• It is with great sadness the family announces the passing of Joseph Nicholas Brkich on March 16, 2010 at the Davidson Health Centre.
  Joe was born on the homestead at Bladworth on March 17, 1929. He was the fifth of nine children born to Jacob and Frances Brkich. In 1945 they bought and moved to the present family farm. June 6, 1957 is when he married the love of his life, Doris Achtzener of Regina and had three children, Greg, Dianne and Linda. He farmed all of his life and loved it. He believed there was no better way of life.
  In his younger days he was an avid curler and his love for hockey led him to coach for many years. That was where he acquired his nickname “Punch”. Some years later he even held his own hockey draft.
  His outgoing personality was perfectly suited to his enjoyment of bartending. Whether it be at the Bladworth Bar, a wedding dance, or a community function, he could always be seen with a bar towel slung over his shoulder. Joe loved having people around whether it was during the winter months when the pool table was set up in the kitchen or in the summer with Sunday fishing trips. But never was it more evident than with his St. Patrick’s Day birthday parties. Making sure the pool table and shuffleboard table were ready to go, Irish music on the stereo and Doris in the kitchen cooking up a feast.
  He was a charter member of the Bladworth Elks and enjoyed going to the meetings for fellowship. He was an avid collector of many things but most notable was his extensive hat collection. He enjoyed sharing his memories from his threshing days, his get-togethers with neighbours and of listening to Foster Hewitt on the radio.
  In his later years he received a lot of enjoyment from watching one of his many classic movies and playing with his grandsons. They were the light of his life.
  Joe is survived by his son, Greg Brkich of Bladworth; daughters, Dianne (Calvin) Murfitt of Davidson and Linda Warner of Rainbow Lake, Alta.; grandsons, Cole and Clay Murfitt. He is also survived by sisters, Anne Brkich, Edmonton, Alta., Elizabeth Sheppard, Camrose, Alta., Theresa (Barry) Tether, Victoria, B.C., Vera Bencze, Regina, Sask. and Rita (Terry) Anderson, Victoria, B.C.; sister-in-law, Gerry Boehlen, Regina, Sask.; brother-in-law, Harvie Webster, Regina, Sask. and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
  Joe is predeceased by his loving wife, Doris; parents, Frances and Jacob; brother, John; sisters, Pauline Webster and Matilda Brehm; brothers-in-law, Michael Brehm, Hugh Sheppard and Fred Boehlen.
  The funeral service was held on March 23, 2010 at 11:30 a.m. at St. Andrew’s Roman Catholic Church in Kenaston, Sask. Lunch and fellowship followed at the Bladworth Elks Hall.
  Hanson’s Funeral Home, Davidson, Sask. was in care of arrangements.

• With much love, wonderful memories and sadness our family bids a fond farewell to Emiel Albert Dahms. Emiel died on Sunday, March 20 at the Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon surrounded by his family at the age of 87. He was born at home on the family farm on June 16, 1923 and resided on the farm for most of his life until July of 2007. In 2007 Emiel moved to Watrous and had spent the last two years at Jubilee Court. During his time at Jubilee Court Dad had made many new friends and really enjoyed his time residing there. Shuffleboard, cards and the special dinners were some of the highlights along with the care and companionship of the residents, staff and home care personnel. He had just recently moved to Manitou Lodge prior to his passing.
  Dad met Mom in 1944 and once they started dating he walked seven miles to town and back every night to visit her. They were engaged on October 22, 1945 and were married one year later on October 22, 1946 at St. John’s cathedral in Saskatoon. Next to his wife and family, farming has had his heart and been his passion for his entire life. Other than farming Emiel had spent some time working in the gold mines and lumber camps of northwestern Ontario when he was 16 years old. During their early married years from 1946 through 1951 Emiel and Agnes spent one winter in Toronto and five in Calgary working during the winter months. They have many fond memories of the friendships they made during these years. In the late 50s and early 60s he was employed locally at Pilot Butte (gravel pit) in addition to farming full time. He also spent a number of summers working with government crop programs in the early 70s.  Emiel sat on the school board for many years and was also actively involved with coaching peewee baseball and hockey. For a number of years in the 1990s up until the mid 2000s Dad was a councillor in the RM of Wreford which he enjoyed immensely. He will be fondly remembered as a man who had a great memory for local history and could tell you who lived on each and every farm throughout the countryside. Dad was also a great one to visit and was always happy to strike up a conversation with friends or complete strangers. Family was the most important part of his life and many happy times were had at the farm and at Etters’s, Vance’s, Huggins, Manitou and Waskesieu Lake. Wonderful and caring neighbours have made life a whole lot sweeter and memorable during the lifetime Dad, Mom and our family have spent on our farm.
  Emiel will be sadly missed by his daughter Janet (Alan) Parnell, daughter Margaret (Michael) Schmit, and son Emiel (Florine) Dahms; his grandchildren Stacey (Jay) Antonio, Shannon (Isaac) Kendall, Jana (Ken) Siepman, Chris Parnell (Sarah), Ben Parnell (Shayla), Stephanie Schmit and Katie Parnell; his great-grandchildren Brett Schmit and Xander Siepman. He is also survived by his nephew Wayne (Daphne) Ash, his niece Bonnie Isaacson, his nephew Gary (Margaret) Isaacson, his nephew Peter (Eugenia) Powers and his cousins Mary Knoblauch, Camilla Smith, Florian Galbraith and Edwin (Olga) Dahms. He is also survived by many other cousins and dear friends.
  Emiel was predeceased by his wife of 58 years Agnes; his father and mother Emiel and Maude Dahms; brother Jack (Madge) Hewitt, sisters Dorothy (Alonzo) Ash, Irene (Bill) Isaacson, Doris (Raymond) Isaacson and brother-in -aw Don (Vera) Powers; and many other relatives.
  The family would like to thank all the wonderful nurses, home care workers in Imperial, Watrous and Nokomis, also Dr. Worbitz and his team and the sixth floor nursing staff at the Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon.
  Funeral services for Emiel Dahms were held at the Imperial Community Centre at 11 a.m. on Thursday, March 24, 2011. Interment was at the Imperial Cemetery.

• Andrew (Andy) Benko of Winfield, Alta. passed away suddenly at his home on March 20th, 2011. He leaves to mourn his loving wife of 48 years, Mary; his children Tim (Shelly) Benko; grandchildren Morgan and Faith of Cloverdale, B.C., daughter Joan (Cal) Goodman; granddaughters Robin and Michelle, of Saskatoon, Sask., Laura (Dave) Johnson of Winfield, Alta.; step-grandchildren Rick, Kim (Steve) Burton, Danielle (Dion) Olson (and their children) and Danica (Curtis) Parish, Lynne (Darryl) Lucki; grandchildren Nicholas and Miranda of Outlook, Sask., and John (Stephanie) Benko; granddaughters Jessica and Jenna of Wainwright, Alta.; brother Len (Betty) Benko of Langley, B.C., brother Clarence “Chuck” Benko of Edmonton, Alta., sister Val (Rudy) Thurlow of Kenaston, Sask., brother Jim Benko, of Surrey B.C., brother Jack (Lois) Benko of Kelowna, B.C., sister Theresa (Eldon) Owen of Kenaston, Sask., many nieces and nephews and their children. He also leaves to grieve his loss his sisters-in-law, Andrea Mellis of Vienna, Austria, Joan (Dan) Clements of Salt Spring Island, B.C. and Mhora (Joe) Ogmundson of Chilliwack, B.C. He was predeceased by his parents John and Frances Benko, his mother- and father-in-law Andrew and Erin Mellis, several aunts and uncles, his grandson Matthew Benko and nephews Rudy Thurlow and Stephen Benko.
  Andy was born in Davidson, Sask. on January 13, 1943, the fourth child of John and Frances (Sabo) Benko of Kenaston, Sask. At the age of 16 Andy quit school, much against his parent’s wishes, and for a time worked on elevator construction in Kenaston. At the age of 17 he joined the Canadian Army and was sent to Currie Barracks in Calgary where he became a member of the 1st Battalion, Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada. In 1961, at the onset of the “Cold War” and the building of the infamous “Berlin Wall”, Andy found himself in Germany with his regiment (quite a culture shock for a kid from the Prairies whose farthest travels prior to this was to Regina). In 1962 he had been treated for hoarseness, sore throat and possible cancer. Before he knew it he was on his way back to Canada where surgeons at Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto removed a benign polyp from his throat. He was then sent back to Calgary where he became a member of the 2nd Battalion Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada, met the love of his life and started his family.  In 1970 Andy left the Infantry and became a Postal Clerk with the Canadian Armed Forces Postal Corps. While stationed at CFB Calgary, he was sent to Cyprus where he spent six months with the United Nations Peacekeeping Force. He served his country honorably for 25 years, retiring in 1984 and moved his family back to his hometown of Kenaston, Sask.
  In 1985 Andy became employed as the Town Foreman for the Village of Kenaston, Sask., where he worked until 1994. Health restrictions resulted in him leaving this employment and in the late fall of 1994 he and Mary moved to Saskatoon, Sask. where they both became members of the Canadian Corps of Commissionaires until June 2003 when they retired and moved to their final home in Winfield, Alta.
  Andy was immensely proud of his five children and their achievements in life and loved them and his grandchildren dearly. Family meant a great deal to him and he always enjoyed family get-togethers.
  An avid hockey fan, he was also a great player. Not being able to pursue a career in the NHL, he was offered the opportunity to play on military teams throughout his Army years as well as to coach minor hockey. When first back in Kenaston, he coached the Kenaston Blizzards hockey team, and the Blizzard Babes softball team. If there is hockey in heaven, then God has gained another good defenseman. He was also a loyal and faithful Saskatchewan Roughriders fan… even proudly displaying his Roughrider flags in ‘Oil Country’.
  Always community minded, Andy was a member of the Kenaston Volunteer Fire Department, as well as being the Emergency Measures Coordinator for Kenaston and area. He was also a member of the Kenaston Lions Club, and, at the time of his passing, had been a member of the Royal Canadian Legion with 31 years of dedication.
  A memorial service for Andy was held at the Winfield Community Centre at 2:00 p.m., March 28, 2011. Internment will take place in Andy’s home town in Kenaston, Sask. at a later date.
  If friends desire, memorial contributions may be made to the Winfield Pond Hockey Account (C/o Instant Replay Sports 4725 50 Ave, Wetaskiwin, AB T9A 0R9) or St. Andrew’s Cemetery Fund (Box 252, Kenaston, SK, S0G 2N0)
  Expressions of sympathy may be forwarded to the family by visiting www.wilsonsfuneralchapel.ca.
  Wilson’s Funeral Chapel & Crematorium serving Central Alberta with locations in Rimbey and Lacombe in charge of the arrangements. Phone: (403) 843-3388 or (403) 782-3366.
  “A Caring Family, Caring For Families”
  

•  April 30, 1935 – March 11, 2011
  Joan Ames of Hinton, Alta. passed away peacefully on the morning of March 11, 2011 at the age of 75 years. Joan leaves to mourn her passing, her five children: Dawn (Ray) Tyrell of Airdrie, Alta. and grandchildren Kaitlyn, Sarah, Dana and Corey; Dale (Cheryle) Ames of Lloydminster, Alta. and grandson Travis; Kevin (Charlene) Ames of Penticton, B.C. and grandsons Dylan and Mitchel; Holly Ames (Tim White) of Edmonton, Alta. and grandchildren Samantha and Ethan; Ken Ames (Lisa Rowe) of Hinton, Alta. and grandchildren Brandon, Carson, Jenna, Callie and Tyson.
  Joan is also survived by her sister Lois Gottselig (Al McPhee) of Calgary, Alta. and her brother Bill (Dale) Ketcheson of Winnipeg, Man., as well as numerous nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. Joan was predeceased by her husband and soul mate Cecil, infant son Kimberly Allen and her parents Ken and Margaret Ketcheson.
  A celebration of Joan’s life took place on March 17, 2011 at Grace Lutheran Church in Hinton with Pastor Doug Heine presiding. According to her wishes, cremation has taken place and her ashes will be interred next to her beloved late husband Cecil at a later date. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations be directed to the Canadian Diabetes Association.
  We would like to thank Dr. Brad Armstrong, Dr. Katherine Sorenson, and the staff of the Hinton General Hospital as well as the EMS team for their compassionate care of our mother. A special thank you also to mom’s best friend Elsie Klingbeil and her husband Al who always made time to include mom in their busy lives. We are forever grateful.
  Thank you to all who have given so freely of their time and condolences in our time of loss.
  Ever close in mind and heart.
  Hinton Funeral Services, 780-865-1234 and Foothills Crematorium entrusted with all arrangements.
  To send condolences online, please visit edsonfuneralhome.com.
  The Foothills Memorial Chapel, “Serving West Central Alberta for more than 60 years.”

In Loving Memory
Earl Westman, May 19, 1937—Dec. 29, 2010
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Earl on Dec. 29, 2010 after a lengthy illness at the age of 73.
Earl was born on the Eaton family farm at Leroy, Saskatchewan on May 19, 1937. He is survived by his loving wife of 49 years, Corinne; his children, Susan (Remi), Jerad, Kelsey and Danielle Lamarche, Leslie (Shane), Makenna, Kale, Macy and Tate Lokos; Joni (Reg), Kiley, Taryn and Chase Zdunich; Scot Westman and his children, Jessica and Arley; Earl’s siblings, Evelyn (Glenn) McVeigh, Norm (Marg) Westman, Shirley (Jim) Sanderson, Dawna (Laurie) Astle and families; sister-in-law, Gwen Lemay and brother-in-law Ray (Tracy) Lewington as well as numerous family members and friends. Earl was predeceased by his parents, Cornelius (Slim) and Laura Westman; Corinne’s parents, Clarence and Evelyn Lewington; and infant brother, Ernest.
Earl grew up in the Zid District and attended Zid School. He started working away from home at the young age of 15. He was well respected for his work ethic, wisdom, family values and advice. He had a keen sense of humour and a sparkle in his eyes.
In November of this year he was proud to receive his 50-year award from the International Union of Operating Engineers.
Earl was a pipeliner and farmer but also enjoyed equipment sales. He was a proud longstanding member of the Kenaston Lions Club, served as Councillor for the RM of McCraney and board member of the Kenaston Credit Union. He found enjoyment in Standardbred horse racing, auction sales and coffee with friends, but most importantly spending time with his family.
The funeral service was held on Mon., Jan. 3, 2011 at 2 p.m. at Kenaston Place officiated by Pastor Gene Whitehead of the Kenaston Evangelical Church.
Donations in Earl’s memory may be made to Kenaston Cemetery Fund or Canadian Blood Services (please consider a blood donation in Earl’s memory!) Special thanks to the medical and support staff who helped and encouraged Earl through his illness.
Hanson’s Funeral Home of Davidson in care of arrangements.
Thank-you to each and everyone for the cards, flowers, hugs, visits and gifts of food. They are all greatly appreciated. Hanson’s you go above and beyond! Earl will be forever loved and forever missed.

• Arlene Andrews was born Sept. 11, 1933, in Davidson, Sask., and passed away suddenly on Feb. 20, 2011. Beloved wife of Gerry Andrews, she will be forever loved and deeply missed by her son Hugh (Wendy), granddaughters Holly and Piper, sisters Glennys Prusak and Lavonne (Lloyd) Heck, sister-in-law Vera Eddie and many nieces, nephews, cousins, many great friends and her little dog, Tinker.
  She was predeceased by her parents Hugh and Helen, sister Lucille (Jack) Ames and brother Gordon Eddie, nieces Sharlene Lyke, Michelle Heck and Vanessa Eddie.
  Arlene spent her early working career with the Weyburn School Board and CN Rail. She was an avid figure skater and taught many children to skate. In 1957 she married Gerry, and their son Hugh followed in 1961. She accepted a transfer with CN Rail to Port Arthur, Ont., in 1964 where she worked until the completion of Doug and Gerry’s Bus Depot the following year. Arlene worked there as a ticket agent and bookkeeper while raising Hugh. She and Gerry retired to White Rock, B.C., in 1984, where she took up a new career as a volunteer with the Peace Arch Hospital Auxiliary.
  Arlene was very pleased to welcome her first granddaughter Holly in 1996. A diagnosis of breast cancer in 1999 didn’t stop her for a minute. After recovering from treatments she and Gerry moved to Qualicum Beach in 2002 to be closer to her family. True to form, Arlene quickly made many good friends and once again took up volunteer work. She volunteered as an emergency aid facilitator for the Canadian Cancer Society, donated her time to St. Stephen’s United Church Hot Lunch Program and many other worthy causes. 2004 brought Arlene’s second granddaughter Piper. Arlene couldn’t have been more proud of her son and grandchildren as she attended every party, school concert, dance recital and horse show with a smile and praise, no matter the weather.
  A celebration of Arlene’s life was held at St. Stephen’s United Church in Qualicum Beach, on Friday, Feb. 25, 2011.