Amundrud, Cletus Erling 

It is with deep sadness that we announce the death of Cletus Erling Amundrud on Friday, December 15, 2017 at the Dr. F. H. Wigmore Regional Hospital in Moose Jaw. We felt comfort in knowing that he knew all of his immediate family had gathered by his bedside for his final journey just before his passing. 

He was the youngest of seven children born into the Joseph and Ada (Pratt) Amundrud family. He was born on NE-8-23-27 W2nd at Aylesbury, Saskatchewan on October 5, 1930. He always said he didn’t grow to be a big man because it was the beginning of the Dirty Thirties and he had to fight to get his food from his older siblings. He attended school in Aylesbury and then helped his father on the farm. 

Later he went to Calgary, Alta., and got a job putting up ice into boxcars that was shipped for refrigeration purposes. After that, he got a job working for an electrician and wired the main post office in Calgary. Later on, he came back to the Craik area and worked for Bert Wildfong on his farm, followed up with delivering fuel for the Craik Co-op.

It was at work where he met the love of his life, Celestina (Sal) Krassman, as she was the Co-op grocery store cashier. They got married on a beautiful, warm day on November 15, 1954. In the spring of ’56, they rented the Stevens’ farm, which is 1.5 miles west of Aylesbury, and where their large home still stands. He served on the local farm club executive, the snowplow club and the local Co-op board. 

He was one of the founding members of the Palliser Wheat Growers’ Association and the Canadian Custom Combiners’ Association. They worked very hard on their mixed farm with their three sons and their farm grew to a substantial size. They went custom combining in the U.S. for several years. 

Cletus continued to actively farm until 2007, which was the year he was very honoured to receive the Century Farm Award. Cletus and Sal enjoyed retirement on the farm and grew a large garden every year and looked after their beautiful yard. They loved entertaining their friends and family in their comfortable home. They also enjoyed their weekly trips to Moose Jaw to do some shopping and some relaxation at the casino.

He was predeceased by his parents Joseph and Ada Amundrud; brothers Addis, Ellwyn and Dale; sister Lela McInnes; parents-in-law Louis and Agatha Krassman; brothers-in-law John Vopni, John Kunkel, Ron McInnes, Albert Mills, Vic Krassman, Garry Krassman, and Doug Simpson; sisters-in-law Mary Amundrud and Daisy Amundrud. 

He is survived by his sisters Leona Kunkel of Davidson and Phyllis Mills of Bengough. He is also survived by sisters-in-law Dorothy Amundrud of Melville, Irene Krassman of Davidson, and Monica Simpson of Red Deer, Alta. He is survived by numerous nephews, nieces, loving friends and neighbours who thought the world of him. 

Cletus is survived by his loving family: Celestina (Sal), three sons: Guy Cletus (Janice) of Saskatoon, Alan Russell of Craik, and Brian John of Kobe, Japan; seven grandchildren, two step-grandchildren, and numerous great-grandchildren. 

As per his wishes, Cletus’ memorial service will be held on July 26, 2018 in Aylesbury Hall when it is easier for his family and numerous friends to be together to celebrate his life. Funeral services will be provided by Hanson’s Funeral Services of Davidson, Sask.

December 8, 2017 Marion MacLaggan passed away peacefully in her sleep with family at her side at the Sunnyside Adventists Care Home in Saskatoon. Marion was born in Paignton, Devon, England on March 27, 1945 to parents Ron and Frances Brown. The family moved to Moose Jaw in 1948 and later to Aylesbury, Sask., in 1951 where Ron ran the Red and White grocery store and where Marion completed her schooling. She then moved to Saskatoon in 1963 to become a Lab Tech at RUH. In Saskatoon she met Rae and they were married on April 19, 1965. They were blessed with son Kevin (grandson Kohl) of Saskatoon and daughter Ashley (granddaughter Moira) of Vancouver B.C. Also former daughter-in-law Merilee Morales of Saskatoon. Marion is predeceased by her parents Ron and Frances Brown and brother-in-law Terry MacLaggan of Saskatoon. She is survived by her husband Rae, son Kevin (grandson Kohl), daughter Ashley (granddaughter Moira) and by her only sibling Eric Brown (Sharron) of Cowichan Bay, B.C. Also surviving Marion are three nieces Brenda Fleury (Dean), Wanda Levac (Dwayne) and Debbie Longmore (Davyn) and their families all of Swift Current, Sask.; two nephews Gary Brown (Inge) and David Brown (Tabby) and their families of Whitehorse, Yukon and sister-in-law Lois (Terry) Johnston and family of Kelowna, B.C. Marion loved family most of all, her grandson and granddaughter being her pride and joy. Her favourite pastime was reading. She also liked travelling to Fairmont, B.C., curling and playing slow pitch when she was younger. She worked at RUH as a Lab Tech, Hi-Lo Mart, Pinder’s Drugs, MacLeod’s, K-Mart, Zellers, and finally London Drugs until her illness. Thank you to the wonderful staff at Sunnyside Adventist Care Home for the loving care Marion received there. At Marion’s request there will be no funeral. A family Memorial will be held at a later date. Memorial donations in Marion’s memory may be directed to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, Saskatchewan. Condolences for the family may be left at www.saskatoonfuneralhome.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to SASKATOON FUNERAL HOME (306) 244-5577.

Nielson, Mildred Elizabeth (nee Elliot)

With sadness, the family of Mildred Nielson announces her passing on April 19, 2017 at the Herb Basset Home in Prince Albert.

Mildred was born on the family farm in the Aylesbury district on Sept. 30, 1920 to Almer and Elsa Elliot. She attended school in Aylesbury with her three siblings and later travelled to Moose Jaw to attend Normal School. She taught briefly in country schools before moving to Nova Scotia where she married Jens Nielson on Oct. 28, 1943. Their first daughter Lynne was born there. Upon Jens’ discharge from the Air Force they returned to Saskatchewan and began farming. Soon after they welcomed Nadine and James to the family.

Mildred enjoyed gardening, genealogy, knitting, sewing, painting and L.O.B.A. as well as many other activities. She was very involved with the United Church and continued to attend Sunday services until she moved to Weldon. She had a smile for everyone and always had time to stop for a quick visit. Mildred and Jens were involved in both breeding and racing standard bred horses. In later years they enjoyed travelling with family and friends and were fortunate enough to visit Japan, Australia, Hawaii and many parts of both Canada and the U.S.

In 1985 Mildred and Jens retired and left the farm, moving into Craik where Mildred continued to live until moving to the Weldon Villa Care Home in 2010. She lived there for just over three years and was fortunate to make many new friends and spent many happy hours visiting and playing cards.

Mildred is lovingly remembered by daughters Lynne, Nadine (Wayne) Steen and son James (Connie) Nielson; grandchildren Colin (Angie) Steen, Todd (Cam) Steen and Quinn, Maren and Conlan Nielson; and four great-grandchildren, Erik, Luke, Gunnar and Haakon Steen. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

Mildred was predeceased by Jens, her parents and siblings Arvid, Eldeen and Clarence.

A Celebration of Mildred’s life will be held at a later date. Arrangements in care of Hanson’s Funeral Home.