Category Archives: Obituary

Dixon, Clayton Wayne

Clayton Wayne Dixon
Clayton Wayne Dixon

Dixon, Clayton Wayne
1991-2015

With heavy hearts we lovingly say farewell to our son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin and friend to many, Clayton Wayne Dixon.

Clayton’s life journey began when he was lovingly welcomed into the world on March 28, 1991 by his overjoyed parents JoAnne and Darren Dixon, and many family and friends. Clayton was a charismatic young man who lit up any room he entered, exuding positive energy, and happiness, he could fill a room with laughter.

Clayton was a compassionate and kind individual, a true gentleman. Clayton would make everyone laugh with his quirky sayings and fun loving attitude. Some of Clayton’s quotes that bring laughter and fond memories to his family were “Ride that f*****,” “That’s a rookie mistake,” “Guys gotta,” “Rope the dummy,” “mix it in,” “you earned it,” “everybody gets one,” “good finds,” “Jo Dawg, buy me something,” “don’t think just rope,” and “today’s a good day.”

If you couldn’t find Clayton in the arena roping you could find him down at the barn with his black shadow Pepper Dog, “roping the bones, putting in man hours.” Clayton led an accomplished life, which included a talented rodeo career. Clayton’s successful rodeo career included a performance at the Canadian Intercollegiate Rodeo Association finals. Clayton was a big part of the rodeo family always willing to lend a hand behind the bucking shoots to the timed event end. Clayton also finished a diploma in team roping, beer drinking and skirt chasing at Lakeland College, which also included a solid foundation in agricultural studies. In recent years Clayton’s love of ranching was evident as his relationship with his father grew into a partnership on the ranch.

Clayton will be lovingly remembered by his family and friends. His memory leaves an everlasting positive impact on all the people he knew.

To know Clayton, was to love Clayton.

A celebration of Clayton’s life was held in Findlater at the John Edwards Memorial Field Rodeo Grounds on Friday, July 31 at 4 p.m. In lieu of flowers, friends and family can donate to the Cowboy Crisis Fund that is being established in Clayton’s honour. Donations can be made at any Royal Bank to the Clayton Dixon Cowboy Crisis Memorial Fund.

Hanson’s Funeral Home of Davidson was in care of arrangements.

Kerpan, Wayne

Wayne Kerpan
Wayne Kerpan

Wayne Kerpan
Feb. 23, 1952 — July 28, 2015

Wayne slipped away peacefully July 28, 2015 after enjoying his morning coffee and watching a little TV. His hard-fought battles with health challenges were always met head-on with determination, a smile and considered just another bump in the road. Wayne loved to laugh and was most proud of his family and their achievements. He was born in Davidson, SK and grew up in Kenaston where he attended school until Grade 11 and then enjoyed attending Grades 11 and 12 at St. Peter’s College in Muenster, SK. Wayne farmed for over 23 years at Davidson where he lived with his wife Lorie and raised three children. Wayne is survived by his wife of 41 years, Lorie (nee Bohrson); their three children, Tera (Harley) Berndt, Sharleen (Owen) Waddington, Scott (Ang) Kerpan; grandchildren, Drew and Janae Berndt, and Keagan, Nicholas and Haylan Waddington; parents, Doreen and Martin Kerpan; sisters, Andrea (Steve) Gerich, Pam (Craig) Wilson, Marla (Lyle) Frusen; sisters-in-law Cecelia (George) Eikel, Linda Ewen, Van Mostowchuk, and many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins. A Memorial Service was held at Acadia-McKague’s Funeral Centre on Saturday, August 1, 2015 at 2:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation or a charity of donor’s choice.

Lawrence, Gerdie

Gerdie Lawrence
Gerdie Lawrence

Gerdie Lawrence
October 17, 1917 — July 29, 2015

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.

Zdunich, Gerard

web-obit-zdunich

Gerard Zdunich
Sept. 6, 1945 — July 30, 2015

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, Elizabeth Mary

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.

(Tom Bryson, Barrie, Ontario.)

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.