It is with great sadness the family announces the passing of Gwen Walker, age 91, on Sept. 2, 2015 at the Davidson Health Centre. Gwen is survived by her children Marlene Kyle, Wayne Walker and Sharon Urlacher.
She also leaves to mourn her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, one sister and numerous nieces, nephews and other family members. Gwen was predeceased by her parents, husband Alex, one brother and three sisters. At Gwen’s request no funeral service will be held. For friends so wishing, memorial donations in Gwen’s memory may be made to a charity of choice. Hanson’s Funeral Home of Davidson in care of arrangements.
Darren Grindheim July 26, 1977 – September 29, 2015
It is with deep sorrow we announce the very sudden passing of Darren at the age of 38 after a short but courageous battle with cancer. He was predeceased by wife Sandra, grandpa Lloyd Grindheim and cousin Ryan Stilborn. Darren is survived by his children Josh (13) and Abby (10), parents Daryl and Shirley, siblings Dean (Bonnie), Amber (Trevor) Burks, April (Evan) Libke, nieces and nephews Brayden and Carter Grindheim, Isely Burks, Grayson and Bailey Libke, grandparents Don and Bea Bates and Velma Grindheim, as well as numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and his fire family. Darren was raised on the farm south of Hanley and graduated from Kenaston School. He had a passion for helping people and anyone that knew Darren knew that about him. He was an EMT for North East EMS and most recently a Fire Dispatcher for the Saskatoon Fire Department. He was passionate about his job and being a part of the firefighter brotherhood/family. Darren also devoted countless hours as a volunteer fire chief in Hanley where he resided with his kids at the time of his passing. He loved golfing, playing ball, curling (remembering every shot/play of every game so he could talk about it after) and spending time with his family, especially his kids. Darren truly loved his kids and playing with his nieces and nephews. There will forever be a void in our family that will never be filled. We would like to thank everyone involved in Darren’s care from diagnosis Sept. 20 until his death Sept. 29. The celebration of Darren’s life was held in Hanley, Sask., at the Centennial Hall on Saturday, October 3. In lieu of flowers, donations for his children can be made online at www.gofundme.com/tc5a4rak. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Hanson’s Funeral Home.
Meryl Ernest Warren Sept. 24, 1920 — Sept. 9, 2015
Meryl passed away just short of 95 years of a glorious life. He spent his childhood in Lucky Lake, and as luck would have it, so did his long-loved soulmate Hattie. Meryl and Hattie were married Jan. 31, 1942. So to do the math, that was 73 years of marriage! Meryl joined the Royal Canadian Air Force that year as an aero engine mechanic.
After the war, in 1946, Meryl, Hattie and two-year-old daughter Joan came to the Campbell district at Girvin where they would begin their future as farmers. When times were tough in the early going, Meryl worked as an instructor for the six-week courses the university conducted in agriculture and mechanics. He also went up north to inspect registered cereal and grass crops in the spring, and after harvest he worked for the P.F.A.A.
His farm also included registered polled herefords, pigs and chickens. The family moved into their new farmhouse that Meryl built in 1955. The power had just come through in 1954 so the house was completed with all the conveniences that provided. Meryl and Hattie lived there until 1990 when they moved into Davidson.
Meryl had many great loves, but none as great as his family, especially his loving wife. Hattie spent much of her time being a caregiver and a provider, and is one of the big reasons Meryl achieved his longevity. He was once quoted, “It doesn’t matter where I go, as long as I am with my wife.” The Legion was a very special and proud part of Meryl’s life. Some of his other passions were cards, travels, family gatherings and ice cream. In his last few years, he had quite an obsession with pens, highlighters and flashlights!
Meryl is remembered by his loving wife of 73 years, Hattie; his children Joan (Jim) Cross, Yvonne, Miles, Alan (Shelley) and Clifton; Clark (Pat) Warren, Janelle and Nadine (Keith); Sylvia (Terry) McConnell, Ryan, Clinton (Cathy), Lanny (Ellen) and Courtney (Alan); Donna Warren, Jason, Scott (Janet), Mathew (Jessie); Vicki (Kim) Corfield, Jamie (Amanda), Mark (Ricki), Eric (Sarah) and Nicole; great-grandchildren Levi (Cliff), Zach, Cayle (Alan); Evelyn (Nadine); Kade (Ryan), Cass (Clinton); Nathanael, Annika, Rebekah (Jason); Andrew, Jacob, Grace (Scott); Nash, Shay, Zane (Mathew); Briana, Addison (Jamie), Aria (Nicole).
Meryl is also survived by his sister Norma (Garf) Weston and sister-in-law Agnes Fensom, as well as many nieces and nephews. Meryl was predeceased by his loving son Terry.
The celebration of Meryl’s life was held in the Davidson United Church. Meryl would have been delighted with the words Mathias spoke, the music Donna and Gloria shared, the songs, the Legion service and the tribute his granddaughter Yvonne presented. And Meryl would have been very pleased with Todd and Hanson’s Funeral Home for their awareness of every little detail, as that was one of Meryl’s characteristics.
On Sept. 20, 2015 Robertha Fay Webb of Moose Jaw passed away at the age of 68. Even though this was her second battle with cancer, she managed to maintain her very pleasant and friendly attitude. For years she has lifted our spirits with the love and passion she put into the crafts she shared with us.
A very special thanks to the Moose Jaw Home Care Palliative Team that helped allow her to meet the end at home, close with her family. She will be sorrowfully missed by her son Chuck Giguere (Vicki), daughter Linda Giguere-Reiniger (Ian), daughter Sandra Weisner (Todd); 11 grandchildren: Crystal, Neil, Kevin, Erica, Cherie, Koni, Kassandra, David, Victoria, Christopher and Sarah; five great-grandchildren: Riley, Brody, Caz, Danny and William; and all those who knew and loved her. She will also be sorrowfully missed by her siblings Laurel Burnette, Bill Webb (Pat), Richard Webb (Cindy), Rupert Webb (Lorraine), Debbie Swistara, Nada Neil (Bill), Jack Webb, Merry Webb, Bryan Nichols (Kim) and their families.
A memorial service was held in her honour at the Salvation Army Church at 2 Wintergreen Drive, Moose Jaw on Friday, September 25, 2015 at 2:00 p.m.
Instead of flowers please consider making a donation towards finding a cure for cancer and/or heart and stroke disease.
Stephen Peter Zeleny Dec. 26, 1921 — Sept. 20, 2015
On Sept. 20, 2015, a sunny Sunday morning, Steve Zeleny passed away peacefully at Davidson Health Centre with his wife Agnes and daughter Brenda at his side.
He was predeceased by his parents Josef and Annie; all his siblings: Annie, Joe, Nettie, Charlie, Josephine, Tony, Henry, Alice and Gerry, and their spouses; as well as his father- and mother-in-law Joe and Effie Knourek.
Steve was born on Dec. 26, 1921 in Gerald, Sask., the youngest of 10. He attended school in Gerald and began his teaching career shortly after in small, one-room schools.
In 1948, he met his wife Agnes Knourek at a teacher’s convention, and they married on July 1, 1950. While teaching, Steve completed his B.Ed. in 1956 by taking summer school classes.
He and Agnes moved to Success, Sask., where they both taught school from 1951 to 1963. In November 1957, their only child Brenda was born. After two short years in Elrose, Sask., they moved to Davidson, which became the community they called home.
In 1980, Steve retired from teaching, but never slowed down. He was active in the Knights of Columbus and the Parish council, and an avid champion of the Special Olympics and Donor’s Choice, to name a few.
Although he had many interests, his love of travel never waned. Each summer was a chance for the family to explore some place new. They covered Canada from coast to coast many times, most of the United States, cruised the Caribbean, and enjoyed Alaska and Hawaii.
The highlight was travelling to Czechoslovakia to see his parents’ homeland. He would return more than once, taking in the sights from Scotland to Italy. Whether by rail or bus or boat or plane, he was always ready for another adventure. His camera and video recorder were always handy to capture a memory.
His one extravagance was being able to buy a new car and pick it up right at the factory, but at heart he was a man of simple tastes and simple wants. He doted on his wife Agnes and was proud of his daughter Brenda, and found joy in the simple splendour of nature.
He leaves behind his wife of 65 years Agnes, his daughter Brenda and her husband Ted Brown, as well as nieces, nephews and the many friends he made at home and away.
Prayers were held on Thurs., Sept. 24 at 7:30 p.m. in the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Davidson. A funeral mass was held in the Sacred Heart Catholic Church on Fri., Sept. 25 at 1 p.m. with Father Joseph Gyim-Austin officiating.
Interment took place in the family plot on Sat., Sept. 26 at 1 p.m. in St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Esterhazy, Sask., with Father Valentine officiating.
Special thanks go to the staff at the Davidson Health Centre for the care and compassion they showed Steve in the last six years. Steve was admitted to the centre on Nov. 19, 2008.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Davidson Health Centre. Hanson’s Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.
July 27, 1936 — Davidson, Saskatchewan
August 22, 2015 — Calgary, Alberta
With great sadness we announce the passing of James Joseph Hamel on Saturday, August 22, 2015, at the age of 79 years. Besides his loving wife, Virginia (Ginger) Hamel, Jim is survived by his daughter Kelly, sons Peter (Joelle), Scott (Morgan) and their children Lillian and Olive; sisters Theresa Seifert, Stella (Ray) Kergen, Grace (Bob) Worrall, Rita (David) Martel; and brothers Paul (Rose), Edward (Deborah), Alec (Cathy), Philip (Diane); and numerous nieces and nephews.
Upon his father’s death, Jim took an active role running the family farm, later moving to Calgary where he secured a job with the City of Calgary until his retirement. He volunteered for many years as a little league baseball coach and Minor hockey coach. Jim will be greatly missed by family and friends.
