All posts by Tara de Ryk

Davidson, Obituary

Marcella Strange

Jan 26,1924- April 18, 2018

It is with great sadness that close friends and family announce the passing of our dear Marcella at the age of 94. She was predeceased by her parents, loving husband Howard in 2007 as well as numerous siblings and other family members.

Marcella (Swede) as she was known to our family was very special. Our bond was unexplainable. She was a very, very independent lady.

We became neighbours with Howard and Swede in 1972 and that was the beginning of a beautiful long-lasting friendship.

She was hands down the best cook east of Davidson, That “little house on the prairies’’ was always overflowing with company and with love. And when you visited (invited or unannounced) you had to eat. And no one said no to Swede’s food.

In the last few years she would say to me, “You can be my daughter’’ There was no question she definitely made me feel like her daughter.

Her biggest worry was when she passed away she was going to leave us a “Big Mess” as she called it. We went to her suite after she left us and opened the drawer she had told us about and there was the Will and a five-page letter hand written in October 2016.

Emotionally we read it. It was like she was still talking to us, so in response. This letter is for you Swede.

Dear Swede

I know you love getting letters! You always kept telling us that you were such a “pest” to us. Well you were the best pest we ever had, and as days go forward we will always remember you and keep you in our hearts forever, We enjoyed many family meals together with our kids and grandkids. These are very special memories for all of us. We all loved your HUGS. I will personally remember our shopping trips to Moose Jaw. You tried on many things and always came home with a bag full. You were the best-dressed little lady in town.

Remember the day you bought 5 pairs of shoes, You said on the way home,“I can’t believe I did that, And those fancy jeans, Wow! And then there was your fancy winter boots. I told the saleslady you were looking for winter boots. She brought you short boots You said, “Those are old lady boots. I want tall fancy ones for church.”

And did you know you missed your hair appointment on April 18. You were a precious little “lady” that was as beautiful on the inside as the outside. You had an infectious smile and Giggle that made everyone smile and a sense of humor that was loved by all who knew you.

Your nieces and nephews all loved you very much. They were a VERY Big Part of your life. The phone calls, the letters and the visits kept coming.

We love you Swede.

XO Biggest hug ever from Randy and Judy Gust; Nicole and Glenn, Kirby and Morgan Manz; Scott Gust, Jill and Garth and Ruby and Keenan Osborne.

P.S. This was the last paragraph of her letter to us:

In case there is any doubt – all my nieces and nephews are wonderful, I love them all. My side of the family and Howard’s.

Bladworth, Davidson

Hall renos impress steak-fry crowd

Dan Campbell dropped by the Leader office with a toy tractor that was made from a Singer sewing machine. A similar tractor was auctioned off at the Bladworth Elks Steak Fry in memory of the late Albert Seifert.

BLADWORTH—The Bladworth community got to show off some of the renovations at the community hall April 14 at the Bladworth Elks Steak Fry.

The fresh paint, bright interior and new ceiling tiles were a hit with the large crowd that gathered for the annual fundraiser.

The acoustics in the hall are much improved thanks to lowering the ceiling height and the installation of acoustic tiles that helped deaden the sound made by noisy crowds.

More than 200 steaks were served at the Steak Fry, which is an annual fundraiser. This year’s event featured a local small item auction that brought in just over $3,000.

All proceeds from the auction will go towards the hall fund.

A featured item of the auction was replica John Deere toy tractor made from parts from an old Singer sewing machine. The Seifert family donated the tractor to the auction in honour of Albert Seifert, a long-time member of the Bladworth Elks, who passed away in July 2017. Bladworth Elks member and friend of Albert’s, Greg Brkich, bought the tractor.

“That was Albert’s last contribution to the Elks,” says Dan Campbell, Albert’s brother-in-law.

Dan had the tractor made for Albert just before he was diagnosed with cancer. Dan, who is married to Albert’s sister Heimke, lives in Calgary and he knew of a fellow there who makes these unique tractors from pieces of old Singer sewing machines as a hobby. The gas engines in the tractors come from broken weed eaters. Campbell says when he first saw the tractor, he knew Albert, who was a farmer, would appreciate it, so he had one made for him.

“Papa (Bruno) liked it, so I got one for him too and I got one for me,” Dan said.

The tractor auctioned at the Elks Steak Fry was the one that belonged to Albert. Dan said they wanted to auction it off in his name to honour his service to the Elks.

Davidson, Sports

McNabb scores game-winning goal for Golden Knights

Brayden McNabb

DAVIDSON—The Las Vegas Golden Knights made history last Tuesday to become the first team to advance in the NHL playoffs without a loss in its inaugural season.

The Knights beat the Los Angeles Kings in four straight games to advance to the second round.

The 1-0 win was also an historical moment for Davidson’s Brayden McNabb, who scored the game-winning goal.

It was his first NHL playoff goal.

With 5 goals in 78 games played in the regular season, the 6’ 4”, 212 pound defenceman isn’t known as a goal scorer.

To read the full story, you’ll need to subscribe. Phone 306-567-2047, email davidsonleader@sasktel.net or click the subscribe button.

Davidson

Prairie Patches Quilt Guild holds show

Making quilts is a timeless art form, however, the subject matter can be up-to-date as this emoji quilt demonstrates.

DAVIDSON—As one guild member explained about the passion for quilting shared by members of the Prairie Patches Quilt Guild, “Some people paint or cook… We like to play with fabric.”

As Bettie Tyndall described this enthusiasm for quilting, fellow guild member Jackie Johnson, nodded her agreement. Both are members of the guild and had some of their handiwork on display at the guild’s biennial show April 14 at the Davidson Community Centre. About 220 people took in the event that featured a varied and impressive display of the quilts, runners and other fabric creations guild members have completed over the last two years.

This marked the sixth show put on by the guild, whose members get together weekly to share in their enjoyment of sewing, quilting and needlework.

Members come from Kenaston, Bladworth, Davidson, Craik and Aylesbury. Their membership list is Andrea Batchelor, Wendy Elliott, Jeanette Holder, Jackie Johnson, Christel Keiser, Blanche Klovansky, Betty Maunder, Val McJannet, Ida McLeod, Cathy Palmer, Karen Rosten Mary Smillie, Colleen Spelliscy, Brenda Stone, Bettie Tyndall, Idelle Westman and Nancy Wilkins.

The guild provides them with an opportunity to learn and share their knowledge and to “continuously grow in their learning skills.”

To read the full story, you’ll need to subscribe. Phone 306-567-2047, email davidsonleader@sasktel.net or click the Subscribe button.

Davidson, Obituary

KASMAR, Leslie

May 11, 1931 – April 13, 2018

It is with great sadness our family announces the passing of Leslie Yvonne Kasmar (Logan) of Saskatoon, SK, on April 13, 2018, at the age of 86.

Leslie was born to Fraser and Alice Logan in Saskatoon along with her siblings Corinne, Blake, and Fraser (Berd). She attended Wilson, Caswell, and Bedford Road schools in Saskatoon, SK. In high school, she received awards for high academics and athletics, especially in basketball. She graduated from the Saskatoon City Hospital Nursing School with the highest grades in the 1952B class.

In 1952, Leslie and Dr. Jim Kasmar eloped and moved to Davidson where their medical practice was established and quickly became an integral part of the community for the next 12 years. They moved to Saskatoon in 1964 with their four daughters, Janet, Sydney, Susan, and Marian. Lynda, the youngest daughter was born shortly after settling into city life.

Leslie enjoyed her life as a nurse, homemaker, wife, Mom and Nana. She was an enthusiastic volunteer with many associations. She spent many hours volunteering for the Saskatoon City Hospital Nurses Alumni Executive and bookkeeping for the medical practice and family. She was an avid sports enthusiast, traveller, pianist, golfer, curler, reader, seamstress, needlepointer, swimmer, family lifeguard and enjoyed doing crosswords and Sudoku puzzles. Her memory was amazing to all! Leslie was educated in healing therapies such as Reiki and reflexology. She was also the “taxi driver” for her daughters while they were involved in dancing and activities, we could not count the driving times back and forth to the dance studio with her five daughters. She was also a very talented seamstress and created many costumes for dance, skating, and baton events.

Leslie and Jim enjoyed their time together with family and friends. They travelled extensively from Hawaii to Mexico, Bermuda, Barbados, US and Europe. There were many family road trips hauling the boat to many lakes (particularly Waskesiu lake) for water skiing and fishing, but the priority was the golf courses that each holiday adventure was based around. Many holidays included a round of golf in the morning, lake in the afternoon and another golf round at supper. We think the boat was really needed to haul the golf clubs! They were also members of the Riverside Country Club and they had many rounds of golf and fun with their friends there. Another sport they both enjoyed and took up was scuba diving, which took them to warm destinations to enjoy the undersea life together. It has been nearly 40 years without one another, and now they will be reunited.

In recent years, while living in special care homes, Leslie continued to show concern and compassion for her fellow residents. She adjusted to her new life style, made friends and as health permitted was involved in resident activities. Leslie struggled with rheumatoid arthritis throughout her life, and many times we called her the “Bionic Women” with all the joint replacements she encountered over the years, but that did not stop her in any way. Through this, she taught her family and friend’s determination, strength, and fortitude. Her grandchildren had a wonderful Nana to learn from and have fun with. One of our favorite childhood memories was playing Owly Owly Owly with her!

Mom and Nana/Granma will be remembered and missed so much by,

JANET Thomson; Jackie (Brodie Uprichard), Beth (André Lalonde), Paul (Cara

Baldwin), SYDNEY Kasmar, SUSAN and David Pezderic; Preston, Mitchell, Raisa Pezderic (Colin McGuirk McNeil), MARIAN and Rob Hoffos; Nicole Smith (Michael), Brooke, Rachel, LYNDA Kasmar; Richard, Ernie, Amanda, along with all her relatives in the Logan, Kasmar and Sim families.

Leslie was predeceased by her husband: Dr. James J. Kasmar (1978), parents: Fraser and Alice Logan, sister: Corinne Hollingshead, brother-in-law: Glen Hollingshead, grandson: Jim Thomson, and son-in-law: Mark Thomson.

On Saturday, April 21, 2018, a burial service took place at Woodlawn Cemetery in Saskatoon, SK. Following, everyone was welcome to attend a Come and Go “Celebration of Life” for Leslie, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. at  The Saskatoon Club.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Canadian Arthritis Society.