Frederick Charles McAlaster

It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Fred on Tuesday, October 2, 2012 at the Davidson Health Care Centre at the age of 94 years.

Fred was predeceased by his parents Hector and Henrietta, his loving wife Verna May and son-in-law Randy Lorencz. Fred is survived by his loving family: sons Fred (Betty Ann) Hawman and family; Grant (Barb) Hawman and family, Joshua and Nicole; Paul (Denise) Hawman and family Joelle and Brittany; son Blain (Eunice) McAlaster and family, Lisa and Ryan Twa and daughter Gabrielle; daughter Sharon Lorencz and family Jason (Lindsay) Lorencz and Cole; Melody (Daryl) Hubich and Rhyen; Travis (Stephanie) Lorencz and family Hayden, Taylor, Skyler Lorencz and Taunya; brothers Sandy and Pat; sisters Florence, Marion, Jean and Evelyn; also numerous nieces, nephews and sisters-in-law.

The celebration of Fred’s life funeral service will be held at the Kisbey United Church, Kisbey, Sask. on Wednesday, October 10, 2012 at 2 p.m. with Rev. Michael William officiating.

Interment in the family plot, Percy Cemetery, Kisbey, Sask.

For friends so wishing, memorials in memory of Fred may be directed to the Saskatchewan Children’s Hospital, Saskatoon, Sask.

Hanson’s Funeral Home, Davidson, Sask. in care of arrangements.

A memorial service will be held for Fred on Friday, October 12, 2012 at 2 p.m. from the Davidson United Church, Davidson, Sask. with Rev. Diane Eurig officiating.

Peters

Edward Peters (83) of Hanley, Saskatchewan, met death with grace in his home on Wednesday, August 29, 2012. Edward was born on a farm west of Hanley to Nickolai and Sarah Peters in 1929. He loved the farm life, engaging in it fully and creatively. In 1954, Edward married the love of his life, Margaret Koop of Pleasant Point, near Dundurn and together they raised four children. Edward cherished his family, his church and his community and was generous and thoughtful of the needs of those around him.  He was a strong and gentle man who loved music and nature, and had an open-minded and boundless curiosity about the world around him. The loss of his eldest son, Douglas, in 2008 who farmed with him, was a terrible blow to Ed and his family and prompted his retirement from farming and their move into the town of Hanley.

Edward is predeceased by his parents Nikolai and Sarah; his brothers Nick and Henry; Henry’s wife Frieda and his son Douglas. He is deeply mourned and sorely missed by his wife Margaret; son William and wife Virginia (nee Sapsford) of Perdue; daughter Marilyn and husband Bob Gregory of Hanley; daughter Margaret of Saskatoon; grandchildren, Malcolm Peters and partner Jennifer Wist of Saskatoon; Tiffany Peters and friend Regan Schlacter of Saskatoon and Humboldt; Ryan and Sally Gregory (and great-grandson Evan) of Ariss, Ontario; Sean and Makiko Gregory (and great-grandson Julian) of Osaka, Japan; and sister Ella and husband Helmute Dueck of High River, Alberta.

The funeral service was held at the Hanley Community Centre on Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. followed by the interment at the Hanley Mennonite Church Cemetery.

As Ed believed in the potential of young people, the family has established a student scholarship fund in Ed’s name. Donations can be made to the Ed Peters Memorial Fund (at the Royal Bank). Arrangements are in care of the Outlook Funeral Chapel 867-8255.

The family would like to thank the many friends and relatives who have given their support and comfort in so many ways.

Barrie R. “Duke” Storey 1928 – 2012

The local family of Barrie “Duke” Storey regrets to announce the passing of Barrie on September 15, 2012 in Calgary, Alta. Barrie was born on the farm east of Girvin to Andrew and Eleanor Storey on December 19, 1928. His family included brothers Lorne Storey (Dorothy), Randy Storey (Irene) and sisters Lois Podratz (George) and Milan Puckett (Danny). Barrie married Bonnie McCosh also of Girvin. They farmed on the family farm until moving to Calgary around 1970 where Barrie began a career in the oil industry. Barrie and Bonnie were blessed with two daughters, Lynn and Lorraine, who both live in the Calgary area. Left to mourn Barrie’s loss are his wife Bonnie; daughters Lynn and Lorraine, all of Calgary; brother Randy (Irene) of Regina and sisters Milan Puckett of Davidson and Lois Podratz of Saskatoon. Barrie was predeceased by his parents Andrew and Nellie Storey; brother Lorne Storey and brothers-in-law Danny Puckett and George Podratz. Of course, Barrie was better known by his nickname Duke. He was a man well-known in the Girvin area for his good humour and ability to tell a good story. Duke was a big part of the golden age of the Girvin community. His personality brought gatherings of the Girvin community to life. We will all miss him. For all those who shared in Barrie’s life, a brief memorial service in celebration of Barrie’s life will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, September 30, 2012 at the Davidson Seniors’ Centre. A coffee and dessert social will follow. Barrie’s nephew, Clark Puckett, will lead the service. May God bless Barrie, the “Duke” of Girvin.

Sampson, Georgina

Georgina passed away peacefully in Saskatoon on Thursday September 20 at the age of 93. She is predeceased by her husband Ken and is survived by son Norm (Lynne), daughter Tress (Monte), grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Funeral services are pending. Hanson’s Funeral Home of Davidson in care of arrangements.

Firby, Chris

It is with great sadness that the family of Barry Firby announce the sudden and untimely passing of L. Christine “Chris” George Firby of Kenaston, Saskatchewan on August 29, 2012. Chris is lovingly missed by her husband Barry; children Chad (Regan), Renée, and Mackenzie; grandchildren Haley, Jackson, and Summer; her mother Phyllis George; mother-in-law Lorraine Firby; brother Don (Gloria) George; sister Norma Nordquist; nieces and nephews Deanne (Al) Bleackley, Jason (Shauna) George, Blaine (Susan) Nordquist, Jonathan (Candace) Nordquist, and Adrienne (Stuart) Harrop; great nieces and nephews Denver, Laken (Terrance), Dielle, Taron, Gregory, Kealin, Thaniel, Dawson, Carson, Connor, Wil, Isaac and Kayson. Chris meets in heaven her father Peter George; father-in-law Fred Firby and brother-in-law Jerry Nordquist.

We would like to thank the First Responders, Paramedics, Cardiologists, nurses and staff at RUH for their life-saving efforts. Thank you to the hundreds of people who have visited, sent communication, brought items to our homes, made donations to the church and multiple charities, and extended their thoughts and prayers. It is a true testament to the degree of which Chris impacted thousands of lives.

Chris was born on February 25, 1952 to Phyllis and Pete George. On July 10, 1971 she married Barry Firby. Together they built their home and family residing east of Kenaston.

Chris had a charismatic nature, touching each of us in an extraordinary way. She had a natural ability to do things for others, making each and every person she met feel like they were the most special and important person. Chris shared many of Barry’s interests and together they built an empire of friendships across the country. These friends were drawn from sports to the realm of politics. People were instantly attracted to Chris and her infectious personality. It didn’t matter if it was a salesperson, or the Prime Minister of Canada, she made an instant impression on everyone.

Each of us who were touched by Chris undoubtedly have fond memories of her love of hospitality and entertaining, from her passion for cooking, to the beautiful home and yard she created. It brought her most joy to host a dinner party or take food to anything she was attending.

Travelling was upon many of Chris’ favorite pastimes. She was fortunate to have spent many vacations with her family and friends travelling throughout North America, Central America and Europe. She loved spending time with people and these memories she shared were amongst her most treasured.

The joy that the church and community involvement brought Chris was immense.  She was always the first to lend a hand and offer assistance anywhere that was needed. This coming October she will be recognized with the honour of receiving the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for her volunteer commitment.

Chris had an exceptional faith in God. She did not fear death and always said that dying was a part of life.  There is a piece of us that is irrevocably broken, but we find comfort in knowing she rests in peace in eternity.

She was a true model on how to live life in faith, charity, selflessness and generosity. Everything she did for her family and others she did in an effort to either make the everyday occurrences special and more memorable, or make things easier for everybody else. Too often she took on extra to make other’s burdens lighter.

Of all of Chris’ accomplishments, her family was her proudest and most precious. She dedicated her life to being a wife, mother and grandmother. She always looked forward to family days, in particular, those with her grandchildren. We thank her from the bottom of our hearts for being the matriarch of our family and for her love and support in everything we did.

Our family will forever have lost a piece of us and the spirit in which Chris lived was genuinely inspirational to all who knew her. We thank God for sharing her with us and thank her for the beautiful memories. We love you with all of our hearts and miss you greatly. May you rest in peace.

Memorial donations in honour of Chris may be made to the Kenaston Evangelical Missionary Church, PO Box 271, Kenaston, Sask., S0G 2N0.

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

Frances Hoffman, February 19, 1920 – August 9, 2012.

Frances Alma (Neuberger) Hoffman passed away peacefully Thursday, August 9, 2012 at the Davidson Health Centre at the age of 92.

Frances was the first born to John and Helen Neuberger and raised in the Wyandotte district east of Hanley with her three brothers. Frances married Delbert Hoffman of Kenaston on October 22, 1943. They raised two children on their farm in the Allan Hills district east of Hanley. In 1956 the family moved to Kenaston and took over the telephone exchange and Del became the rural lineman. In 1946 Del became an agent for Saskatchewan Government Insurance, Frances continued selling until 1992. Frances was an avid reader, always learning through the Elderhostel programs – history, art, poetry, archaeology, aboriginal culture and photography.

She was a skilled seamstress and helped with the 4H sewing program. She was a contact for community college classes where she learned many crafts, painting, macramÄ, batik, photography, making wood clocks and rock tumbling from her collected driftwood and rock collection. She made sure her grandchildren were exposed to art by taking them to the Mendel Art Gallery in Saskatoon; to the U of S observatory to see the stars and taught them bread making. Frances enjoyed going to the Saskatoon Symphony, the ballet and musical shows. She learned to curl, golf, swim and drive the combine. She was a member of the Kenaston seniors.

Frances’ greatest passion was travel. Delbert and her travelled many times into Mexico, the United States and Canada. After Delbert’s passing, Frances continued her travels to many parts of the world. She walked on the Great Wall of China, rode a camel in front of the pyramids in Egypt, saw penguins on the southern tip of Argentina; the music and architecture of Austria-Hungary, the Acropolis of Athens and saw the icebergs and polar bears in the high Arctic. She loved her Elderhostel trips to Head Smashed in Buffalo Jump, Chaco Canyon and Albuquerque. At age 70 she spent one week tenting and white-water rafting on the Nahanni River, NWT and wondered not long ago if she could do that again.

Frances moved into Primrose Chateau in Saskatoon in 1992 where she enjoyed playing cribbage, the bus outings and her all important morning coffee. In April of 2010 Frances moved to the Davidson Health Centre among the kind, teasing and caring staff. She enjoyed coffee, music and the car rides out into the country. Her last ride was to Jeanette and Bill’s 50th anniversary.

Frances was predeceased by her husband Delbert (1987), parents John (1947) Helen (Linder) (1983) Neuberger, her three brothers John and Grace, Albert, Margaret and Ina Mae, Herbert and Doris, her three sisters-in-law Leona and Gus Nygard, Esther and Irwin Lundy, Jenece and Leonard Singbeil, nephew Darryl Neuberger and her two special friends Nita Tweet and Joan Greggersen.

Frances is survived by daughter Jeanette and Bill Holder, son Albert and Joanne Hoffmann all of Kenaston; six grandchildren Rob and Cathy Holder, Johanna and Jamie Branigan, Tim and Vickie Holder, Brad Hoffmann, Blair and Pam Hoffmann, Alison and Rob Kraft, thirteen great-grandchildren – Amanda Holder, Brett Holder (Kristin), Shayne and Holly Branigan, Logan, Jorden and Brandon Holder, Avery, Teah and Faith Hoffmann, Connor, Reese and Kaylea Kraft, nieces, nephews and friend Pearl Holder.

A celebration of life was held on August 28, 2012 at 2 p.m. at Kenaston Place, Pastor Gene Whitehead officiated. At the register was her niece Judy Leswick, ushers were Clark Tweet and Cindy Carss. Urn bearers were grandson Rob Holder and Albert Hoffmann.

Grandchildren Johanna, Tim, Brad, Blair and Alison paid tribute to grandma by recalling her teaching how to look at the arts, nature, the northern lights and the prairie sky; appreciating those times they went for a swim, baking in her kitchen, going to the art gallery or just a drive. Always admiring the beauty of nature. They all had many special memories. “Do you want to go for a drive?”

Great-granddaughter Holly chose to play Cello Suite 1 by J.S. Bach. Johanna and Shayne prepared a PowerPoint presentation. A medley of favourite music was chosen, including Ava Maria by Nana Moskouri and Danny Boy by Mario Lanza.

Interment was in the Kenaston community cemetery. The Kenaston seniors served lunch. Hanson’s Funeral Service was in charge of arrangements. Memorial donations may be directed to Kenaston Seniors Inc., Kenaston Cemetery Fund or donor’s choice.

A service of remembrance was held at the Davidson Health Centre on August 31. Johanna Branigan of Pickering, Ontario gave her tribute to her grandmother and great-granddaughter Holly played several cello selections.