Category Archives: Davidson

Davidson, Obituary

Obituary: Puckett, Dwight

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Dwight Puckett
1947 — 2017    

It is with great sadness we announce the sudden passing of Dwight Puckett on Jan. 12, 2017.  Dwight was a devoted husband and family man, extremely proud of his wife, his three children, and equally proud of his four grandchildren.

He spent many hours fishing and hunting with his family, two of his great passions of his life.  He was an avid spectator at his childrens’ and grandchildrens’ sporting events, and was also involved with Boy Scouts and Air Cadets. Dwight spent many years teaching hunter safety courses as well. He had a wide variety of interests, most of which involved the great outdoors — hunting, fishing, flying small planes, and tractor pulling. Who can forget the sound of the Oliver Super 99 pulling the sled down the track?

For the last 15 years Dwight spent most summer weekends at black powder shoots with the Bethune and Saskatoon gun clubs where he made many treasured friends. During the week, he spent his time tinkering at his small engine repair business in Davidson. If you couldn’t find him in there, he was having coffee at the Shell, playing pool at the Seniors’ Centre, or having his “daily Pil” at a local watering hole.

Dwight was predeceased by his parents Neil and Margaret, grandson Allen Nelson, and brother-in-law Ron Balanoff. He will be deeply missed by wife Lynn, sons Bob and Michael (Kim), and daughter Michele (Gilbert) Nelson; grandchildren Trevor and Travis Nelson, Haylie and Hayden Puckett; brothers Jim (Fay) and Merritt; parents-in-law Bob and Phyllis Balanoff; sisters-in-law Penny Anderson, Pat (Kevin) Mackrell, Susan (Dave) Rodzen, Robin (Toby) Balanoff-Hok; step-grandchildren Jeff (Sandy) Nelson, Jeremy (Nicole) Nelson; step-great-grandchildren Shayla, Makayla and Jaxon Nelson.

A Celebration Of Life Funeral Service was held for Dwight at the United Church in Davidson, Sask., on Friday, Jan. 27, 2017, 11:00 a.m.

For friends so wishing, memorial donations in memory of Dwight may be directed to the Arm River Wildlife Federation.

Arrangements in care of Hanson’s Funeral Home of Davidson.

Davidson, Obituary

Obituary: Storey, Peter

 

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Peter Storey

Leslie Peter Storey passed away peacefully on January 16, 2017 in the Davidson Health Centre at the age of 88 years.

Pete was born in the family farmhouse southwest of Girvin, Sask. on February 1, 1928 to Herb and Teresa Storey, a brother to Clarence, age 4. Pete grew up on the family farm and was a true home body even as a child — he loved being on the farm. He went to school in Girvin and stayed with family in Regina to complete his Grade 12, which was quite an accomplishment in those days. He returned to work the family farm. Pete married Anita in 1953 and moved her in to the family farmhouse which they shared with his parents until Herb and Teresa moved in to Girvin.

Pete enjoyed sports, played hockey and ball and cheered steadfastly for the Blue Jays and the Riders. Pete loved horses, owning and raising both riding and standard bred race horses along with brother Clarence on the family farm. He and Nita raised a variety of livestock over the years including chickens, ducks, turkeys, pigs, Hereford and Black Angus cattle, dogs and cats. Pete cared for the earth, not only as a farmer but in his daily actions, meticulously following the 3-Rs of recycling. Pete retired from farming but continued to oversee things from a supervisory role until they moved to Davidson in 2012.

Pete will be remembered by those who knew him for his quiet strength, unending patience and unassuming nature. Pete was predeceased by his parents Herb and Teresa Storey, daughter Karen Lidington, brother Clarence, sister-in-law Erma, brother-in-law Harold.

Pete is survived by his loving family: Anita, wife of 63 years; daughter Susan (Rick) Parenteau, grandsons Colin (Victoria), Joey (Sabrina) — great-granddaughters Kendra and Bella, Spencer (Amanda Peppin); son Brent (Susan), granddaughters Shalene (Kevin) Johnson — great-grandchildren Elle and Deacon, Shannon Storey (Eric Tollefson); sister-in-law Norma McNabb, numerous nieces, nephews and other family members.

Hanson’s Funeral Home, Davidson, in charge of arrangements.

Davidson, featured

New year starts off with a little Gust

Born Jan. 8, Jennifer Anne Gust is the first baby of the year for Davidson. She is pictured here with her mother Samantha and older sisters Jamie (left) and Jocelyn.
Born Jan. 8, Jennifer Anne Gust is the first baby of the year for Davidson. She is pictured here with her mother Samantha and older sisters Jamie (left) and Jocelyn.

By Joel van der Veen

DAVIDSON — A growing town grew a little more on Jan. 8 as the Town of Davidson welcomed its first baby of 2017.

Jennifer Anne Gust was born on Sunday, Jan. 8 at 5:03 a.m., weighing 6 lbs. 13 oz.

She is the fourth child for Brian and Samantha Gust, who are also the parents of Joshua, 8; Jocelyn, 5; and Jamie, 3.

Samantha said the birth came a couple of days after her due date, adding that they went to the Davidson Health Centre at 10:30 p.m. the night before Jennifer was born.

“The doctor told me I’d better get going because she was coming fast,” she recalled.

They arrived at Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon at midnight, and Samantha said it was a smooth delivery.

Samantha is employed in laundry services at the Davidson Health Centre, while Brian works as a janitor for the Case dealership and both grain terminals in town.

Brian is the son of Bob and Nina Gust of Davidson. Jennifer is the Gusts’ 27th grandchild.

Nina said they also have 28 great-grandchildren, adding, “And there’s three more on the way this summer.”

Samantha said the family moved here in May from Lloydminster, adding that the transition has worked out well: “I like it . . . I think the kids like it too.”

She also said her older kids are adjusting well to having a baby around the house again.

“They did really well, better than I thought they would,” said Samantha. “They just love her.”

Davidson, featured

Parishes gather to welcome new priest

Very Rev. Father Kevin McGee (left) officiates the installation of Father Madonna-Godwin Aghedo, O.P., as priest of the Davidson pastoral region at Sacred Heart Church on Jan. 15.
Very Rev. Father Kevin McGee (left) officiates the installation of Father Madonna-Godwin Aghedo, O.P., as priest of the Davidson pastoral region at Sacred Heart Church on Jan. 15.

By Joel van der Veen

DAVIDSON — When Father Madonna-Godwin Aghedo told his colleagues in Nigeria that he was moving to Canada, many had the same response: “Were you not told about the weather?”

Since his arrival in Saskatchewan, the Catholic priest has seen firsthand exactly what they were talking about.

As he said Sunday during his installation, winter is nothing to fear when God is present, and he explained why.

Father Godwin pointed to the list of parishes in the Davidson pastoral region, beginning with Sacred Heart in Davidson and ending with the Immaculate Heart of Mary in Outlook.

With the heart of Christ and the heart of the Holy Mother, he said, “Are you not cared for?”

Around 80 parishioners gathered at Sacred Heart on Jan. 15 for the installation, including visitors from the other parishes in the region.

Officiating at the mass was the Very Rev. Father Kevin McGee, who serves as administrator for the Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon.

For the full story, please see the Jan. 23 edition of The Davidson Leader or call 306-567-2047 to subscribe today.

Davidson, featured

Truck stolen from butcher’s parking lot

Pictured is the white Ford F-350 truck belonging to John Sperling, reported stolen from Davidson on Tuesday morning.
Pictured is the white Ford F-350 truck belonging to John Sperling, reported stolen from Davidson on Tuesday morning.

By Joel van der Veen

DAVIDSON — John Sperling left his truck parked at the back door of his butcher shop on Monday night, with the doors locked and a full tank of gas.

When he returned on Tuesday morning, it was gone.

“My first thought was, ‘I sure hope Jon borrowed it,” said Sperling, but a quick chat with his stepson confirmed his fears.

The truck — a white Ford F-350, dating from the mid-2000s — had vanished from the parking lot behind JMR Meats on Davidson’s Washington Avenue.

The vehicle was stolen sometime between 10:30 p.m. on Jan. 16 and 5:30 a.m. on Jan. 17.

Sperling said police arrived around 8 a.m. to investigate. He also reported the theft to city police in case the vehicle was spotted right away.

Const. Kevin Morrissette of the Craik RCMP confirmed that the truck was reported stolen and that the incident was under investigation.

Police had not identified any suspects as of last week, but Morrissette invited the public to contact the police with any information.

Sperling, who lives in Craik, said having his vehicle stolen gave him a better sense of the frustration felt by others in that situation.

“You feel violated,” he said Wednesday. “I had a knot in my stomach all yesterday morning … (and) I was pretty angry yesterday. It hurts.”

Making matters worse, Sperling said he would also have to replace the equipment that he kept inside the truck, including a power inverter, gun rack and other tools.

Losing a full tank of gas was no small potatoes either, he added: “She was topped right up.”

Anyone with details is asked to contact the Craik RCMP at 306-734-5200.

Davidson, featured

Volunteer fire department looking for recruits

Deputy chief Don Willner and chief Clayton Schilling of the Davidson Volunteer Fire Department pose with the rapid rescue unit at the fire hall.
Deputy chief Don Willner and chief Clayton Schilling of the Davidson Volunteer Fire Department pose with the rapid rescue unit at the fire hall.

By Joel van der Veen

DAVIDSON — Don’t worry if you’re not exactly calendar material — the Davidson Volunteer Fire Department can use your help.

The department is looking for new recruits, putting out the invitation to all men and women aged 18 and older.

“We need members and I don’t care who it is,” chief Clayton Schilling said recently.

“We need to keep our department strong,” deputy chief Don Willner said, adding that local residents need to feel “confident that when they call 9-1-1, somebody’s coming.”

The department currently has 10 active members. That number includes EMS employees, who often have to leave a scene to transport patients to the hospital.

On average, around five members respond to a typical call.

The chiefs said they’re confident in the ability of their modest team to provide a fast and effective response.

But with fewer members, it’s harder to guard the scene of an accident or collision, or to provide relief when firefighters need a break.

“Everyone is so well trained, they have lots of experience,” said Willner, adding that without backup available, “you get physically worn out.”

The department responds to an average of 50 calls a year. About 80 per cent of those are located on or near Highway 11, and the chiefs have noticed a greater volume of traffic, as well as increasingly unsafe driving.

“People are going faster than they ever have, and they’re totally unprepared,” said Willner.

The remaining calls are mostly structure fires and field fires.

The Davidson department covers a large area for rescue service, stretching north to the townline road at Bladworth and south to Chamberlain, extending into the valley around Buffalo Pound Lake.

The main service area includes the Town of Davidson and the RMs of Arm River and Willner, as well as a small part of the RM of Wood Creek. Officials said they have also responded to structure fires in Bladworth, Craik, Elbow and Loreburn.

Davidson also provides mutual aid to other departments, including Craik and Kenaston.

For the full story, please see the Jan. 16 edition of The Davidson Leader or call 306-567-2047 to subscribe today.