Category Archives: Obituary

Marcella Strange

Jan 26,1924- April 18, 2018

It is with great sadness that close friends and family announce the passing of our dear Marcella at the age of 94. She was predeceased by her parents, loving husband Howard in 2007 as well as numerous siblings and other family members.

Marcella (Swede) as she was known to our family was very special. Our bond was unexplainable. She was a very, very independent lady.

We became neighbours with Howard and Swede in 1972 and that was the beginning of a beautiful long-lasting friendship.

She was hands down the best cook east of Davidson, That “little house on the prairies’’ was always overflowing with company and with love. And when you visited (invited or unannounced) you had to eat. And no one said no to Swede’s food.

In the last few years she would say to me, “You can be my daughter’’ There was no question she definitely made me feel like her daughter.

Her biggest worry was when she passed away she was going to leave us a “Big Mess” as she called it. We went to her suite after she left us and opened the drawer she had told us about and there was the Will and a five-page letter hand written in October 2016.

Emotionally we read it. It was like she was still talking to us, so in response. This letter is for you Swede.

Dear Swede

I know you love getting letters! You always kept telling us that you were such a “pest” to us. Well you were the best pest we ever had, and as days go forward we will always remember you and keep you in our hearts forever, We enjoyed many family meals together with our kids and grandkids. These are very special memories for all of us. We all loved your HUGS. I will personally remember our shopping trips to Moose Jaw. You tried on many things and always came home with a bag full. You were the best-dressed little lady in town.

Remember the day you bought 5 pairs of shoes, You said on the way home,“I can’t believe I did that, And those fancy jeans, Wow! And then there was your fancy winter boots. I told the saleslady you were looking for winter boots. She brought you short boots You said, “Those are old lady boots. I want tall fancy ones for church.”

And did you know you missed your hair appointment on April 18. You were a precious little “lady” that was as beautiful on the inside as the outside. You had an infectious smile and Giggle that made everyone smile and a sense of humor that was loved by all who knew you.

Your nieces and nephews all loved you very much. They were a VERY Big Part of your life. The phone calls, the letters and the visits kept coming.

We love you Swede.

XO Biggest hug ever from Randy and Judy Gust; Nicole and Glenn, Kirby and Morgan Manz; Scott Gust, Jill and Garth and Ruby and Keenan Osborne.

P.S. This was the last paragraph of her letter to us:

In case there is any doubt – all my nieces and nephews are wonderful, I love them all. My side of the family and Howard’s.

KASMAR, Leslie

May 11, 1931 – April 13, 2018

It is with great sadness our family announces the passing of Leslie Yvonne Kasmar (Logan) of Saskatoon, SK, on April 13, 2018, at the age of 86.

Leslie was born to Fraser and Alice Logan in Saskatoon along with her siblings Corinne, Blake, and Fraser (Berd). She attended Wilson, Caswell, and Bedford Road schools in Saskatoon, SK. In high school, she received awards for high academics and athletics, especially in basketball. She graduated from the Saskatoon City Hospital Nursing School with the highest grades in the 1952B class.

In 1952, Leslie and Dr. Jim Kasmar eloped and moved to Davidson where their medical practice was established and quickly became an integral part of the community for the next 12 years. They moved to Saskatoon in 1964 with their four daughters, Janet, Sydney, Susan, and Marian. Lynda, the youngest daughter was born shortly after settling into city life.

Leslie enjoyed her life as a nurse, homemaker, wife, Mom and Nana. She was an enthusiastic volunteer with many associations. She spent many hours volunteering for the Saskatoon City Hospital Nurses Alumni Executive and bookkeeping for the medical practice and family. She was an avid sports enthusiast, traveller, pianist, golfer, curler, reader, seamstress, needlepointer, swimmer, family lifeguard and enjoyed doing crosswords and Sudoku puzzles. Her memory was amazing to all! Leslie was educated in healing therapies such as Reiki and reflexology. She was also the “taxi driver” for her daughters while they were involved in dancing and activities, we could not count the driving times back and forth to the dance studio with her five daughters. She was also a very talented seamstress and created many costumes for dance, skating, and baton events.

Leslie and Jim enjoyed their time together with family and friends. They travelled extensively from Hawaii to Mexico, Bermuda, Barbados, US and Europe. There were many family road trips hauling the boat to many lakes (particularly Waskesiu lake) for water skiing and fishing, but the priority was the golf courses that each holiday adventure was based around. Many holidays included a round of golf in the morning, lake in the afternoon and another golf round at supper. We think the boat was really needed to haul the golf clubs! They were also members of the Riverside Country Club and they had many rounds of golf and fun with their friends there. Another sport they both enjoyed and took up was scuba diving, which took them to warm destinations to enjoy the undersea life together. It has been nearly 40 years without one another, and now they will be reunited.

In recent years, while living in special care homes, Leslie continued to show concern and compassion for her fellow residents. She adjusted to her new life style, made friends and as health permitted was involved in resident activities. Leslie struggled with rheumatoid arthritis throughout her life, and many times we called her the “Bionic Women” with all the joint replacements she encountered over the years, but that did not stop her in any way. Through this, she taught her family and friend’s determination, strength, and fortitude. Her grandchildren had a wonderful Nana to learn from and have fun with. One of our favorite childhood memories was playing Owly Owly Owly with her!

Mom and Nana/Granma will be remembered and missed so much by,

JANET Thomson; Jackie (Brodie Uprichard), Beth (André Lalonde), Paul (Cara

Baldwin), SYDNEY Kasmar, SUSAN and David Pezderic; Preston, Mitchell, Raisa Pezderic (Colin McGuirk McNeil), MARIAN and Rob Hoffos; Nicole Smith (Michael), Brooke, Rachel, LYNDA Kasmar; Richard, Ernie, Amanda, along with all her relatives in the Logan, Kasmar and Sim families.

Leslie was predeceased by her husband: Dr. James J. Kasmar (1978), parents: Fraser and Alice Logan, sister: Corinne Hollingshead, brother-in-law: Glen Hollingshead, grandson: Jim Thomson, and son-in-law: Mark Thomson.

On Saturday, April 21, 2018, a burial service took place at Woodlawn Cemetery in Saskatoon, SK. Following, everyone was welcome to attend a Come and Go “Celebration of Life” for Leslie, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. at  The Saskatoon Club.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Canadian Arthritis Society.

Winnifred (Winnie) Scott

June 19, 1919 – March 10, 2018

Winnie Scott passed away Saturday, March 10, 2018 at the Davidson Health Centre at the age of 98.

Winnie was born at the family farm between Craik and Aylesbury, Saskatchewan, the third child of Arthur and Fanny Boyce. She attended Foxbury School with her five other siblings until she graduated from Grade Twelve. She worked for a year as a hired girl and then went on to Normal School in Moose Jaw to get her teaching certificate. She taught school in several different places before and after she was married. One of her teaching positions was at Meryton School just east of Davidson. Here she met Ken Scott and they were married in 1943. Their first home was in the yard at the Scott family homestead. A couple of years later they moved to the Concord district remaining there raising a family of four children. In 1972 they quit farming and moved into Davidson where they had bought the pool hall.

Winnie was always a very active member of the community serving as secretary-treasurer of the Concord School board, the Trenton-Concord Ladies Aide, local farmers union, and teaching Sunday School at Maple Valley. When they moved to Davidson she became very active in the United Church singing in the choir and serving as lunch convener for several years. After moving into town she enjoyed travelling to England and several places in the United States. She enjoyed golfing, re-upholstering furniture, reading, camping, going to the lake and having coffee with a neighbour. She also did a lot of sewing for herself and family. She made quilts for some of her grandchildren doing the quilting by hand.

After Ken passed away in 1987 she became a active member of the Davidson Seniors serving as treasurer for awhile and spent many enjoyable hours there socializing, playing cards and participating in the clubs many activities.

In the fall of 2012 Winnie moved into the Davidson Health Centre where she was well cared for until the time of her passing.

She was predeceased by her husband George Kenneth Scott, an infant son Douglas David Scott; her parents Arthur and Fanny Boyce; sisters Hilda and Mary; brothers Geoff, Harold and Dave; brothers-in-law George Miller and Harlon Bowen; sisters-in-law Lillian, Adele, Gladys and Helen.

She is survived by sons Ron (Lynn), Dick Susan Amrud ) and Grant, one daughter Joan (Paul) Didur; as well as seven grand children and twelve great-grandchildren.

A Celebration of Winnie’s life was held on March 17, 2018 at the Davidson United Church, Reverend Mathias Ross officiating.

Hanson’s Funeral Home of Davidson was in care of arrangements. If you wish donations can be made in her memory to the Davidson United Church, the Davidson Senior Centre or the Davidson Health Centre.

Pratt

Cecil William Pratt, son of Bill and Jessie Pratt, born June 28, 1946, passed away due to a heart condition on March 5, 2018, at home in Aylesbury.

He was predeceased by his mother Jessie in 1973, his father Bill in 1989 and his sister Iris in 2015.

Left to mourn are his younger brother John and wife Albina, their sons Jasen, Nolan and Harlan and their wives and children, as well as Iris’s daughter Debbie and son Brad and their families, also numerous cousins.

Cremation has taken place; a private memorial service will be scheduled for the family. Remember Cecil with your own personal memories. Special thanks from the family to all who knew and helped Cecil and made him part of the community. Also, thank you to Hanson’s Funeral Home. Donations in his name, if you wish, to the Aylesbury Cemetery or Craik Library.

He was a wild Cowboy at heart!

Kochendorfer, Doris

Doris passed away peacefully at the age of 81 on Friday, March 2, 2018 at St. Paul’s Hospital in Saskatoon. Doris was a devout follower of Jesus, loving wife, caring mother, fun grandmother, sister, auntie, mentor and friend. She enjoyed being with her family, working in the community and serving in her church as a volunteer. She is remembered by everyone who knew her as a very joyful, loving and encouraging person.

Doris was born in Penticton, British Columbia on July 13, 1936 to Samuel & Elizabeth Klettke who were faithful followers of Jesus. She was the youngest of six children, and grew up with her family on an orchard in the Okanagan. She was very close in age to her youngest brother David; they were inseparable. Her favourite sport was basketball. She began her work career as a bookkeeper where she met and married Gordon Coldwell, living in the Williams Lake area. They raised four children throughout B.C. She continued throughout her adult life as a secretary in elementary, middle and high schools. In 1976 her husband Gordon suddenly passed away.

Several years later, Doris met Carl at a Full Gospel Businessmen’s Convention in Kelowna B.C. She made the decision to get baptized and declare her faith in Jesus. After marrying Carl and moving to Saskatchewan she worked for Walter Murray Collegiate in Saskatoon, Rural Municipality and the school district office in Davidson. Her unashamed faith continued throughout her whole life. What were some of Doris’s favourite things? Gospel Jamborees, watching programs like Time to Sing and 100 Huntley Street, camping in any form, Hawaii’s sandy beaches and oceans, reading her Bible and a good novel in one sitting, prayer, interceding on behalf of anyone who needed Jesus’ touch or help. Anytime Doris could get her family together, this was the best. And of course, as you all know, a neighbour dropping in for coffee and treats, could come at any time!

Doris is survived by: Carl Ernest her husband of 38 years; her four children, Carrie, Valerie, Jackie, and David; her step-daughter, Melody (Doris was pre-deceased by her step-son, Morley); her children’s spouses, Ralph, Phil, Robin and Clayton; her grandchildren, Andy, Jeanie, Niki, Katie, Jonathan, Jennifer, Jasper, Ashley, Curtis, Kyle, their spouses and Percy; her loving great-grandchildren, Levi, Halle, Tyson, Jazzi, Devo, Liam, Tristan, Kingston, Ella, Logan, Ethan, Aiden, Carter, Vander, Arlen, Hudson, and Hannah; her older sisters, Lydia and Margaret; her cousin Evelyn; many nieces and nephews. She is pre-deceased by her brothers Albert, David and sister Jean. She will be greatly missed by each and every one.

Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her: There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all!” Proverbs 31: 28-29 (NLT)

 In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Sparrow House, Next Step Ministries (Phil & Jackie Reimer); CLIMB Intercultural Society – Got Game (Chia Ashton); Davidson Health Centre. A Celebration of the life of Doris Kochendorfer was held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday March 10, 2017 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 417 Lincoln St, Davidson, SK S0G 1A0. Pastor Ralph Peters of Elim Church in Saskatoon presided. Viewing was held at the church from 11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. with interment following the service at Davidson Community Cemetery. A luncheon reception was at 3:30 p.m. at the Sacred Heart Parish Hall. Hanson’s Funeral Home of Davidson in care of arrangements.

Leah Vanghel

September 12, 1925 – February 20, 2018

Leah passed away Tuesday, February 20, 2018. She was predeceased by her husband Fred Vanghel and son-in-law Joe Chamryk. She was survived by Fred and Jen, Don and Dot, Cork and Hazel, Terry and Julie, Barry and Laurie, Tom and Fran, Connie, numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and special friend Urban McLaughlinn.

Leah loved gardening on the farm, having the grandchildren for the summer, visitors were welcome anytime for the afternoon, or to stay for supper. Family gatherings were one of her greatest joys.

She will be missed greatly by all, her family and friends alike.

The family would like to thank the staff at R.U.H. for care and compassion shown to Leah in her last hours.

A Celebration of Leah’s life will be held at the Redeemer Evangelical Lutheran Church in Davidson, Sask., on Saturday, February 24 at 11 a.m. Viewing and lunch will be held after the service. Arrangements in care of Hanson’s Funeral Home of Davidson.