• It is with great sadness and regret we announce the passing of our father Lloyd Herman Dircks at the age of 84. He passed away peacefully in his sleep on July 22, 2011 in Humboldt.
  We were reunited with our father in 1982 and our love as a family was rekindled. In that time we knew our father. We found him to be a kind, gentle man with a great sense of humour.
  In the years that we let slip by they become a patchwork of good and bad days, failures and successes, joys and disappointments, like every life that has not been derailed by catastrophe or tragedy however gigantic or mundane. It’s just life’s journey. Our father had a lot of courage to travel through this life’s journey. Courage is the fortitude to keep moving forward, with a smile, good sense of humour, that is a gift our father gave us.
  As we all walk through this life
  unheard by some,
  unseen by others.
  It is the heart’s song of loneliness that is hard to still.
  Time sifts away slowly like seeping sand.
  We meet our father who took our hand.
  Rest in peace Dad till we meet again.
  Fly with the Angels.
  He was predeceased by our mother, Gladys Marilyn Reicken from Girvin, Sask., and his only son, James Martin.
  He leaves behind three daughters, Adele (husband Keith), Donna Lee, Joanne Faye (husband Neil); five grandchildren, Niki (husband Shane), Brandon (wife Christine) and James’ three daughters Jessica Lynn, Sarah Jo and Katlin D. and five great-grandchildren, Tyler, Jaeden and Amanda of Regina and Daylen and Araya of Calgary.
  Memorial to be announced at a later date.

• Olive Kathleen (nee Ramage) Carlin, September 25, 1930 – September 19, 2011.
  Olive, dearly beloved wife of Ian, died on Monday, September 19, 2011 at Agapé Hospice. Olive was born in Edinburgh, Scotland to Thomas Craig Ramage and Catherine Isabella Moors Cruickshank on Sept. 25, 1930.
  Left to mourn her passing are her beloved husband, Ian; her brother and sister-in-law, Alan and Florence Ramage of Edinburgh, Scotland; and her nieces, great-nieces and nephew. Also the dear and faithful friends here in Calgary.
  Olive worked for many years in the operating room at the Old Children’s Hospital on Richmond Road in Calgary, where she did her best to help sick children, “her children” as she called them. Olive loved her garden and along with Ian enjoyed testing out different fruits and vegetables. Neighbours and friends often came to inspect the very tiny kiwi fruit. Olive was an active member of the genealogy community, volunteering in both the Family History Centre and the Alberta Family Histories Library, both in Calgary.
  Olive and Ian have a house in Kenaston.
  God sent me an angel when I needed one,
  now she is taken away.
  Memorial services and reception to be announced at a later date.

It is with great sadness that the family of Marlowe Phillips announces her passing on August 2, 2011 at the Davidson Health Centre, with her family at her side. The funeral service for Marlowe was held on August 11, 2011 at the Davidson United Church.
Marlowe is survived by her loving family: sons, Dale (Jan) Phillips, Darryl Phillips; daughters, Patti (Ron) Deck, Beverlee Rausch (Darcy Anderson), Judy (Chuck) Cline; grandchildren, Dylan, Kendra, and Hazen Phillips; Josh Phillips; Christian and Jessica Noble; Brennen and Christine Rausch; Krystal Jess; Chad and Ashley Cline; brother Jack and Lorena Gould; also several nieces and nephews, as well as her kitty, Tia, who was very special to her.
Marlowe was predeceased by her parents Betty and Ernie Gould; her loving husband Ray Phillips; grandson Corey Phillips; and in-laws Ted and Violet Phillips.
Marlowe’s family wishes to send a very special thank-you to Dr. Lang and all staff at the Davidson Health Centre for all the wonderful care Mom received; Brian Hanson and Todd Lockwood for all their guidance and help they gave the family; Diane Eurig for the wonderful service on short notice due to Marlowe’s grandson only getting a few days to come from B.C.; Tom and Fran Vanghel for their wonderful hospitality giving us a meeting place; Lorrie and Janine Webber, Ashleigh Beckie and Gordy Pankretz for the extra bedrooms; and last, we would like to send a special thank you to Trudy McCreary for all that she did for Mom through the years, even adopting Mom’s cat Tia, and to all Mom’s close friends that helped her over the years.
Sincerely, the Phillips family.

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Matt on Thursday, August 11, 2011 at the age of 98 years at the Davidson Health Centre. He was predeceased by his wife Nellie; grandson Lyle; parents George and Mary Pillipow; brothers Russel and Ladimer; brothers-in-law John Kapuschuk, Joe Schwab, Ron Bennett, Fred Firby, Jim Smiley, Joe Bax, Harold Schatz, George Crawford and Joe Matonovich; sisters-in-law Mickey (Delia) Bax, Shirley Huggins, and Bunny (Bernice) Firby. He is survived by his son Norman and daughter-in-law Lynda; granddaughters Janice (Joe) Halabura, Jill (Nels Howells) and great-granddaughter Payton Halabura; brothers and sisters Olga Kapuschuk, Mike (Florence) Pillipow, Elizabeth Schwab, Helen Bennett, Alex (Inez) Pillipow; brothers and sisters-in-law Edna Pillipow, Myrna Pillipow, Janet Crawford, Audrey Matonovich, Ron Firby, Lorraine Firby and Ray Huggins, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Matt was born on July 29, 1913 in Goodeve, Sask. His family started a homestead in the R.M. of Stanley in Goodeve in June of 1908. In the fall of 1925 they moved to Northern Ontario for the winter. But in 1926 they returned to Saskatchewan and rented a farm in the Horseshoe Lake District by Kenaston; they remained there until 1928. When Matt was 15 the family then bought land in the McCraney School District. In 1936 he started farming on his own 15 miles northeast of Kenaston in the Wyandotte School District. The family still farms and remains in the area today. On September 26, 1938, Matt married Nellie Firby of Kenaston. They had a son, Norman, in 1941. Growing up, Norm and his dad began farming together, fishing, curling and horseback riding. In 1965 Norm married Lynda Mills and built their home in the same family yard. Then came the grandchildren, Janice born August 25, 1968, Lyle on August 26, 1972 and Jillian on May 15, 1984. In January 2006, Payton was born to Janice and and Joe Halabura. Matt now had his first great-grandchild. Matt was well-known as a hard-working farmer. He took great pride in his farm and enjoyed being part of this operation until 2010, when he somewhat retired. Matt and Nellie enjoyed various holidays during their time together: Hawaii, Puerto Vallarta, Alaska, as well as many bus trips to the States. Among these was his favorite, the Golden Nugget in Las Vegas; he was always lucky at the slots. Years ago Matt enjoyed playing the guitar and violin for school and barn dances, and in later years for his family and friends. He was always considered a good carpenter and helped build the Hills Curling Rink, Kenaston Curling Rink and with Norm and Lynda’s home. He also helped with many of his neighbors’ projects. Matt was an avid curler during the years, curling with his son Norm, and others in local bonspiels and schedule curling. There was always time for visiting neighbors, friends and family. Years ago it was nothing to hitch up a team of horses to a cutter and travel for miles. He and Nellie were always in close contact with the Pillipow and Firby families and enjoyed card games and get-togethers with them. Most of all he was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. On August 28, 2004 Janice married Joe Halabura and Payton Joelle was born January 9, 2006. Jill became engaged to Nels Howells of Kenaston in February of 2011. Matt’s granddaughters were of great pride to him and he enjoyed the company of their young men as well. He enjoyed showing them the ropes around the farm and they in turn enjoyed the stories he had from past years. Matt enjoyed picking apples with Payton and her company in the big truck at harvest, Jill driving the combine and Janice and Payton riding in the truck with him. Matt resided in his home in Kenaston, that he and Nellie built, till April of 2011. He enjoyed coffee row and visiting with friends and neighbors. Most of all Matt enjoyed coming to the farm. Special thanks to everyone at the Davidson Health Centre, they made his last four-and-a-half months peaceful and gave him such good care. Matt’s funeral took place August 16 at Kenaston Place, with St. Columba Anglican Church’s Rev. Derek Nichols presiding. Genuine thanks to the pallbearers, ushers, readers and registers and to his granddaughters, Janice and Jill, for giving the eulogy and preparing a PowerPoint presentation of his 98 years. Grandpa would have been so proud! Special thanks to Hanson’s Funeral Home. Sincere thanks to all that shared in his life, sending cards, flowers and gifts. Matt will be lovingly remembered and sadly missed by his family, Norm and Lynda; Janice, Joe and Payton and Jill and Nels.

February 3, 1948 – August 5, 2011
Ralph died peacefully at Sherbrooke Community Centre. He was predeceased by his brother, Jim (1970) and dad, Jack (2010).
He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Toni; his beloved family, Ray (Karryn), Swan River, Man., Kenny (Dee Brecelj), North Battleford, Sask., David (Mandy), Saskatoon, Sask. and Dru (Danny), Langham, Sask.; his cherished grandchildren, Ricky, Blayden, Brianna, Moya and Alex. Also surviving are his mother Elsie, Hanley, Sask.; his sister, Ivy (Ron), brothers, Gordon (Heather), John (Wendy), Allan (Charlotte), Richard, and Wayne (Cecile); nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and many dear friends.
Thank you to Paradise Cove, Sherbrooke Community Centre for the loving care you gave Ralph the past two years.

• It is with heavy hearts but grateful blessing, we say good-bye to our dear mom, grandma and great-grandma Laurie Craib. Mary Laureen “Laurie” was born Sept. 28, 1923 and passed away peacefully August 1, 2011 at the Davidson Health Centre.
  Laurie was born and grew up around the Onanole, Manitoba area. Her mom and dad had a farm near Clear Lake National Park. Both Laurie and her family have happy and cherished memories from that paradise. After completing her schooling, Laurie joined the Navy where she was stationed in Halifax working as a de-coder. After the Navy, she moved to Girvin and held a full-time position raising five children. She sincerely enjoyed her move to a farm nine miles west of Girvin when she married Bob Craib and made a warm home for her husband, children and grandchildren.
  Laurie was a gentle, quiet, loving lady who believed the meek shall inherit the earth. She had strong faith throughout her journey of life. She was a teacher of many things. She taught her kids to live with morals and integrity, she taught 4-H members, she taught Sunday School and struggling readers how to read. She taught her grandchildren how to cook, garden and make neat crafts.
  Laurie had some enjoyments in life. She loved her garden and flowers. She loved the horse races and really liked to bet on them! She loved to enjoy coffee and tea with the neighbours. She loved going to church and loved singing hymns right to her final days. And she enjoyed the odd cigarette unless it was bitterly cold outside. And she gave the family some real enjoyments. Her currant cookies, black forest cake, gingersnaps and corn chowder to name a few. And she leaves behind some fond memories – her humour and witty sayings. The infamous “I thank you and my mother thanks you” will be instilled in our hearts forever.
  Laurie was predeceased by her husband Bob and her son Tom and his wife Delores and their children Cindy, Kevin and Kurt. She leaves behind to mourn her son Sid (Bonnie), his family Kirk (Tanya), Lauri (Scott), Tom and Clem; daughter Sandra (Will) Krawciw and family Annie, Natalie and Maria; son Terry (Sylvia) and their family Ryan, Clinton (Cathy), Lanny and Courtney; and youngest daughter Joan and family Trevor (Rachelle) and Tracey (Matt); great-grandchildren Jenn, Nigel, Nicole, Emily, Sullivan, Kade, Keaton and Isabella. Laurie is survived by sisters Tiz and Betty; sisters-in-law Annie, Audrey and Shirley; brother-in-law Doug and numerous nieces and nephews.
  Hanson’s Funeral Home was in charge of the family graveside service.