Gerdie was born on the family farm North of Outlook, Sask., on October 17, 1917 and raised in the Glenside/Outlook area. She attended Happy Hollow School with aspirations of teaching. As a young woman Gerdie moved to Ontario to work in an ammunitions factory during WWII. Mom returned home after the war where she met Ernie Lawrence. They were married in 1951 and together they farmed west of Hanley until Ernie passed away in 1973. Gerdie then moved into Hanley where she was able to remain in her home until this past June. Mom cherished spending time with those she loved, singing with her sisters, watching baseball and her love of curling – travelling to various communities participating in bonspiels. Mom was a special lady and we will all miss her kindness, loving smile, great sense of humour and her AMAZING memory.
Gerdie will be fondly remembered by her sons George (Jackie), Ken (Charlene), grandsons Zachary, Simon (Sebrina); sister Mabel Eliason; sister-in-law Ruby Lawrence; numerous nieces and nephews as well as family and friends. Gerdie was predeceased by her husband Ernest; parents Chris and Marie Anholt; sisters Sophia Torguson, Theressa Wunsch and Nellie McPhee; brothers Anker, Oscar, Selmer and Oliver; nephews Lance Hamrell, Chad Wunsch, Ron Wunsch and Brian McPhee.
The celebration of Gerdie’s life funeral service was held Aug. 5, 2015 at Hanley Centennial Hall in Hanley, Sask. For friends so wishing memorials in memory of Gerda may be directed to the Hanley Evangelical Lutheran Church, or to a charity of choice.
Hanson’s Funeral Home was in care of arrangements.
Gerard Anthony Zdunich, Gary, was a family man, a farmer, a man of faith and a good friend to many. He was known to dance on chairs with his loved ones at weddings, for sharing bottles of sljivovica — having a drink with as many people as he could, and for easily making friends everywhere he went. He was a warm person who made everyone feel like family. He was a rare, great man.
Recently, Dad learned that he had cancer. No one in the world was ready to lose him, but he was invited away from this life and died peacefully with his wife, his kids, and many loved ones by his side on July 30, 2015 at Saint Paul’s Hospital in Saskatoon.
Dad was born on Sept. 6, 1945 at St. Paul’s Hospital. Along with his seven siblings, he was raised on a farm near Kenaston by Tony and Marie Zdunich. Just down the road, Gerard and Regina, his wife of 42 years, raised their four kids on a farm of their own.
Faith, family, farming, and fun were important to Dad throughout his life. He was involved in his church and in the local community donating his time and efforts in many ways. He was kind and generous. He went out of his way for anyone who needed a hand, even for people he had just met. He loved farming and working with his father, brothers, and sons. In recent years he and Gina travelled extensively, but by the end of each and every trip Dad was always anxious to get back to the farm and the quiet days he shared with Mom, days he always started by making coffee for her. He had many good friends, and always took the time to visit and share with them. More than anything else he took great joy in being a grandfather, dancing and playing with and caring for his grandkids. He was Grandpa to four and was looking forward to meeting his fifth grandchild in September.
Dad is predeceased by his father Tony, his brother Louis, his sister Laverne and his niece Elly. He is survived by his wife Regina, his kids Stephen (Sonia), Sandra (Chris), Jonathan (Elizabeth), and Katie (Corey), and by his beloved grandchildren Naomi, Isabelle, Jane, and Jacob.
Prayers were held at St. Andrew’s Parish in Kenaston on Sunday, August 2, at 7 p.m. The funeral was held the following day at St. Andrew’s at 2 p.m. Hanson’s Funeral Home of Davidson was in care of arrangements.
Bryson (former married name Stewart), Elizabeth Mary “Betty.”
Our mother died peacefully on July 1, 2015, while residing at Northridge Nursing Home in Oakville, Ont. She would want this notice to be published in the Davidson newspaper even though very few former friends, acquaintances and patients of herself and her former husband, Dr. Nairn Stewart, may be alive.
Our mother grew up in Toronto and was a graduate of the Wellesley Hospital School of Nursing in 1945. While at nursing school she met Nairn Stewart, of Elstow, Sask., who was a medical student at the University of Toronto. They married on Jan. 5, 1946, and had two children, Tom and Sue. Soon after graduation Nairn set up his family medical practice in Davidson, Saskatchewan where the family went to live.
Nairn and Betty were very very much in love, and quickly built up a group of friends who, we were always told, were very dear to them. Sadly, Nairn drowned on July 27, 1950. Approximately a year later, Betty with Tom and Sue moved East, to live and work in Oakville, Ontario, and to be near her parents.
On two occasions during the 1980s, Betty, accompanied by her son Tom, visited old friends in Saskatchewan, including Nairn’s sister, Margaret Jackson of Saskatoon. Both visits were wonderful times for Betty, and a revelation to Tom. Betty always held very dearly her cherished memories of her times and friends in Davidson.
Please join our family to celebrate the life of Edna Leeper. She was born Edna Anna Rieck in Wilmer, Sask., on July 22, 1930 to immigrant parents from Germany. At age 10 the family moved to Saskatoon. In 1951 she met and married Harvey Leeper, started their life together in Grayburn, Sask. and then Rowletta, Sask. They then moved to Girvin, Sask. where Harvey was the elevator agent for UGG and raised four daughters. In 1979 Harvey passed and Edna remained in Girvin for five years. She then moved to Saskatoon and then Winnipeg, Man. to live with her sister Evelyne. In 1991, Kathy, her oldest daughter moved her to Stony Plain, Alta., area where they shared an acreage home until returning to Saskatchewan in 2007. Edna and Kathy shared another acreage home north of Saskatoon until her passing in Rosthern Hospital on July 4, 2014. She loved gardening and her flowers, crocheting, reading and making her house a home. Her favourite birds in her yard were finches and hummingbirds.
She is predeceased by her parents, Walter and Anna Rieck; four brothers, Heinz, Hans, Guenther and Walter Jr.; her loving husband Harvey; and her favourite pet dog Keeko. Left to mourn and miss her are four daughters, Kathy Leeper, Carol (Ron) Reiniger, June Titley and Claire (Dale) Bennett; one brother, Werner; two sisters, Evelyne Parno and Alice Rushinko; three grandchildren, Clayton (Whitney) Markson, Chad Markson/Reiniger and Alexander Reiniger; four great-grandchildren, Zachery Markson, Dutch Markson, Liam Marskon and Finn Markson; and her two pets, Lily (mini dachshund) and Mr. Tweeter (canary).
A Lutheran service led by Rev. Sonje Finnestad will be held in Davidson United Church on Saturday, August 1, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. Lunch will be served after the service in the basement. Her urn will then be interred at Girvin Cemetery to join Harvey. In lieu of flowers please send a memorial donation to the Canadian Cancer Society, 101 – 440 2nd Ave. N., Saskatoon, Sask. S7K 9Z9.
John will be remembered by his wife of nearly 65 years, Jean; daughter Betty (Judson) Willms of Dundurn, Sask.; sons Harold (Janice) Reeves of London, England, and Dale (Karen) Reeves of Hanley, Sask.; grandchildren Tom Willms (Tina Armada), Jennifer (Lyle) Dombrowsky, Caitlin (Marc) Colletti, Tracy (Dustin) Shaw; siblings: Ken Reeves of Moose Jaw, Helen Geall and Marguerite Gibbens of Saskatoon, Gladys Macfarland of Calgary, Albert (Lorraine) Reeves of Sherwood Park; in-laws Bill (Bernice) Presnell, Laverne (Ken) Libke, Pat (Gordon) Libke, and Elaine Presnell.
John was predeceased by his parents Harold and Ruth (Sjolvold) Reeves; sister Mary (Paul) Mayes; sister-in-law Kay Reeves; brothers-in-law Clifford Geall and Bill Gibbens; father-in-law and mother-in-law Jesse and Bertha Presnell; and brother-in-law Ron Presnell.
It is with sadness and fond memories that the family of Walter Jess announce his passing on June 12, 2015 at Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon, at the age of 94 years. Walter was born in Herbert, Sask., on February 19, 1921 to Max and Adelheid Jess when the family farmed near Chaplin, Sask. While he was young the family moved to a farm near Shaunavon, Sask. It was here where Walter took all his schooling at Avon Heights School. In 1937 the family moved to the Strongfield, Sask., area to farm. In 1948 Walter met Stella Olson, who had moved to that area to teach school. They were married July 7, 1949. They were blessed with three sons, Garry, Glen and Doug, and a daughter, Sharon. Walter loved farming — growing grain and raising livestock, mostly Simmental cattle. He always had a faithful dog by his side. Walter was active in the community. He was a member of the Harrowby and Hawarden school boards for many years, served as a trustee of the Skudesnes Lutheran Church board and also the Rosedale Municipal Agricultural Committee. But his family was his greatest joy. He travelled many miles taking his children to their Scouting and Girl Guide meetings, to hockey or ball games, figure skating lessons, Confirmation classes, piano lessons and he enjoyed fishing and doing other activities with them. It pleased him to farm together with his “boys” for several years, and to watch his “little girl” mature into a fine lady. In 1997 Walter and Stella retired to Saskatoon where he enjoyed looking after the yard, the buildings, growing a garden, and going to McDonald’s for coffee early every morning. Walter and Stella enjoyed several holiday trips over the years – to Ontario, Los Angeles, and to several other states in the U.S.A., to the World Fair in Vancouver and several other trips. He especially enjoyed going to Germany where the highlight of the trip was visiting his father’s home place. In 2014 they sold their house and moved into Luther Riverside Terrace where they anticipated good times to be had. However, failing health plagued him since moving. He will be remembered for his flashing smile, jovial laughter and quick-witted remarks.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Stella Jess of Saskatoon; sons Glen Jess (Debbie) of Kenaston, children Mike (Aura) Jess and Lacey (Fielding) Simpkins; Doug Jess (Marlene) of Elbow, children Travis Jess and Dallas Jess; daughter Sharon Evans (Brock) of Saskatoon, children Jonathan Evans and Nicole Evans; daughter-in-law Gladys Ringdal (Bill) of Outlook, children Jeff Jess, Charity Jess and Brandi (Brad) Berquist; five great-grandchildren, Garry, Reid, Rhett, Madison and Lincoln; and many relatives and a host of friends.
Walter was predeceased by his parents Max and Adelheid Jess, son Garry (2003), brothers Bernard and Henry, sisters Ann Lovell, Heidi Sippola and Pearl Buchholz, as well as many of his in-laws.
The funeral service was held on Tuesday, June 16, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. at Skudesnes Lutheran Church near Loreburn, Sask., with Pastor Randy Meisner officiating. The eulogy and tribute were given by Lacey and Nicole, the Bible readings by Charity and Brandi. Music consisted of a piano and violin duet by Sharon and Nicole, a solo by Floyd Childerhose, duet by Eleanor Charman and Pat Olson along with congregational hymns. The guest book was attended by Walter and Muriel Tastad. The pianist was Joan Libke. The ushers were Dick Tastad and Ross Vollmer. The pallbearers were the seven grandsons. Interment was in the Skudesnes Cemetery. Lunch was served in the lower church hall following interment. Arrangements were in care of Outlook Funeral Chapel.
