The family of Amy Bessey (nee Stakiw) is saddened to announce her passing on Tuesday, May 17, 2016.
Amy was born January 6, 1920 in Saltcoats, Sask. She was raised in Foam Lake, Sask. where her father was a section foreman for the CPR. She is lovingly remembered by her three daughters: Valerie (Ken Krpan), Lorna (Orest Marusiak) and Darlene (Ken Pontikes); grandchildren: Brian Krpan (Karen), Marcia Kimmerly (Jim), Mark Krpan (Charlene), Michael Krpan (Diana) and Zoe Pontikes; great-grandchildren: Rachel (Jack), Johnny (Bobbi), Luke, Jarred, Raylene, Ryan (Carlyne), Tyson, Quinn, Kendale and Sarah; great-great-grandchild, Makenna Amy; and sister-in-law Evelyn Mills, as well as a very large extended Bessey/Stakiw family.
She was predeceased by her husband Fred Bessey. Amy trained as a nurse at the St. Paul’s School of Nursing in Saskatoon (1943) and Vancouver (1944). Amy married Fred Bessey in 1945 and they operated the Commercial Hotel in Bladworth for 20 years. She returned to nursing at the Davidson Union Hospital during this time. In 1965 they moved to Montgomery Place in Saskatoon and she returned to St. Paul’s Hospital. She spent the next 20 years working in the Nursery with newborn babies and their mothers, retiring in 1985. Amy was an avid sports fan. She loved fishing and camping and her family have many fond memories of these times with her and Fred. For many years they never missed the Bladworth Sports Day. She enjoyed dancing, gardening, baking, playing cards, bingo and the slots at the casino. The lived in Mesa, Arizona during the winter for 18 years spending the rest of the year at Brantwood Estates in Saskatoon. For nearly the last decade she resided at Cedar Gardens.
A celebration of her life was held on May 25, 2016 at McClure United Church.
Memorial donations can be made to Bladworth Cemetery Fund or St. Paul’s Hospital School of Nursing Alumni Scholarship Fund.
Walter Clarence Hembroff April 14, 1923 — June 15, 2016
Walter passed away peacefully at the age of 93 at the Luther Special Care Home in Saskatoon where he had received excellent care for the past three years. He is survived by his loving wife of 67 years Gertrude (nee Klimack) and their children Brian (Margaret) Hembroff, Jeff (Lisa), Ronda (Devin), Joni (Avan), Krista (Derek), Markie (Cody), Adele (Jason), Colette (Jeremy), Corinne (Kelly); Betty (Jim) Steinhauer, Jeff (Cerissa), Julie (Rick); Barry (Marilyn) Hembroff, Jamie (Christina), Randy, Amanda; Barb Dolan (Brad), Jon (Stephanie), Jenna (Andrew); as well as numerous great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his parents Harold and Mary Jane Hembroff, his eight siblings and numerous brothers and sisters-in-law. Walter was always a very hard worker. He built their first home in Russell, Man. (he dug the basement using a shovel and a wheelbarrow). In early years, he hauled wood and grain with his own truck. He then hauled bulk fuel (in barrels back then) for British American Oil. He was the first general manager for the Co-op in Russell, Man. The family moved west to Davidson, Sask., in 1965 where Walter worked as the Co-op farm supply manager until his retirement in 1983. Walter and Gert then moved to Saskatoon where he enjoyed a long, healthy retirement. He enjoyed a good joke and watching almost any sport on TV and of course, the news. Walter had a very strong faith. He loved his Lord and Saviour and was actively involved in his church, always helping out wherever he could. He will be dearly missed by everyone who knew him. The Funeral Service was held at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 22, 2016 at Faith Lutheran Church (2801 Preston Ave, Saskatoon, Sask.). In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Luther Special Care Home (1212 Osler St., Saskatoon, Sask., S7N OT9.) Arrangements in care of Lisa Ruf — MOURNING GLORY FUNERAL SERVICES, SASKATOON, SK. (306-978-5200) www.mourningglory.ca.
In the early morning of May 26, 2016 after 77 years of life, God called home our dad, grandfather, great-grandfather and brother. Les is now racing in the big race with his best friend Willie by his side.
Les was predeceased by his parents Peter and Martha Friesen.
He is survived by five children: Cindy (Doug) McLaren, Jackie Friesen (Terry), Dianne (Garth) Schollar, Carrie (Scott) Isbister, Brent Friesen (Ann); eight grandchildren: Dwane, Brad (Larissa), Kyle (Shelby), Kevin (Heather), Dean McLaren, Kayla and Shane Schollar, and Brina Pipko; great-grandchildren: Dylan Sweet, Lexi and Kaden McLaren, and Elizabeth McLaren; as well as his brother, sisters and extended family.
Les’s five children laid him to rest in the family plot at Girvin Cemetery, Girvin, Sask.
Memorial donations in Les’s name can be directed to the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
Hanson’s Funeral Home of Davidson in care of arrangements.
Stan passed away peacefully on May 29, 2016 at the age of 65 after a nine-month battle with pancreatic cancer. He will be forever loved and remembered by his partner of 17 years, Brenda Ochosky, his children Stephanie, Chad and Erin (Dan McCrank) and his two young grandchildren Sophie and Ava.
He is survived by his siblings Geraldine, Maureen (Scott Turnbull), Vickie, Eugene (Jennifer Gaye), Barb, Maria (Tim Bekolay) and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and great nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his father Robert (Barney), his mother Margaret and his brother Dale.
Stan was born in Davidson, Sask., and raised on the farm until he was nine years old and then his family moved to the Town of Davidson. After graduating from Davidson High School he attended the University of Saskatchewan College of Agriculture and worked on a potato farm in Outlook, Sask. He had always dreamed of being a farmer.
In 1972, he married Isla (nee Riecken), moved to Calgary, Alta., and worked for the Gulf Oil Refinery. He had season tickets to watch the Calgary Flames and attended many games with his long-time, best friend and neighbour, Howard Robson. Stan and Isla began raising three amazingly intelligent and exuberant children there. The prairies called to Stan and he moved the family to Saskatoon in the early 1980s. He began working as a welder with the Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan (PCS) at the mine in Allan, Sask. Stan and Isla parted in 1998. Brenda came along in 1999 and they developed a friendship over their mutual interest in horses which later blossomed into a relationship that took them on many adventures. They attended many Saskatchewan Amateur Field Trial Association (SAFTA) field trials, took annual summer wagon treks with horses and a wall tent in the Foam Lake/Wadena area and along the river near Kyle, Sask. They loved travelling together to the Edmonton Rodeo and Regina Agricultural Fair and also travelled to Mexico, Las Vegas, Lake Havasu and Phoenix. Going anywhere with Stan was always an exciting experience, even if it was only 50 miles away. Stan bought a cabin at Etters Beach on Last Mountain Lake in 2001 and Brenda and Stan then divided their time between the lake and their other adventures. He was an avid golfer and played many rounds at the Imperial, Sask., golf course. Stan was planning to spend winters in a warmer climate and work on improving his golf game. Stan retired from PCS Allan on Sept. 30, 2015.
Stan was an outdoorsman through and through, an adventurist, hunter, athlete and champion trap and skeet shooter. He raised and trained pointing dogs and was a horseman. He played hockey and ball in his early years in Davidson, played ball with the Saskatoon Yellow Jackets (Western Major Baseball League), curled for many years at the Sutherland Rink in Saskatoon, was a member and past president of the Saskatoon Gun Dog Club/North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association, and was also a member of the Saskatoon Gun Club, the Saskatchewan Amateur Field Trial Association, the Saskatoon Wildlife Federation and Ducks Unlimited.
Stan had a keen sense of humour, a warm charming smile, an infectious laugh and the wheels never stopped turning in his mind. He thoroughly enjoyed a good joke. He was a great storyteller and loved reading, but only historical books. “If it isn’t true to life, then I don’t want to read or watch it” were his exact words. He watched the History Channel avidly and piqued the interest of those around him in that direction. He had an interest in classic cars and restored his own 1972 Ford Mustang Mach 1. He loved watching the Barrett Jackson Auctions, Dream Car Mechanics and Monster Garage. He so enjoyed birds, flowers and growing some juicy tomatoes. His other interests included antiques, art, boating, sailing, fishing, trains, planes, and anything wildlife related. He was always looking for the next treasure whatever it may have been as he was a collector — of everything and anything that sparked his interest. In the past few years he also delved into his Métis ancestry and collected items related to his heritage with pride. He enjoyed a well-deserved Caesar (his were the best) when he permitted himself time to stand still for at least two minutes. He never sat around long. He was always working on something or lending a hand to friends and neighbours. He never went anywhere without meeting a new friend and he was always eager to chat.
A Celebration of Stan’s Life will be held on Friday, June 10, 2016, at 2:00 p.m. at the Town Hall in Davidson, Sask. In lieu of flowers donations in Stan’s memory may be made to the Saskatoon Wildlife Federation, Ducks Unlimited, Communities in Bloom Davidson or a charity of your choice. The family thanks the staff of St. Paul’s Hospital Palliative Care Unit and the wonderful doctors and nurses at Royal University Hospital (especially Jodi and Dr. John Shaw) for their excellent care. Arrangements are entrusted to Todd Lockwood of Hanson’s Funeral Home in Davidson, Sask.
Elizabeth “Betty” (Siroski) Rolheiser September 1, 1950 — May 2, 2016
Family and friends of Elizabeth Rolheiser are mourning the loss of a mother, sister, aunt, teacher and kindred spirit. After a very brief but intense battle with cancer, Elizabeth went to her final rest on May 2, surrounded by loved ones at St. Paul’s Hospital in Saskatoon. She will be remembered fondly by those who shared in her life, though this profound loss will also linger in our hearts.
Elizabeth was born to Frank and Rita Siroski and was raised on the family farm east of Kenaston. Her bothers Robert (wife Cathy) and Murray (wife Della) as well as sisters Anne (husband Travis Alder) and Maureen (husband Dennis Rempel) as well as numerous brothers- and sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews loved her and carried her in her hours of need.
Elizabeth took leave of her children Claire (husband Cameron Dyck), Tyler (wife Stephanie Dotchin), and Stephanie (husband Trynton Bowers), who will carry her legacy of love with them in their hearts. Elizabeth’s two grandchildren, Genevieve and Isabelle, will remember nothing but smiles, hugs and unconditional love. Elizabeth will find rest with those who have gone before her, including her husband Denis (deceased July 2009).
To all of her many dear friends, thank you for sharing in her journey and comforting her during the past weeks. Elizabeth was remembered on Monday, May 9 at a Funeral Mass at St Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church in North Battleford, Sask. The Battlefords Funeral Service provided the funeral arrangements.
WILDFONG, Elaine Susan (nee Adelman) May 1, 1940 — May 2, 2016
It is with great sadness and much love that we announce the passing of our dear mother, Elaine Wildfong of Wetaskiwin, on Monday, May 2, 2016, at the age of 76 years.
She is survived by her loving family: children Wendy (Bob) Courtepatte, Terry Wildfong, Donna (Rodney) Bleakney and Doug (Audrey) Wildfong; grandchildren T.J. Wildfong, Chad (Nicole) Wildfong, Evan Dux, Sarah (Jesse) Hutchings, Dustin Gowler, Corey Gowler and Ian Wildfong; great-grandchildren Payten Jaime, Lincoln, Emma, Eli and Bobby; as well as many friends and extended family.
Elaine was predeceased by her husband James; parents Christian Jr. and Susanna Adelman; brothers Jim and Bob; brothers-in-law Lyle Hardy and Byron Berglund.
A memorial service was held.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the First United Church (5115 51 Avenue, Wetaskiwin, Alberta, T9A 0V3) or to the Volunteer Association of the Cross Cancer Institute, care of the Alberta Cancer Foundation (710-10123 99 Street, Edmonton, Alberta, T5J 3H1), in memory of Elaine Wildfong.
