• It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden passing of our dear father, grandfather and great-grandfather and all around wonderful man. Earl was born on September 11, 1925 and was the fifth child born to Axel and Beda Johnson in Davidson, Saskatchewan. He died peacefully on October 14, 2011 at the Davidson Health Centre with his daughter Patty and her family at his side. Earl lived and farmed all his life in the Davidson area until retiring into the town of Davidson in March 1989. Earl attended Prairie College where he got his education and had many fond memories especially of the country school dances. Farming was his passion, the clean air and wide open spaces he loved. In town, Earl donated many hours volunteering driving the “seniors” to and from activities at the senior centre, he retired driving the van in his early 80s, although he never considered himself a senior. He also delivered meals on wheels for many years. On the occasion of Saskatchewan’s 100th anniversary Earl received the Saskatchewan Centennial Medal from the Lieutenant Governor for all his volunteering. Church and faith played a huge part in Earl’s life. He was on council for many years, helping in whatever manner he could. He believed in the simple things, spending time visiting with family, friends, playing softball, shooting a game of pool, cards and fishing. His life did not come without challenges and pain, he raised five young children on his own and did a fabulous job. He taught his kids to stand on their own, be kind and just to be all-around good people. He was blessed with good health most of his life and for that we are very thankful. Earl resided in the Davidson Health Centre for the past five-and-a-half months. Their care and compassion was greatly appreciated.
  He is predeceased by his parents Axel and Beda Johnson; first wife Lila (Young); second wife Olga (Korejbo) and third wife Hazel (Juhnke); brothers, Roy and Ernie and infant sister Anna.
  Earl is survived by his loving children, Sharon (Keith), Heather and Jason McDonald, Les (Janice), Garritt and Kyle Johnson, Elaine Johnson, Glen (Connie), Ryan, Amanda and Shaun Johnson, Patty (Darryl) Tomyn, Brittany and Carter; step-children, Denise (Lloyd) Sperling and family, Myrna (Clifford) Meshka and family, Don (Janet) Juhnke and family, Daryl (Sandy) Juhnke and family.
  Earl was laid to rest in Emmanuel Cemetery on October 22, 2011.
  A special thank you to Hanson’s Funeral Home.

On October 6, 2011 Orville Hamblin passed away peacefully at the QEII Hospital after a long battle with cancer at the age of 76. Orville “Doc” will be greatly missed by his brothers Glenn (Kathy) Hamblin, Gary (Linda) Hamblin; daughters Kelly (Dwayne) Heck, Georgina (Allan) Cheres; grandchildren Cory (Brooklynn) Heck, Caylin Heck, Jared and Josh Heck, Chase and Jodi Vigar, as well as nieces and nephews, many great friends and extended family Glenyce and Jackie.
Orville will be reunited with his parents George and Gladys Hamblin along with other family and friends. Special thanks to Dr. Zamani, the nurses and doctors on Palliative Care in the QEII Hospital and a very big thank you to Home Care and the staff at Pioneer Lodge. A memorial service was held on Monday, October 24 at 11 a.m. at the QEII Hospital Chapel in Grande Prairie, Alta., with a light lunch to follow in the 5 South conference room. Interment to follow in Kenaston, Sask., date and time to be announced.

Grace Evelyn May Nelson, age 79, passed away peacefully at Davidson Health Centre on Tuesday, September 20, 2011. Grace was born January 17, 1932 at Belvidere, Illinois. Grace will be deeply missed by her loving spouse of 59 years, Jack Nelson; five children Evelyn Zehr (Fred Kirby), Gilbert (Michele) Nelson, Judy (Brent) Anderson, Mary (Rod) Measner and Clifford (June) Nelson; grandchildren, Cory (Ila), David, Kimberly (Chad), Dawn (Dennis); Jeffrey (Sandi), Jeremy (Nicole), Trevor, Travis; Michael (Aimee), Marian (Tyler), Denise; Holly (Justin), Dane (Chantal); Lexie, Jonathan and Ryan; great-grandchildren, Nathan, Jacob and Matthew (Savanah); Haileigh and Mason, Blair; Shayla and Makayla, Jaxon; Logan and Davin, Owen nd Ethan and great-great-granddaughter, Anika Tuplin; sister, Bernice Federspiel; brother, George Thresher; brother-in-law, Donald Hahn (Laverne); sister-in-law, Verna Nelson; brother and sister-in-law, Robert and Dolores Nelson; numerous neices and nephews. Grace was predeceased by grandson, Allen Nelson; parents Bert and Minnie Thresher; sister, Hazel Hahn; sister-in-law, LuEtta Thresher and brother-in-law William Nelson.
She was very proud of her family. She loved children, and as grandchildren and great-grandchildren arrived, they loved her as much as she loved them! She was not afraid of hard work, there wasn’t anything that she couldn’t do! She loved gardening, cooking, (especially her homemade angel food cakes) sewing, yardwork, painting, all aspects of the farm, family sporting events, as well as dancing and a good game of cards. She was always there to lend a helping hand. The door was always open to family and friends.
The funeral service was held Saturday, September 24, 2011, 2:00 p.m. at Liberty Hall, conducted by Rev Diane Eurig. The tribute was given by granddaughter, Kimberly Mercier. Honorary pallbearers were all who shared in Grace’s life. Active pallbearers were grandsons: Cory and David Zehr, Jeffrey and Jeremy Nelson, Michael Anderson and Dane Measner. Interment followed at Liberty Cemetery. Memorial donations directed to Stalwart Hall, Liberty Cemetery, Davidson Health Centre, and Alzheimers Society. Hanson’s Funeral Home of Davidson were in care of arrangements.

Arlene passed away peacefully at St. Paul’s Hospital in Saskatoon on July 15, 2011. Arlene was born September 25, 1963 in Watrous to Charlie and Sylvia Lang.
Arlene leaves to mourn her father Charlie, brother Kim, sister Heather (Len) and also leaves her nieces Kristin (Darby), Kendra (great-nephew Carter) and Desirae. Arlene also leaves a dedicated and loving extended family at 3801 and Elmwood Staff.
Arlene was predeceased by her mother Sylvia in 2010 and great-niece Emma in 2009.
Arlene had a wonderful quality of life even with her limited abilities. She knew she was loved by all and was content with what life had given her. She gave so much more than she ever took.
Funeral arrangements to be announced.

• It is with great sadness and regret we announce the passing of our father Lloyd Herman Dircks at the age of 84. He passed away peacefully in his sleep on July 22, 2011 in Humboldt.
  We were reunited with our father in 1982 and our love as a family was rekindled. In that time we knew our father. We found him to be a kind, gentle man with a great sense of humour.
  In the years that we let slip by they become a patchwork of good and bad days, failures and successes, joys and disappointments, like every life that has not been derailed by catastrophe or tragedy however gigantic or mundane. It’s just life’s journey. Our father had a lot of courage to travel through this life’s journey. Courage is the fortitude to keep moving forward, with a smile, good sense of humour, that is a gift our father gave us.
  As we all walk through this life
  unheard by some,
  unseen by others.
  It is the heart’s song of loneliness that is hard to still.
  Time sifts away slowly like seeping sand.
  We meet our father who took our hand.
  Rest in peace Dad till we meet again.
  Fly with the Angels.
  He was predeceased by our mother, Gladys Marilyn Reicken from Girvin, Sask., and his only son, James Martin.
  He leaves behind three daughters, Adele (husband Keith), Donna Lee, Joanne Faye (husband Neil); five grandchildren, Niki (husband Shane), Brandon (wife Christine) and James’ three daughters Jessica Lynn, Sarah Jo and Katlin D. and five great-grandchildren, Tyler, Jaeden and Amanda of Regina and Daylen and Araya of Calgary.
  Memorial to be announced at a later date.

• Olive Kathleen (nee Ramage) Carlin, September 25, 1930 – September 19, 2011.
  Olive, dearly beloved wife of Ian, died on Monday, September 19, 2011 at Agapé Hospice. Olive was born in Edinburgh, Scotland to Thomas Craig Ramage and Catherine Isabella Moors Cruickshank on Sept. 25, 1930.
  Left to mourn her passing are her beloved husband, Ian; her brother and sister-in-law, Alan and Florence Ramage of Edinburgh, Scotland; and her nieces, great-nieces and nephew. Also the dear and faithful friends here in Calgary.
  Olive worked for many years in the operating room at the Old Children’s Hospital on Richmond Road in Calgary, where she did her best to help sick children, “her children” as she called them. Olive loved her garden and along with Ian enjoyed testing out different fruits and vegetables. Neighbours and friends often came to inspect the very tiny kiwi fruit. Olive was an active member of the genealogy community, volunteering in both the Family History Centre and the Alberta Family Histories Library, both in Calgary.
  Olive and Ian have a house in Kenaston.
  God sent me an angel when I needed one,
  now she is taken away.
  Memorial services and reception to be announced at a later date.