(known as “Tex” to many people) passed away unexpectedly in Davidson , Sask. on January 4, 2025. Gary was born on July 6, 1950. He was born and raised in Davidson along with his sister, Wendy, and his brother, Rick. His parents owned The Midway clothing store on Main Street, and they lived above it. Gary met Karen, the love of his life, in Davidson and they got married on April 8, 1972. In 1973, they had their first of 3 daughters- Sheri. Throughout this time, Gary worked at Well’s Land and Cattle. In 1975, they welcomed their second daughter, Alison. Gary also started working at the Allan Potash Mine that same year. A few years later, Gary and Brian Hembroff started “ Hembroff and Edom Construction”. He also earned his Journeyman in carpentry . In 1977, he built the house that he and Karen have lived in ever since . In 1980, Gary and Karen welcomed their youngest daughter, Joanne. In the late 1980’s, Gary went back to school and got his degree in Government Administration. He then began his career as Town Administrator of Davidson, where he worked until he retired in 2021. In his retirement, Gary loved to travel with Karen and their good friends. They went to Hawaii, The Maritimes, Nashville, San Francisco, Las Vegas, and Toronto ( he LOVED going to watch the  Bluejays play!). Gary loved going to visit his children and grandchildren in Saskatoon- going to their sporting events, taking them to the exhibition, the park and the museum. He also loved when they would come to visit in Davidson. He enjoyed playing cards with friends, watching game shows, nightly bowls of ice cream, and  eating at Red Lobster. Gary was a hard working, community minded man. He had such a wonderful dry sense of humor, and never went anywhere without a huge smile on his face. He was a master of couch naps. But most importantly, he was a cherished husband, dad, grandpa and friend. Gary is survived by his wife , Karen, daughters Sheri ( Donnie) Emling and children Benjamin, Emerson, Makenzie, and Maddy; Alison (Scott) Judd and son Louis; Joanne ( Jordie Gagnon) Tyndall and children Sophie ( Matt), Sam, Gus, and Beck ; sister Wendy ( Steve) Bareham, brother Rick ( Norma) Edom. Gary is also survived by his mother-in-law Carol Riecken, sisters-in-law Gloria (Alex) Morrison, Cheryl Riecken, Donna Russel, brother-in-law Doug (Marnie) Riecken as well as numerous nieces and nephews as well as many wonderful friends. He is predeceased by his parents, Harry and Lenore Edom. Gary’s celebration of life will be held at a later date. Those who wish to donate in Gary’s name can do so to Sask Lung or Charity of Choice.

Hanson’s Funeral Service of Davidson in care of arrangements

94 years of age, of Regina Saskatchewan, passed away on January 4, 2025, at Grace Hospice in Regina.

Al was born on New Year’s Eve, in 1930, to John and Mary Maier of Kronau.  It was the dirty thirties, years of devastating drought, and times were difficult for almost everyone, especially farmers.  Al, his 5 brothers and 2 sisters all learned the meaning of hard work, how to entertain themselves and to earn their own money.  

He lived at Kronau until 1938.  In 1953 he moved to Craik to farm four miles west of town, with his parents.  Al was the only sibling who chose farming as his career.    

In the early 1950s Al worked a variety of jobs in the winter in Regina, excelling at everything he attempted. Because of his work ethic and intelligence, he quickly became the foreman at his construction jobs.   As a salesman, he sold everything from Amana food freezers to Fuller brushes and Electrolux vacuum cleaners. He often won awards for the numbers he sold because he knew the value of always looking the part – a starched white shirt, cufflinks, a suit and polished shoes. Al was very musical, and he became a trumpet player in many local orchestras. 

In the Spring of 1956, Al married Joan at St. Paul’s Cathedral in Regina.  While they were engaged, Al built a little 24 x 24 house while farming. He had a hammer, level, a square and a hand saw. This house was fine until two babies entered the picture and they exchanged houses with Al’s parents on the farm. This gave them lots of room for their expanding family; married in ‘56, Janet in ‘57, Matt in ‘58, Marj in ‘60 and Kathy in ‘62!   

By 1980 all four kids had graduated from Craik high school and had moved away.  Al and Joan decided to build a new home in Craik – Al built it.  He continued to farm until 2009; he farmed for 62 years.

Al was respected for his work ethic and his commitment to the Craik Community. He was a priest’s warden for 45 years for the Anglican church. He remembers telling the priest that he should go to heaven for all the work he did for the church; however, the priest wasn’t making any promises. Al was one of the founding members of the Craik and District Lions Club.  He supported every work bee and fundraising Lions Club event, often recruiting his children to help. He spent many hours maintaining the rink and the legion hall.   In 2023, he was awarded a life membership for outstanding service to the Royal Canadian Legion to recognize his dedication to the legion.

Al enjoyed curling, golf, camping and fishing.  By the late 1970s they were able to spend more time travelling in the winter months.  Eventually they spent winters in Viewpoint, Mesa, Arizona where they had a lovely home.  These were very happy times.

Al is survived by his loving wife of 68 years Joan, daughter Jan Pritchard (Brian), Alex, son Matt Maier (Lana), Jorah, daughter Marj Maier (Rob), Stephen (Nadine) great grandchild Cordelia, Mike and daughter Kathy Black (Rob), Jordan (Kara) and Graham. Al is also survived by his remaining sibling, Gerry Maier.

Al lived by the motto, ‘work hard and play hard.”  He had a wicked sense of humour, right up until the end. He was always the ‘last man standing’ whether it was shovelling wheat, pitching bales or drinking rum. 

Al had a full and wonderful life; he will be deeply missed by those who knew him. He truly believed in making his community a better place.  In lieu of flowers, please consider volunteering for a community organization.

 A celebration of Al’s life will be held on May 31 in Craik.

By Kevin Gilby

Davidson’s Annual Christmas Parade continued to unite friends and families this holiday season. Resi- dents lined the parade route which snaked through town on Dec. 16 in hopes of collecting some candy and maybe sneak a peek at Santa a little bit early. Davidson’s volunteer firefighters, local businesses, organizations and local government all participated to bring joy to the holiday season.

(October 11, 1940 – December 6, 2024)

Carole Wardlaw passed away peacefully in the presence of her family at the Foothills Medical Centre in Calgary on December 6th, 2024. Thank you to the staff at FMC who were professional and compassionate.

Carole was born in the town of Simpson, Saskatchewan in 1940 and grew up in the Town of Imperial with her parents Earl and Agnes Shirkey, and brothers Raymond, Ron and Daryl. She was a member of the United Church Young Peoples group in Saskatoon and forged many lasting relationships.

She attended the University of Saskatchewan where she graduated with an English and Teaching degree in 1963. Her true love was in piano performance where her natural musical ability led to becoming an Associate of the Royal Conservatory of Music (ARCT) in Toronto. Carole excelled at many musical genres, from classical to improvised jazz to Happy Birthday for her family and friends. Carole could not only play from sheet music but she had the gift of playing by ear “just hum a few notes and she could play the song”. Carole was inspired by her Imperial music teacher and friend, Isabel Lewis, and honed her iconic music career.

Carole met Norman Wardlaw at the University of Saskatchewan and was married in New York in 1964 which was soon followed by a very enjoyable wedding reception in Imperial. Together they had two sons, David and Richard and settled in Calgary in 1972. While raising her family, Carole combined her teaching and musical gifts to become a well loved and dedicated teacher at Montessori School. She conducted annual Christmas concerts and assemblies that were enjoyed by students and parents alike.

Carole loved baking shortbread cookies with her granddaughters Olivia, Ayla, Sophia and Clara. She had a deep love of life and spent many joyful hours birdwatching and exploring the outdoors. She was a devoted member of the Evergreens Outdoor Club, Morning Musicale, and a competitive Scrabble group where she formed lasting friendships.

Carole was predeceased by her brother, Raymond (Maria) and her brother-in-law, Alastair (Jackie). She is survived by her loving husband, Norman Wardlaw, her sons, David (Patti) and Richard (Jennifer) and four wonderful grandchildren, her brothers, Ronald (Elizabeth) and Daryl (Shelagh) and many nieces and nephews. A celebration of life for Carole will be held at Chapel Of The Bells – McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, 2720 Centre St. N, Calgary, on January 25th, 2025 at 2 p.m. In living memory of Carole Wardlaw, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes.

Rest in peace, Carole. Your music will play on forever.

Register for the live stream of the funeral proceedings at the below link: https://my.forever. link/register/mcinnis-holloway/ carole-dawn-wardlaw

September 29, 1929 – December 18, 2024 It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Gordon Arthur Book on December 18, 2024, at the age of 95. Gordon will be deeply missed by his loving wife, Ruth, and his children: Brenda (Joel) Hesje, Judy (Brian) Brown, Reg (Phyllis) Book, Gregg Book, and Denise (Paul) Ganes. He was a cherished grandfather to 12 grandchildren and a proud great-grandfather to 13 great-grandchildren. A service to honor Gordon’s life will be held at a later date. To share memories, express condolences, or find additional details, please visit outlookfuneralchapel.com. The family is being cared for by Outlook Funeral Chapel (306.867.8255).