Category Archives: Obituary

Obituary

Leeper, Edna

Edna Leeper
Edna Leeper

In Loving Memory of Edna Leeper

July 22, 1930 — July 4, 2014

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.

Hanley, Obituary

Reeves, John Andrew

Reeves, John Andrew

Jan. 29, 1923 — June 24, 2015

Hanley District, Sask. — Saskatoon, Sask.

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.

Loreburn, Obituary

Walter Herbert Jess

Walter Jess
Walter Jess

Walter Herbert Jess
1921-2015

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.

Obituary

James Johnston

James Arthur Johnston, 77, of Chamberlain, Sask., passed away May 11, 2015 at the Regina General Hospital. He was born in 1938 in Prince Albert, Sask., to John and May Johnston. He married Olga Wiszniak on August 6, 1958.

Surviving Jim are his wife Olga; two daughters, Cindy Jackson (Peter) of Regina, Sask., and Brenda Johnston, Alberta; four grandchildren, Sean, Katherine, Melissa and Allan; two brothers George (Marion) Johnston and Dan Johnston; nephews, Michael, Melvin, Rick, David, Calvin, Jason, Vincent, Dean, Brent, Stanley, Harry and Tom; nieces Margaret, Susan, Laurie, and Jody.

Jim was a big part of the drilling and exploration community in western Canada. He started as a rig hand working for Regent Drilling in 1956 and eventually became a drilling supervisor. Over the course of a long career he worked in places as diverse as the Northwest Territories and the outback of Australia. He had several careers over the course of his life: drilling operations manager, elk rancher, mechanic, gas station manager, log house construction but always found his way back to the oil patch. His passions included Arabian horses, hunting and fishing, and horseback riding in the B.C. high country.

He loved to socialize with family and friends, especially over a game of cards. And there was no such thing as a bad western on TV.

Davidson, Obituary

Heinrich, Ray

Ray Heinrich
Ray Heinrich

Heinrich, Ray
March 3, 1934 – June 7, 2015

Raymond Deidrich Heinrich was born March 3, 1934 in the Wynyard District. He was the fourth of five children born to Ethel and August Heinrich. The family moved back to Davidson in 1941, where Ray attended Kent School. As a young man — besides helping on the family farm — Ray worked for many local farmers. Other jobs included skid cat operator at bush camps, night foreman during construction of the Gardiner Dam, and road construction in many of the local municipalities. He always came back home to assist on the family farm.

In the spring of 1959, Ray met Pauline Frances Ubell. He proposed in June and they were married on Oct. 21, 1959. Ray was the father of five children: Frances Grace (1960), Betty Katherine (stillborn, 1962), Arlene Joan (1963), Helen Winona (Nonie, 1965) and Michael Deidrich (1969). He always took time out to enjoy special family times.

Ray had a passion for farming, and began living it full time in the spring of 1961. Long days and tough times were the norm for Ray, but he rarely complained. His passion for farming and soil conservation were a cornerstone of his life’s career. He truly believed that what he did today, had to be sustainable tomorrow. “Pay it forward” wasn’t just a cliché. Proud of his farming heritage, in 2014 he was delighted to accept a Century Farm Award — 109 years after the fact. Yes, he was also a procrastinator!

Ray was an avid hunter and fisherman. He loved to play cards of any sort. His winters were spent curling and “bonspieling.” He especially enjoyed tractor pulls where he would perform the “Heinrich Hustle” on his John Deere 80 tractor.

Community minded, Ray served the RM of Willner as Reeve for 12 years, he was a councillor in Arm River, and president of many organizations, including Prairie Diamond Credit Union, Davidson Co-op and Carlton Trail Community College. He was instrumental in securing local doctors and building the municipal doctor’s office, as well as the community centre. He drove the scraper that shaped the Davidson golf course, was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Kinsmen and K-40s. Through his contribution of time to several service clubs, Ray helped initiate the building of the Davidson swimming pool and was an avid curler. Community fund raisers were a mainstay of Ray’s — including acting in dinner theatres that contributed to building the current hockey rink and helping to see a new curling rink take shape.

In Ray’s later years he enjoyed playing cards, reading, following current events, watching his grandchildren in their activities and keeping a watchful eye over the farm.

Ray is survived by Polly, his wife of 55 years, their children and grandchildren: Grace (Ian Sutherland) — Adrian, Nicole and Erik; Arlene (Doug Tetlock); Nonie; Mike (Susanna) — Geena, Jacob and Reggie; brother Ron (Mil); numerous nieces, nephews and relatives.

Funeral service was held on Friday, June 12, 2015 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Father Joseph officiating. Donations in Ray’s honor may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, the Canadian Diabetes association or a charity of your choice.

Davidson, Obituary

Farden, Berne

Berne Farden
Berne Farden

Berne Farden
November 25, 1923 — June 1, 2015

Berne Farden (nee Gruenig) was born to a family of seven in Sundridge in northern Ontario on November 25, 1923. She met Ken during the war in Toronto, and they were married in Macrorie and farmed at Bratton, Broderick, and Davidson. They raised their family of five near Broderick moving to Davidson, where Berne has lived for 48 years.

Berne is predeceased by husband Ken and daughter Sharon.

She is survived by friend and caregiver, Sharon O’Brien; brother Art (Lois); children Peter (Sheila), Susan (Wayne) Stulberg, Keith, and Marianne; grandsons, Kory (Andrea), Kevin (Terra), Kelly (Melissa), and Joshua; and eight great-grandchildren.

A Celebration of Berne’s life was held in the Davidson United Church on June 13 at 2:00 pm. Donations in memory of Berne may be made to the Davidson Health Centre, Davidson United Church, or charity of your choice. Hanson’s Funeral Home of Davidson was in care of arrangements.