November 21, 1940 – September 15, 2024

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the peaceful passing of our beloved husband and father Tom on Sunday, September 15, 2024 at St Paul’s Hospital Palliative Care Unit, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, with his family by his side. Tom will be missed by his wife Audrey, daughters Karen and Kim (JR – Jada and Chris), his sisters Jenny, Elaine (Mike) and Doreen. Also survived by Audrey’s siblings and spouses, numerous nieces and nephews and friends. Tom was predeceased by his parents Harry and Ellen, father and mother in-law Wes and Mary, brother in-law Alex, nephew Kevin and niece Nicole. A celebration of Tom’s life will be held at the Sacred Heart Parish in Davidson, SK on Thursday October 24 at 1 p.m., immediately followed by lunch and refreshments in the Parish Hall. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made in Tom’s name to the Davidson Volunteer Fire Department and the St Paul’s Palliative Care Unit. Private family interment at a later date. Arrangements entrusted to Hanson’s Funeral Home Davidson.

Isobel Landin was born June 19, 1942, and passed away September 26, 2024, in Moose Jaw, SK.

Isobel was born to Anne (nee McNeil) and Angus Sinclair and became a little sister to John. The family lived in Girvin, SK where they ran the hardware store. They also farmed grain and raised livestock. Later, Davidson, SK became home.

Isobel decided she wanted to be a hairdresser so trained in Saskatoon and later ran her own shop in Davidson.

Isobel married and later became a mother to her daughter Stacey in 1968. After the marriage ended, Isobel and Stacey moved to Saskatoon. A few years later, a job offer to teach hairdressing in Moose Jaw came and off they went.  Moose Jaw was home from 1977 on.  After teaching, Isobel was a store clerk and then found Home Care. This work was her pride and joy; caring for and cheering on her clients was her specialty for 28 years until retirement.

While working at Home Care, Isobel saw a lack of fairness and decided to do something about it. She found strength she didn’t know she had and joined with coworkers to form a Union. As a result, working conditions saw a vast improvement that she was so proud of. Isobel was empowered by and immensely proud of her Unions SGEU and SEIU and the greater Labour Movement.

Isobel’s life’s work though was raising and caring for Stacey.  This is where she truly excelled and surely spent much time frustrated and exasperated as Stacey grew into an independent and motivated woman with a loud voice often spattered with curse words. Isobel’s pride in Stacey’s accomplishments large and small was immeasurable. Isobel loved Stacey’s friends as her own. Once Yogi came into Stacey’s life, she cared for and loved him in the same way. Her friends were innumerable and she loved them dearly, with Joan and Jim Cross and family and Phyllis Heath topping the list.

Stacey’s political activism drew Isobel in, and she became a dedicated New Democrat. She involved herself wherever she could. Just days before she passed, she asked Stacey to arrange for a mail-in ballot for the upcoming Provincial Election.  That order was made and approved and it’s certain she will be upset it couldn’t be cast but she certainly will be cheering from the sidelines.

Isobel will be remembered as a kind and gentle soul. She was a Superwoman for her family and close friends. She loved to sew, quilt, crochet and bake. She had a love for game shows, scratch tickets, word searches, kids and dogs.

Isobel was predeceased by her mother Anne (1987), father Angus (2008) and brother John (2018) along with dear Aunts, Uncles, Cousins and many dear friends.

Left to mourn are her daughter Stacey (Yogi Weber), bonus grandchildren Whitney Meacher (Rick) and Kevin (Lauren) Meacher; beloved great-grandchildren Cecelia, Spencer and Georgia; and her treasured granddogs Lily and Louie along with dear friends and family. Mom we will miss and love you forever.  Thank you for being everything we needed.

We wish to thank Dr. Brabant, F.H. Wigmore Hospital ER and Medical Ward staff for their kind and gentle care of Isobel and our family.

The Funeral Service for Isobel was held on Saturday, October 5, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. in Moose Jaw Funeral home.  Pastor Doug Shepherd officiated. Flowers are gratefully declined.  Those so wishing may direct donations to The Moose Jaw Humane Society Box 1658 Station Main Moose Jaw, SK S6H 7K7 or Hunger in Moose Jaw Inc. 269 Stadacona St. West Moose Jaw, SK S6H 1Z4.  Arrangements are entrusted to Moose Jaw Funeral Home, 268 Mulberry Lane.  Shirese Noble Funeral Director 306-693-4550 www.moosejawfuneralhome.com

July 23, 1946 – September 30, 2024

Ronald passed away peacefully at his residence, Cozy Nest Care Home. He is predeceased by his parents, Bernard (Wilma) Jess, his parents-in-law Paul (Helen) Kerpan, his sister and brother-in-law Irene (Roger) Christensen and his brother-in-law Darryl Kerpan.

He leaves behind his loving wife Karen, his four children, Kevin (Pam), Bradley, Coralee (Kevin) Vollmer and Loretta (Mark) Anderson, as well as many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and nieces and nephews.

Ron was an avid farmer, and he loved gardening and planting flowers. They moved to Saskatoon to be closer to Karen’s dialysis until his passing. A special thank you to the staff at Cozy Nest Care Home who made his last few days peaceful.

No funeral arrangements have been made at this time. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or the Kidney Foundation of Canada. Hanson’s Funeral Home of Davidson in care of arrangements.

M.L. Whittles of Kenaston received the Coronation Medal at a ceremony on Sept. 10. The medal was  presented to her by the Government of Saskatchewan at the King Charles III Coronation Medal ceremony in Saskatoon. The medal was awarded to recognize M.L.’s service and contributions to Saskatchewan and Canada. 

The King Charles III Coronation Medal was created to mark the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III, which took place on May 6, 2023. It is the first Canadian commemorative medal to mark a coronation. This medal is a tangible way to acknowledge significant contributions and achievements of citizens across the country while also honouring His Majesty’s service to Canada.

Kenaston residents, along with the surrounding communities, celebrate the accomplishments of M.L. Whittles. “Congratulations M.L.! We are so proud of you and look forward to your continued work with the Government and the SHA.”

(This information was submitted to the Leader.)

National Hockey League icon Lanny McDonald owes his life to three quick-thinking bystanders after going into cardiac arrest at Calgary International Airport in February 2024.

One of those honoured for saving McDonald was Davidson nurse Sheri Warkentin. Warkentin, Rajdeep Cheemaand Denise Geck, were in the right place at the right time for the former Calgary Flame and Toronto Maple Leaf winger. The three were honoured by the Calgary Police Service (CPS) on Sept. 13 in Calgary.

When recalling the incident, Warkentin told the Calgary Herald she was with her husband when they came around a corner in the airport and “things just looked weird.” They kept walking before noticing a man on the ground who appeared to be receiving CPR. She remembers handing her bag to her husband and rushing to help. “My brain was going so fast,” she said when recalling the events of the day. Warkentin didn’t know who the man she helped was until a police officer approached her later in the airport and let her know it was McDonald.

“I would have helped anyone,” she said. Warkentin and the officer exchanged information, and he later nominated her, along with the two other civilians, for the award. On the CPS Facebook page, the department shared the story of their actions on that night.

On Feb. 4, 2024, Rajdeep Cheema noticed a man experiencing a medical emergency at the Calgary International Airport, and immediately began performing CPR. Two off-duty nurses, Sheri Warkentin and Denise Geck, had just gotten off an incoming flight and were walking to their connecting flight, when they recognized the medical event in progress. Sheri and Denise quickly took over performing CPR, allowing Rajdeep to find a nearby AED. A CPS member (Jose Cives) quickly rushed over, and together, the four of them tirelessly worked to re-establish the man’s heart rhythm, alternating between CPR and using the AED, ultimately saving his life. (McDonald) was stabilized and transported to hospital where he recovered.

We are honouring Rajdeep Cheema, Sheri Warkentin and Denise Geck with the Award of Exceptional Recognition for Lifesaving,” the post said without mentioning McDonald or Cives by name. McDonald was happy to be at the ceremony with those who saved his life.

“It was an honour for Ardell and I to attend the event last night, and with pride watched my life savers Jose, Denise, Sheri, and Rajdeep receive their awards,” McDonald said. “As the recipient of not only their excellent training, but of their selflessness and care, I cannot explain my gratitude for their brave actions. 

“We were humbled to sit in a room full of heroes, surrounded by first responders and citizens alike who have made a difference in so many lives.“ I have four new lifelong friends,” he added, “and I could not be prouder to know these amazing individuals.”

(Information from the Calgary Herald and CTV Calgary.)

July 14, 1933 – September 5, 2024

Kenny was born July 14, 1933 on the Rink home place to Henry and Theresa Rink. He was the 6th child in a family of 8 children.

Kenny spent his early life farming with his family, and later with his brothers. His love for horses started at an early age as they used a team of horses for the farm work for many years. He went to Meuse School and joined the Meuse Ball Team (which he was very proud of), his favourite position was first base. He and his brother, Walter had a team of greyhound hunting dogs leading to his second love, dogs. He was never without a dog on the farm, in all the years they lived there.

Kenny also enjoyed hunting and teaching his children and grandchildren to hunt. It started with gophers with many of them advancing to hunting big game. Fishing was his time to relax and enjoy the nature with his children and grandchildren. Many of the family still share their Big Deer and Big Fish stories they shared with their Dad and Grandpa, to this day.

Kenny met the love of his life Ione “Happy” Dempsey at a dance at Danceland in Manitou Beach. He loved to dance and had a beautiful singing voice, that anyone who was lucky enough to hear him sing, would agree to.

Kenny and Happy were married on October 11, 1958. This year would have been their 66th anniversary. They started out their marriage at the home place where he grew up, living with his brother Walter. Eventually they moved to their own home place, where Kenny and a few of his brothers and brothers-in-law built a brand-new home. This was where they lived until retiring to Saskatoon.

Kenny and Happy ran Sunset Ranch with their family. It was a mixed grain and cattle farm. This included purebred Charolais cattle as well as commercial cattle. There are still lots of memories shared about chasing, treating and sorting cattle.

Kenny and Happy raised 4 children: Brad Rink; Wes (Brenda) Rink; Della (Murray) Siroski & Rod Rink.

They now have 9 grandchildren, Garrett Rink, Everet (Megan Wetherill) Rink; Tyrel (Echo Fettes) Rink, Kendra (Kevin) Koerting, Chandra (Patrick) Tumu; Blaine (Jamie) Siroski, Courtney (Daylon) Korolchuk; & Daphne Rink.

They also got to enjoy 3 great grandchildren, Bryden and Kaysen Korolchuk & Inara Rink.

Kenny is survived by one remaining sister Murial as well as many sister-in-laws& a brother-in-law, nieces & nephews.

Kenny was predeceased by his parents, Henry and Theresa; son, Rodney Rink, brothers, Walter and Raymond; sisters, Margaret, Alice, Marie and Kathleen.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Kenny’s name to the Alzheimer’s Society of Sask. A funeral service for Kenny will be held at 2:00 p.m. at the farm of Kenny & Happy Rink on October 19, 2024.