspection work is ongoing. The work, being performed by Municipal Sewer, is part of the town’s infrastructure assessment initiative to identify maintenance priorities.

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Six of the 17 seasonal employees have started working for the season. The Panther Swimming Pool (PSP) has already been filled and new manager Bailey Smith is presently stabilizing chemistry. PSP opens on June 2 with lessons starting on that date as well. A donation of nine deck chairs for the PSP has also been made.

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A restoration committee will be formed for addressing rusting concerns on portions of the coffee pot at the rest area near the north entrance. Sandblasting and painting of the affected area was discussed. The mural is intact and would not be impacted.

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Administration gave a brief overview of the budget prior to council’s official budget meeting on May 22.