All posts by Tara de Ryk

Obituary

Ad Proof

Hugh David Miller
Dec. 9, 1929 – Sept. 8, 2013
Hugh Miller passed away at Parkside Extendicare in Regina, Sask. on Sunday, Sept. 8, 2013 after a brief battle with cancer. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him.
Hugh was born and raised in Davidson, Sask. He moved to Regina to work at Sask. Cement Co. and later on in a new career as a Health and Safety officer for the Sask. Government. In retirement he enjoyed taking care of his home and family and travelled.
At his request no formal funeral will be held, instead a Celebration of his life will be held in Davidson, Sask. in December 2013. Anyone wishing to attend can contact Terry Monuik at 250-337-4037 or email timonuik@shaw.ca and details will be provided.

Davidson

Master masons restore Robinson Block

The next time you drive or walk by Steven Barlow’s brick building on Railway Avenue, stop, look up and learn to appreciate.
Barlow, who operates a registered massage therapy clinic inside, sees the building as a piece of art.
He’s been steadily restoring it for the last couple of years since he bought it from Dr. Al-Katib in 2011. He says most people fail to notice its architectural features because it is so close to the street.
There are three brick pilasters at the top and two arches that gracefully cover the second-storey windows.
To get a better look, try stepping back, going as far as the railway tracks. From this distance take a trip back in time and imagine you are a passenger on a Canadian Northern Railway train, pulling into Davidson for the first time. It is from this perspective the building is meant to be viewed. Back then the railway, not the highway, was the town’s main street.
Brick buildings like Barlow’s, although modest in size, were built not just for function, but also for beauty. They were to impress people and to demonstrate that this is a progressive, prosperous community where a businessman could afford to erect a building that would last a century.
Now that it’s in Barlow’s care, it should last another 100 years.
The building on Railway Avenue was built in 1906 by general merchant W. J. Robinson and was known as the “Robinson Block”. It became a medical centre in 1908 when Dr. H. G. Craig arrived in Davidson and opened an office in the brick building. Ever since, the main floor served as a medical clinic until Dr. Al-Katib moved his practice to Saskatoon in 2001.
Barlow has invested much time and money restoring the solid brick building and its stone foundation.
The most recent phase of the work was completed last week when masons, who have spent most of the summer re-pointing the brick on the front wall, packed up their scaffolding and headed for home.
Barlow is pleased with their work.
Master Stone Masonry did the restoration.
Last week, master stonemason Wayne Kent was on the job.
“My great-grandfather was a stonemason, my grandfather was a stonemason. My father was a mason, but he figured there was a warmer way to make a living,” says Kent, who followed his grandfather into the family profession, which, he jokes, is also one of the world’s oldest. Kent is proud that his son Adam now owns the company, carrying on the family tradition.
He said he and Adam were splitting stones in a field and nearby was a house that stood on a stone foundation built by his great-grandfather and grandfather.
That day, “my son was the fifth generation stone mason splitting stone in that yard,” Kent says.
To read more please see the Sept. 16 print edition of The Davidson Leader.

Obituary

obit Jess_Olga1

JESS

It is with sadness the family of Ollie Jess announces her passing on Wednesday, September 11, 2013, four days after celebrating her 89th birthday. Olga “Ollie” Joan Jess was born September 7, 1924 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Ollie was born to John and Katherine Hryhorash, the second of four children. She met Henry Jess in post war Winnipeg and the two were married June 16, 1945. Ollie and Henry moved to Saskatchewan and took up farming in the Davidson area. Ollie was kept busy on the farm raising her five children and running the household. She always had a large garden to tend to and was a talented seamstress; often making matching dresses for her daughters. In addition to her sewing, Ollie could also be found working on knitting and other handicrafts. After moving from the farm to Davidson, she worked at the nursing home as an Aide and later at the Davidson Hospital in the dietary department. Ollie was active with the Ladies Auxiliary to the Royal Canadian Legion, The Daughters of Rebekah, the United Church and her community. She enjoyed her retirement years, keeping busy with tending her flowers, playing bingo with her friends, hunting for bargains at auction sales and garage sales and continuing with her handicrafts making numerous afghans, quilts, moccasins and other crafts that she shared with her family and friends. Family was Ollie’s pride and joy and she thoroughly enjoyed the special visits and family events that she attended. She was predeceased by her husband, Henry Jess; her parents, John and Katherine; brother, Steven Hryhorash; sister, Jean Kosheluk; son-in-law, Jim Townsend; grandson, John Burke; and great-granddaughter, Jaryn Harlos. Ollie is survived by her children: daughter, Doreen (Dan) Smith (Charlene Burke, Dennis Russell and Patrick Russell); daughter, Dolores Townsend (James Townsend, Bonnie McIntyre, Tracy (Gary) McDowell and Connie Townsend); daughter, Patricia (Jim) McPike (Gina (Jeff) Kapty, Johnny Clement, David Clement and Renee (Carmine) Antonucci); daughter, Elaine (Ross) Tucker (Jason Tucker, Carla Tucker and Ryan (Karly) Tucker); and son, David (Cornelia) Jess (Marc Jess, Dorian Jess and Aaron Jess); 37 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren; brother, Norman (Olga) Hryhorash; brother-in-law, Walter (Stella) Jess; and many nieces and nephews. The Funeral Service was held on Sunday, September 15, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. in the Davidson United Church. Reverend Diane Eurig officiated and interment took place in Davidson Cemetery. Following the interment service, family and friends joined for a time of fellowship and fond remembrance. As an expression of sympathy, donations in Ollie’s name may be made to the Heartland Health Region c/o Davidson Health Centre, Box 758, Davidson, SK S0G 1A0. Arrangements are entrusted to Moose Jaw Funeral Home, 268 Mulberry Lane. Gary McDowell, Funeral Director. 306-693-4550 www.moosejawfuneralhome.com

Obituary

obitLePoudre, Paul

LePoudre
Paul LePoudre of Davidson passed away peacefully, with his loving family by his side on Monday, August 12, 2013.
Paul is survived by his sons Julius (Madeliene) LePoudre, Daniel (Joanne) LePoudre; daughters Shirley (Harvey) Buchholz, Deborah (Clarke) Doell, Darlene (Wayne) Nadeau; 13 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren; sisters Paula Kenny, Leona Gartner, and numerous other family members.
Paul was predeceased by his loving wife Gabrielle; father Jules, mother Marie; brothers Octave, Andre and Clifford as well as young brothers Andre and Octave in Belgium; sisters Mary, Andrea and Suzanna; daughter-in-law Sharon LePoudre and other family members.
Paul was born on June 29, 1917. He was one of 11 children born to Jules and Marie LePoudre originally from Gets, Belgium. Earlier his family had moved to Canada and eventually took up farming in the Davidson area. Nine of their children were raised on this farm. Life was tough. They learned how to work hard from a young age. As a young man, Paul worked as a hired man for a relative or neighbor, giving his paycheck back to his parents. This was done until he reached the marrying age and decided to settle on his own. He met the love of his life, Gabrielle Cool, also of Davidson, and they were married on Nov 14, 1944. They set up their home on a farm near his parents. Here they raised their five children: Julius, Shirley, Deborah, Daniel and Darlene. Paul’s life was blessed indeed. His first love was Gabrielle; his second love was his farm. But with the arrival of family, his greatest love became the love of his family. As children grew up and married he was overjoyed. He loved his sons-in-law and daughters-in-law as his own. As each bought or built homes – he was there helping to build and renovate. He was a very skilled carpenter. Many grandchildren and great-grandchildren were born in the years to follow. Each held a special place in his heart.
Paul and Gabrielle retired from the farm in 1980 and built a beautiful retirement home in Davidson, where they enjoyed many years with family and friends and the numerous family gatherings held here.
After losing the love of his life Gabrielle in 2004, Paul’s life changed. With love and support from his large family – he healed. He grew his big gardens and enjoyed his flowers. He still spent time helping at the farm. The large family gatherings were still held in his home.
During the last of his 95th year, Paul’s health failed and he moved into the Health Centre as a permanent resident. With his excellent care and unfaltering drive to be there for his family – he did reach his 96th birthday.
Paul was a humble, caring and giving man. His strength and faith were so strong. “His legacy to his family and friends is one of love, commitment and steadfastness.”
Prayers were held on Thursday, Aug. 22. The Mass of Christian Burial was held at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church on Friday, Aug. 23 with Rev. Father Eugene Warnke officiating. Interment followed in family plot, Davidson Cemetery.
Lunch was served by the CWL. Hanson’s Funeral Home was in charge of all arrangements.
If family or friends so desire, memorial tributes may be directed to the Davidson and District Health Foundation, Sacred Heart Church Fund, Sask. Heart and Stroke Fund or the charity of your choice.

featured

Local man helps nab truck thief

A 28-year-old Watrous man, on Friday, Aug. 23, had police on a wild, three-hour chase down highways, prairie trails and across farm fields.
It all ended in Last Mountain Lake, at Etters Beach, where the Mounties finally caught their man by fishing him out of the lake.
The Friday night chase began at about 5:30 when Const. Brendan Fonteyne of the Watrous RCMP detachment responded to a complaint of a suspicious vehicle parked in an alley in Watrous.
That suspicious vehicle turned out to be the truck that was reported stolen from Fast Toys for Boys trailer dealership in Davidson.
Terry Dieno, owner of Fast Toys for Boys, said they noticed the truck, which is a dualee pick up truck they use to tow RVs from Indiana to Davidson, missing the morning of Thursday, Aug. 22.
The thief drove through the fence surrounding the dealership, demolishing about 100 feet of it, to make his escape.
Dieno reported the stolen truck to Craik RCMP.
The next day, Dieno was notified that police had spotted his truck in Watrous.
However, Dieno’s truck didn’t stay in Watrous long.
Fonteyne said when he went to check out the truck, the driver took off, driving south out of Watrous on Highway 668. Fonteyne tried to pull over the vehicle but the driver fled across a grain field south of Watrous where a farmer was swathing. Fonteyne said the suspect then traded trucks, taking the farmer’s truck, a 2013 GMC Sierra, and took off again.
By now, four RCMP cruisers were involved in the chase, with Watrous and Craik RCMP detachments each supplying two vehicles.
Fonteyne said the officers lost sight of the suspect vehicle while he was fleeing across a field, heading back to Davidson.
The thief didn’t stay lost for long.
Dieno said when police notified him that they’d spotted his truck he was about to go flying in his plane, so he offered to look for his truck.
Dieno said he usually flies eastward out of town, but police advised him to go south towards Craik.
While he was still heading east, Dieno said he saw headlights coming down a prairie trail.
He took a look at the truck, but it wasn’t his, so he was about to head south, when he got an update that the suspect had abandoned Dieno’s truck and stole a different one.
Dieno said he asked police for a description of the vehicle and realized he had flown right over top of the thief.
To read more please see the Sept. 2 print edition of The Davidson Leader.

Obituary

Norwood, Margery young2
Norwood, Margery2

A daughter home
Margery Effie Norwood (Wopschall)
January 21, 1916 – September 22, 2012
Margery was born in Millbrook, South Dakota to Walter and Effie Wopschall. She was the second of four children, older brother Max and two younger brothers Arlyn and Wesley who all preceded her in death. When she was two her dad purchased 650 acres of farm land in Kenaston, Sask., Canada. Thus began her life on the prairie. When she was 18 she left her Perrier life and moved to Pasadena, California to live with her aunt and go to college. She met and married Eugene F. Norwood in 1942. He also preceded her in death. Margery drew up the house plans and her father and uncle built their first home in Los Angeles, California where Margery worked at Palomar College until she retired. She was also very active in the community church of Vista, where she was on several boards and served as a deaconess. At the time of her death she was living with her daughter in San Diego. She is survived by her daughter Ann Daniels, granddaughter Amanda Daniels of Vista and many nieces and nephews, along with her childhood friends in Saskatchewan, Canada.
Graveside services will be held Sept. 7, 2013, 11:30 a.m. at the Kenaston public cemetery followed with a light luncheon at the Evangelical Missionary Church. In keeping with her love of reading in lieu of flowers please make a book donation in her name to the public library.