William (Billy) Malinski (1982-2020)

It is with great sorrow and sadness that the family of William (Billy) Malinski announce his sudden passing on September 1, 2020.

He is survived by his mother Mary, his brothers Jason and Dean and his beloved children Vernalynn, Jazmine, William (Billy), Zeus and Skyla.

William Howard Malinski was born in Melfort, Saskatchewan on October 22, 1982. Billy lived in Saskatchewan for most of his life, living in Melfort until his family moved to Clandonald, Alberta in 1990. There, Billy and his brothers would build forts near their acreage home and try to keep the gopher population down by a determined hunting effort.

In 1996, Billy’s family moved back to Saskatchewan, settling in Davidson. Here Billy attended Davidson High School and worked for Clark and Dan Puckett on the farm south of town. After his schooling, he worked for a time at Panther Packaging building pallets. He was a skilled worker who loved working with his hands.

As his life progressed, he worked on the oil rigs, did roofing and stucco projects, and operating a heavy rock crusher where an accident claimed a finger. Billy loved music, especially popular music from the 80’s and 90’s. He also loved watching good movies, something he later enjoyed sharing with his children on “movie nights” with popcorn and snacks.

Billy had a great sense of humour and loved making people laugh. He will be sorely missed by his loving family and friends. Saskatchewan has lost one of its sons and we pause to honour his life.

A graveside Memorial Service will be held at Warren’s Memorial Gardens at Swift Current, Saskatchewan on Monday October 5, 2020 at 2 pm. Clark Puckett, Certified Funeral Celebrant, presiding.
Please note there has been a change of location.

With much sadness the family of Lorie Semanski announces her sudden passing on September 5, 2020 at Airdrie, Alberta.

Lorie is survived by her dear husband Ken, brothers Larry Thomas and Richard (Sandy) Thomas plus her nephew Chad. She also is survived by many cousins and friends.

Lorie was predeceased by her mother and father, Susan and Peter Thomas, infant sister Maureen, and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. She also lost her two Shih Tzu puppies Zoie and Echo just recently.

Lorie grew up on the family farm near Davidson and completed schooling there. Further training in human resource was taken when they moved to Winnipeg. She worked for the Province of Saskatchewan in Regina, then with the Canadian Post Office in Winnipeg and Calgary.

In 1985 Lorie married the love of her life Ken Semanski. Ken and Lorie enjoyed traveling and visiting with friends and relatives, Lorie especially liked visiting her family, plus aunts and uncles in Davidson. They also enjoyed raising Shin Tzu puppies (Sophie, Zoie and Echo).

Due to Covid-19 concerns funeral services will be planned later.

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Carol Lynn Gust of Regina, SK. Carol passed with family by her side on September 2, 2020, after a hard-fought battle with cancer.

A family funeral service was held in her childhood home of Davidson on September 10, 2020. Carol was born in Edmonton, on February 8, 1966.

She lived in train stations in Lacadena, Aylesbury and Central Butte before living in a ‘real’ house in Davidson. She loved spending time visiting her Mom’s family on the farm in Southern Saskatchewan. She graduated from Davidson High school and moved to Regina where she received a degree from the University of Regina.

Carol was married to Carlton Gust on July 27, 1991; they were married 29 years and have been together for 39 years.

Carol worked in I.T. for Agriculture Canada, CGI and the Co-Operators where she made many lasting friendships. She was strongly passionate about wildlife and animals and when she wasn’t reading about them, observing them or helping them, she was spending time at the family cabin, on the beach in Mexico, attending arts and craft shows, visiting with neighbours, watching thunderstorms from the deck, and reading with her “farm” cats in the evenings.

Prior to becoming ill, she was also actively involved with the WRSoS as a wildlife rescue volunteer and planned on engaging more with them in her retirement.

Carol is survived by husband Carlton, daughter Emily (Jordan), son Brody (Alexa), mother Alfreda, mother-in-law Nina, sisters Rosemarie (Scott), Susan (Marc), half-siblings Kerry (Edz), Alaina, Kendra (Luke), Michael (Haylee), sisters and brothers-in-law, many nieces and nephews, aunts and uncles, cousins, as well as numerous other close family and friends.

Carol is preceded by her father Keith, father-in-law Robert, uncles
Gordon, John, and sister-in-law Sandy.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Carol’s name to the
Wildlife Rehabilitation Society of Saskatchewan (WRSoS), Salthaven West, Bright Eyes Dog Rescue (BEDR), the Regina Cat Rescue (RCR), or Early Childhood Intervention (ECIP).

The family of Carol Gust wishes to thank the Allan Blair Cancer Clinic, and the nurses, doctors and staff of the 3B unit at the Pasqua Hospital for the great care they took of Carol and her family over the past eight months. Hanson’s Funeral Home of Davidson was in care of arrangements.

Gerald (“Gerry”) Leon Cooper of Saskatoon, formerly of Hawarden, passed away peacefully in his sleep early on September 5, 2020 at St. Paul’s Hospital, with his loving wife of 60 years, Lorraine, by his side. He was 88 years old.

Born to Clarence Owen “Tim” Cooper, and Leila Ione “Nammy” Cooper on August 26, 1932 in Strongfield, Saskatchewan, Gerald Leon Cooper was the third of four children; brother George and sister Maxene coming before Gerry, with sister Darlene arriving
later. The family moved to the Hawarden area when Gerry was quite young, settling and farming along Highway 15, eleven miles west of Kenaston where the old red barn still stands with the sign “C.O. COOPER & SONS”.

Gerry attended Avonlea School, which was located a mere 400 yards from his home. He was known to run away from school to be with his mother “Nammy” – a loving relationship that lasted
throughout her 101+ years of life. Gerry attended high school in Hawarden, living with his Grandpa Potter where he spent more time honing his billiards skills that he did in Algebra. He always said he had no use for school, but he must have picked something up along the way as he was a masterful writer and excelled at writing poetry, always quite comical and insightful. His recitals were reserved for special occasions like family and community functions.

After high school Gerry worked a year for CP Rail before joining Pomfrey Motors. He would purchase the operation in 1956 and change the name to Cooper Motors. He sold International Harvester
machinery, General Motors cars, operated a gas pump and service station, and even had a lunch counter. He closed the garage in 1963 and started farming with his brother George and brother-in-law Bob Blenkinsop. As most farmers are, Gerry was very handy and was an especially good welder. In his younger years he sold arc welders farm to farm and could lay down a bead as good as anyone. He loved farming with George and Bob. The three of them got along so well and there were never many disagreements. He spoke fondly of those years on a regular basis and treasured the memories.

Gerry married Lorraine Wick on July 16, 1960. They went on to raise three children together in Hawarden: Daryl, Kelly, and Michael. At passing, Gerry had 9 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren that all brought endless joy to “Grandpa” when they visited. Not only did Gerry love his own children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, he loved all children. He drove school bus for over 30 years and he coached and managed numerous baseball and hockey teams. He loved the day-to-day interactions involved with children, often chiming that, “he got everyone up and going in the morning.” He loved watching kids compete and play sports, continuing throughout his entire life, as he followed his grandchildren around to their countless sporting events. Gerry’s love for children is
especially evident from the numerous tributes received since his passing; from those that rode on his bus, or played on one of his many teams. He was constantly teasing them and engaging with them in a caring and loving way.

His many nieces and nephews, his grandchildren or any of our friends can give testament to the genuine love and attention he showed them. He was a Cub leader and he enjoyed being Akela. The Cub Scout Law includes always do your best, think of others before
yourself and do a good deed everyday. That was Gerry in a nutshell. He mastered that art and it came naturally to him, with a constant smile and those warm and honest eyes. Community service was important to Gerry. So much so that one could say serving the community and the public was truly Gerry’s life’s work. He was a
proud and active member of the Elks as a Chartered member of Hawarden Lodge 468, which was formed in 1961. He remained active in Elkdom until his death.

For the last ten years he was the co-director of the Elk’s Saskatchewan Senior Citizen’s Homes alongside his dear friend Tony Koval. Gerry, alongside Tony, carried out his last task – a meeting in Rosetown – the day before he went into the hospital. Gerry started attending the annual Provincial Conferences in 1965 and attended each Provincial Conference for 54 consecutive years – a record that may never be broken. Other roles Gerry served as an Elk include: Exalted Ruler of Hawarden Lodge (two times), Provincial President (1976-77), District Deputy, and the Corby Curling representative for many years. He also made sure to curl every year in the Elks
men’s Provincial, mixed, and regional bonspiels where competitive curling and fellowship was a highlight of the year. When it came to Elks traditions, Gerry memorized the words for each ceremony, and would often be called upon to say the 11 o’clock service – a solemn ceremony that he took seriously and performed with exceptional dignity, as he did for all his civic duties. He was always the congenial
man with a smile, an opinion, and open to other’s ideas, but was also appropriately serious when required.

Gerry loved sports. He played junior baseball and senior hockey, but he truly excelled at curling. Throughout the winters of 1960’s and
1970’s, there were bonspiels in every small town. Dad and his crew barnstormed the area and the big city spiels with much success. They brought home many prizes and had a lot of fun doing it. He had many rink mates over the years but the ones that did the most together were Bob Blenkinsop, Roger Slatnik and Link Steabner.
The four of them are certain to challenge for the Saskatoon Spiel Grand Aggregate they lost by a technicality (a draw masters error that Dad mentioned from time to time) now that they are back together again. Gerry loved small town Saskatchewan, and was a great advocate for rural people. He was Mayor of Hawarden for over 30 years and leaving Hawarden to move to Saskatoon was difficult on Gerry. His heart remained well-rooted in Hawarden and area for the rest of his life. He was a master draw maker and ran numerous sports days and curling bonspiels and continued to help his kids learn the trade as they started doing the same. He was always promoting Hawarden and other communities in the area. He would literally do anything to help another. Gerry was also a steward at the Hawarden United Church, a member of the Outlook Union Hospital Board, a softball umpire, the icemaker and caretaker for the curling and skating rinks, and was never shy to offer his opinions on how to improve to the local softball team, the Hawarden Hawks.

Gerry was a family man and always made sure the family went on a summer vacation. Whether it was truck campers or tent trailers the family went camping. Dad also liked traveling across the Province and the country for Elks events or following his kids in sports. When his grandkids started playing Lorraine and him followed them as well
travelling around the Province and as far as Halifax. Once again he had opinions on how to improve each team he watched and he was usually right. In their later years, Gerry and Lorraine took many bus trips and tropical vacations with dear friends. While in Mexico at the age of 80, our ever adventurous Gerry went parasailing.

Among his life of community service and love of family, he also enjoyed a good time and could really carry a tune singing if someone was playing a piano. He enjoyed people so much and no one, and we mean no one loved life as much as he did. There are very few people that can go through life without a bad day. And like all of us he had to have had his highs and lows, but he never showed it. He was a master at living for the moment that so many psychology books are written about today. He was “always” present all the time with anyone and everyone. He was never distracted when he was engaged in a conversation; you always had his full attention, a lesson that we all can learn and take away as we reflect on the state of our life today and our ever present phones. His love for people usually resulted him and Mom his loyal companion being the last to leave the party. (God Bless Mom for her patience). He never wanted to burden anyone and that was true in his final days and especially in the hospital where he was so gracious to the nurses. He was a man who gave more that he got but never expected anything. His joy was in his service. He lived life with a passion that very few on Earth could touch. He woke every morning looking forward to what the day would bring, always with a smile, a sense of humour, an ingrained dignified humility and solid sense of who was and what his
life was all about. His absolute joy for life makes it all that much harder for those of us closest to him.

Gerry is lovingly remembered by his wife, Lorraine Cooper; his
family: Daryl Cooper and his family, Austin Cooper, Kelsey (Brandon) Thompson, Jory (Kim) Cooper (Maisie & Robin), Reid Cooper and Justine Cooper (Justin Unruh); Kelly Cooper (Stan Lyle) and her family, Derek (Stacy) Guy (Logan, Tristan & Jayden), and Blair (Shaun) Jouan (Kayson & Kezley); Michael Cooper (Yvonne Jess) and his family, Daniel Cooper (Leah Pelley) and their family, Christian, Nave, Rosealynn & Tori and Tanner Cooper (Kaytlin Keinick) and their family, Grayson & Alayna; sister, Darlene Blenkinsop; sisters-in-law, Ruth Cooper, Geraldine Torguson,
Carol Wick; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his mother and father Lelia and Tim Cooper; his mother and father in law Elizabeth and Olaf Wick; brother George; sister Maxene Sather; two infant children, baby Boy Cooper
and infant daughter Ramona Cooper; grandson Jared Cooper; and by brothers-in-law, Norm Sather, Bob Blenkinsop, Bill Wick & Clarence Torguson.

A private family service and burial was held Friday, September 11. A Celebration of Life and social will follow at a later date the way Gerry would like, people and community gathering for fellowship. The family would like to acknowledge the amazing staff at St. Paul’s palliative care unit for the compassionate care for Gerry throughout his time spent there. Funeral services are entrusted to Outlook Funeral Service (306) 867-8255. Donations in memory of Gerry can be made to the Hawarden Cemetery Fund Hawarden, Sask S0H1Y0 or to SPARC (Elks Foundation for Hearing and Deaf Detection for children) Room 21, Ellis Hall, RUH, Saskatoon. S7N0A3 or a charity of your choice.

Arnie Doell of Davidson passed away on August 31, 2020, at the Davidson Health Centre.

Arnie was born on a farm near Elbow, the fourth eldest in a family of five boys and five girls. As with most farm kids, he began at an early age doing chores and working in the field. He attended Rosemae, a nearby rural school for eight years.

He bought his first half-section of land while in his teens. To supplement his income he became a grader operator for R.M. of Willner. Later he operated large earthmoving equipment during the building of Gardiner Dam.

Arnie met a school teacher, Yvonne Krakowka and they were married on August 18. On July 10, 1967, their life was changed with the arrival of their daughter, Colette.

Arnie and his partner, Dan Puckett, started up a company Puckett and Doell Earthmoving, at first digging farm dugouts and then building municipal roads and parts of No. 11 highway. Arnie continued farming as well, and later with his wife Yvonne owned and operated Sam’s Steakhouse for 3 years. Never one to sit still in
retirement, Arnie enjoyed pumping gas, washing windows and visiting with customers at Gunner’s Gas, owned by his grandson Chris.

Arnie enjoyed travelling and with their young daughter Colette visited numerous vacation spots around the world. During semi-retirement they toured much of Canada and U.S.A., in their fifth wheel. Colette and her three children, Chris, Chelsea, and Chantelle, often accompanied them as well.

Arnie and Yvonne finally settled in Mesa, Arizona, where they spent the last 22 winters. Arnie enjoyed golfing and fishing. He especially enjoyed ocean fishing near Alaska and P.E.I.

Arnie is survived by his wife of 62 years, Yvonne, his daughter Colette; his grandchildren Chris (Natasha Larsh), Chelsea (Jonathan Powell), and Chantelle (Kyle Toner); his great-grandchildren Sebastien and Brielle Larsh-Cline; Isaac, Nixon, and Hudson Powell; and Ellie Toner. He is fondly remembered by his sisters Gladys (Roy)
Walters, Rose (Gordon) Biddle, Jennie Anderson and Faye Schneider and his brothers Jerry, Arthur and Wayne (Judy) Doell, and by Yvonne’s sisters Sylvia Lauderdale and Delphine Wittrock.

Arnie was predeceased by his parents Peter and Annie Doell, grandson baby Charles Cline, sister Elsie Elias, brother Lorne and brother-in-law Alf Schneider, Harry Elias, Bob Anderson, Bob Lauderdale and Tom Wittrock.

His grandchildren will remember him as their father-figure seemingly stern yet soft-hearted and generous. They could count on him for unconditional support when it was needed. A rather private person, Arnie had a few close and special friends.

A family graveside service was held at Davidson Cemetery on Saturday, September 5. Pastor Joshua Winters presided.

On August 5, 2020, Raymond Nicholas Perpick passed away at his home in Bonnington, B.C., at aged 84.

Raymond was born on September 14, 1935, to parents Emil and Anna Prpick, and raised on the Prpick family farm near Bladworth, Sask., along with his siblings Hazel, Stanley (Bud), Joseph, and James.

During his high school years he met and fell in love with his future wife, Pauline Louise Bublish. They married on June 6, 1959, and were happily together until Pauline’s death in 2018. In 1962, Raymond and Pauline moved to Humboldt, SK, where Raymond established and ran the successful Humboldt Feedlot and Auction Mart, and together with Pauline, created their family of Mary Jo (Margo), Patrick (deceased), Laura and Jennifer.

In 1978, the Perpick family moved to Saskatoon, where Raymond developed business interests in real estate, life insurance, and financial advice. From 1987, Raymond and Pauline shared their time between Saskatoon, where their daughter Laura continues to live, and travelling regularly to New Zealand, where Mary Jo (Margo)
and her family live, and BC, where Jennifer and her family live.

Jennifer and her family were with Raymond when he died suddenly. He is survived by his loving children and their partners, Hamish Kenworthy, Michael Grass and Eric Chevalier, and his beloved grandchildren, Austin Grass, Vincent and Roman Kenworthy, and Daisy and Lola Chevalier, as well as his brother Bud (Stanley).

Given the current restrictions on travel between Canada and New Zealand, and on gatherings, due to COVID-19, a service and celebration of Raymond’s life will be delayed, probably until the summer of 2021.

Special thank you to Cindy Moleski for capturing, and retrieving this special photo of Ray.