• Passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by family on Monday, July 4, 2011 at the age of 77 after a brief battle with cancer. Orville was born on April 26, 1934 in Davidson, Saskatchewan. He was predeceased by his parents Irvine and Min (Wilhemina) Ames; his parents-in-law, Erick and Vera Townsend; daughter, Karen; brother, Cecil; sister-in-law; brothers-in-laws; numerous cousins, nieces & nephews. He is survived by his wife Frances, daughter Lori (Mike) Seman, son Randy (Evelyn) Ames, daughter Toni (Colin) Campbell; grandchildren Ryan Amundrud, Karli (David) Haavisto, Alicia Campbell (Kyle), Brody Campbell, Mitchell Seman, Brydon Campbell, Aftyn Campbell, Hannah and Jackson Ames; great-grandchildren Taylor and Jacob Haavisto; extended family Faye and Lorne Lynch, Michael (Trina) Gust and their sons Beckett and Easton, Jolene (JJ) Koopman and daughter Kinley, Preston Lynch; his special companion dog Patch; his sisters Jean (Doug) Turner, Edna Lowdermilk, Marie Hill, Fay Hill, Doris (Ray) Wildfong, Merl (Norm) Callaghan, Lois Caldwell, Fern (Allan) Ripka, as well as numerous sisters, brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, cousins and other family members. Orville received his education at the Kipp School. With his school days behind him Orville decided to farm with his Dad. They farmed together until the early ’70s when Irv retired from farming and Orville took over. He married Frances Townsend in Bladworth on December 29, 1961. They resided on the family farm where they raised their family. Combined with farming, cattle and family, life was busy but happy. When he wasn’t playing in the dirt Orville enjoyed keeping busy in his shop with woodworking, metal lathe work, welding, building bird feeders with disker blades, flower basket stands, picture frames from barn board, and stepping stone stands from harrow teeth. Frances and Orville spent numerous hours refinishing furniture and on occasion teaching courses in carpentry through the community college. In 1998 Orville semi-retired and rented out the farmland. He stayed involved with the farming and cattle operation until 2010. A celebration of his life was held at Davidson Town Hall, Washington Ave., Davidson on Saturday, July 9, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Diane Eurig officiating. Donations can be made to the Bladworth Elks or to the Bladworth Cemetery. In living memory of Orville Ames, a tree could be planted through the Davidson Communities in Bloom Memorial Tree Fund.  Hanson’s Funeral Home, Davidson, in care of arrangements.

Beatrice Eileen (Currie) Russell (1927 – 2011)
Sadly we announce the passing of Eileen on June 26, 2011 at the age of 83 at the Davidson Health Centre.
Eileen was raised in a farming community near Morden, Man. She attended Orangehill and Thornhill schools. Eileen completed her Licensed Practical Nursing in Winnipeg. In 1951, Eileen moved to Davidson to work in the hospital. Here she met her husband Grant and shared 59 years of marriage.
Eileen enjoyed knitting, baking, playing cards and especially spending time with her children and grandchildren. She loved to have a good laugh with friends and neighbours and will be remembered as being a generous and caring lady who will be dearly missed.
Left to cherish her memory are her husband Grant; daughters, Marilyn (Terry), Cheryl (Kent); grandchildren, Calli, Kenley, Dillon, Raylene and Jordan; great-granddaughter, Brooklyn; sisters, Lenore (Bill), Ruth (Gary); brother, Dick (Myrlene); sisters-in-law, Evelyn and Kathleen; and brother-in-law, Calvin.
Eileen was predeceased by her parents, John and Maude Currie and her brother, Don.
Friends so wishing may make donations to the Davidson Health Centre or the charity of your choice.
The Celebration of Eileen’s life took place at Davidson United Church on June 29, 2011 with Rev. Diane Eurig, Celebrant.
Interment followed at Davidson Cemetery.
Hanson’s Funeral Home entrusted with arrangements.

• Georgette Archambault passed away on June 24, 2011 at the Manitou Lodge in Watrous, Sask. She passed away after a short illness at the age of 91.
  Georgette was born on July 25, 1919 at Ste. Rose municipality, Man., south half of section 31-23-14, west of the first meridian. Her maiden name was Gagnon.  Georgette went to school in Ste. Amelie, Man. She married Andre Archambault on Oct. 28, 1939 at Ste. Amelie, Man.
  Georgette was predeceased by her parents Ernest and Donalda Gagnon; husband, Andre on Nov. 4, 1980; one son, George; one grandson, Aron Weinberger; granddaughter, Sheila Archambault; her parents; five brothers and three sisters, numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
  Georgette is survived by her children, Bernie Archambault, Kenaston, Sask.; Yvette (Larry) Gross, Watrous, Sask.; Denise (John) Karmin, Moose Jaw, Sask.; Lucienne (Allan) Gross, Watrous, Sask. and Lorraine (Bill) Humilowich, Kenaston, Sask. She is also survived by nine grandchildren, David (Kat), Barry (Erika), Keith (Alana), Carrie (Kyle), Diane (Ray), Angela, Steven (Crystal), Michelle (Dale) and Tanya (Kent), as well as 13 great-grandchildren, Cody, Teanna, Spencer, Chandler, Nathaniel, Desiree, Ariel, Ashton, Morgan, Ethan, Paige, Luca and Noah.
  Mom was a great cook and baker. One of her specialties was her shake and bake little chicken drummies and rice. She will be greatly missed by her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, other relatives and friends.
  The Mass of Christian Burial funeral service was held on June 30, 2011, at 10 a.m. at St. Ann’s Parish in Watrous, Sask. with Father Augustine Ebido officiating. The St. Ann’s choir was in attendance. The active pallbearers were her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Angela Daly and Barry Chan.
  Interment was in the family plot in the Davidson cemetery, Davidson, Sask.
  Hanson’s Funeral Home in care of arrangements.

Paul Adam Righetti, WWII Vet RCAF, retired school principal, May 25, 1922-April 9, 2011.
The Righetti family sadly announces the passing of their father Paul on April 9, 2011. He was born May 25, 1922 in Odessa, Sask., the second youngest of a large family. After a few years of farming, then teaching at several “one room schoolhouses”, Paul and his bride moved to the small town of Montmartre, Sask. in the early 50s and then to Davidson, Sask. in 1967. Paul experienced a lot during his lifetime and was in turn, a farmer, a war veteran and a teacher. He applied the same hard work and devotion to all those tasks as he did to raising his family.
He will be most remembered for his love of teaching and for the many hours he spent decorating, entertaining and bringing smiles to the faces of not only his own grandchildren and great-grandchildren, but to any child who was fortunate enough to experience his joy.
Paul’s beloved wife Jean passed away two years ago – they were married 63 years. Paul will be greatly missed by his five children: Bryan, Pamela, Jeanette, Paulette and Christine and his many loving grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
The family wishes to thank Dr. Lang and the terrific staff at the Davidson Health Centre for helping to make Dad’s last days so peaceful. Also, our sincere thanks to the many folks who checked in on Dad when he was living at home and helped him live out his last days in the place he wanted to be.
It was our father’s wish that his obituary be brief, however, please join us for our Celebration of His Life which will follow his funeral on Saturday, June 18 at 11 a.m. at the Davidson Catholic Church and Hall.
Arrangements are being handled by Hanson’s Funeral Home.
If you would like to make a donation to honour Paul, please consider donating to the project led by Paul’s great-granddaughter Emiliana (which carries on Paul’s legacy of supporting children in Africa). The project is raising funds to build a well for a village in Africa through the Ryan’s Well Foundation. They will link any donation cheques earmarked as “Emiliana’s Project” to her special fund. Paul would be proud.
Ryan’s Well Foundation
c/o Emiliana’s Project
P.O. Box 1120
Kemptville, ON
K0G 1J0
A Canadian charitable tax receipt will be issued on donations of $10 or more.

The evening of May 2, 2011, Helen Langager passed away at St. Paul’s Hospital, at the age of 92 years. Helen Bernice Langager was born on July 24, 1918 on her parent’s homestead near Strongfield. She was baptized, confirmed and a life-long member of Skudesnes Lutheran Church. Her schooling was taken at Pleasant Ridge. On November 9, 1939, she and Nils were married, in the same house in which she was born. They established their home and raised their family in the Strongfield district. Helen was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother who took great pride in her home and in providing many delicious meals. Helen and Nils enjoyed their family and friends and were overjoyed when grandchildren joined the family circle. In 1988, because of Nils’ failing health, they moved to Luther Heights in Saskatoon where Helen continued to live the next 20 years. For a number of years, she enjoyed spending summers at the farm. Helen’s last three years were spent at an Intermediate Care Home operated by Luther Care Communities. Although she struggled with health issues, she appreciated the home and the staff. She, along with her family, were so thankful for the compassionate care given and we all grew to dearly love the caregivers at 1230 Temperance. We also appreciated the concern and care shown by Dr. I. Basker, her family physician. We, the family, are at peace with mom’s passing. We know that her faith was strong and she did not fear death as we often heard her pray, “Dear God, please take me home”. We will miss her, as we continue to miss Dad, but are thankful that she is now free of pain and in her heavenly home.  Helen is survived by her daughter, Karen (Jim) Hopkins and son, Norman Langager; grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Lorene (George) Hind, Nathan; Darren (Lianne) Hopkins, Nyah, Ella; Russell Langager (Carla Cramer), Jocelyn, Kamryn; Bryce (Margaret) Langager, Riley, Dillon, Hunter and Shane (Carie) Langager, Darrah. Helen is also survived by her brother, Cecil Akre; sister, Mildred Joel;  sisters-in-law, Muriel Akre and Doris Akre; Nils’ sister, Mabel Mostad; Nils’ brother, Melvin (Margaret) Langager, sister-in-law, Bernice  Knutson. Helen was pre-deceased by her parents, O.M. and Lena Akre and Nils’ parents, Mons and Kia Langager; her husband, Nils; daughter-in-law, Sylvia Langager; brothers, Henry (Velma) Akre, Raymond Akre and Oscar Akre; sisters, Lillian (Trygve) Torgersen and Olga (Lorne) Kerney; sister-in-law, Christina Akre; brother-in-law, John Joel; Nils’ brothers, Jonas (Olga) Langager and Gordon Langager; Nils’ sisters, Miss Olga Langager, Bertha (Victor MacPherson, Hilmer Ringdal) Ringdal and Bernice (Gay) Knutson; and brother-in-law, Burton Mostad.
Funeral service was held Monday, May 9, 2011 at the Skudesnes Lutheran Church northeast of Loreburn, Sask. Pastor Kevin Sam officiated. Interment was held at the Skudesnes Church Cemetery.  Prelude was mom’s favourite hymns by Karen Hopkins. Memories of grandma were presented by Darren Hopkins. Special music was “Precious Lord, Take My Hand” by Darrol Joel. Scripture readings were read by Norman Langager. The sermon was by Pastor George Hind. Pallbearers were Morley Akre, Floyd Akre, Kent Ruuth, Mitch Akre, Lyle Joel and Kevin Langager. Ushers were Owen Akre and Ross Vollmer. The guest register was attended by Les and Judy Langager.  Pianist-accompanist was Jane Borycki.
Arrangements in care of Outlook Funeral Chapel.

• Gerald Fredrick George, August 8, 1942 – May 11, 2011
  Celebrating a life well lived, the family of Gerry George wishes to announce his passing at the Davidson Health Centre.
  Cherishing his memory are: his wife of 46 years, Bev; children Cory and Colin Ouellette, Jody and Tara George and Carla and Cory Chomyshen; grandchildren include  Ellen, Jesse and John Ouellette, Chloe and Levi George and Bailey, Amy and Samantha Chomyshen; sister Lorraine (Edgar) Little and brother Tom George; sisters-in-law Margaret George (Wayne), Connie Schwab and Colleen Sekulich; aunts Phyllis George, Elizabeth Schwab and uncle Adam (Madeline) Schwab, many dear relatives and friends including special family friends Norman and Lynda Pillipow and family.
  Gerry was predeceased by his parents Carl (1978) and Dennie (2008) George; brother Lloyd George (2000); father- and mother-in-law Tony (1993) and Kay (2009) Sekulich and brother-in-law Dale Schwab (1997).
  It would take a book to record all the adventures, hardships, joys, illnesses, friends, accidents  and mishaps and hilarious moments that Gerry experienced.
  The following tribute was compiled by his wife and children. It was read by his daughters,  Cory Ouellette and Carla Chomyshen, at his funeral on May 14, at St. Andrew’s Roman Catholic Church in Kenaston.
  (as read by Cory)
  On behalf of mom and our family, I would like to thank you for being with us today. Your presence here is a welcomed gift and we are so grateful for your support. We are extending an open invitation to all to join us at the interment after the service. Or if you prefer, feel free to wait at Kenaston Place. Following that we’ll have a special video presentation and then lunch and visiting.
  Sixty-eight years ago, Carl and Dennie George welcomed their son Gerald Fredrick into the world. He was the oldest sibling to Lloyd, Lorraine and Tom. As a youngster Dad was taught the importance of hard work, friends, family and fun. Grandma and Grandpa must have been great teachers as Dad lived these life lessons to the fullest.
  Listening to Dad, we learned that he was pretty amazing; milking cows when he was three, harnessing horses and plowing fields when he was four all while teaching younger brother Lloyd how to do it right. You get the picture.
  Truth be told, Dad did do what most farm kids of his generation did, he just added some flair to his stories.
  In his youth Dad enjoyed skating on the dugout, tobogganing, riding horses, 4H beef club, baseball and hunting.
  Dad attended Zid country school from grades 1-8. The friendships he made there with friends and cousins lasted a lifetime. After Zid, he attended Kenaston High School. Dad was a bright student but he and the principal had different philosophies. So one day Dad thought that the sidewalk outside the school doors would make a great pad for laying rubber. This led to an early graduation.
  With all the education he needed under his belt, Dad entered the work force. Over the years his work portfolio included: custom baling, hog, cattle and grain farming, sand blasting foreman on the construction of the Diefenbaker Dam, roughneck, construction worker, CAT operator, trucker, bus driver, pipeliner, welder and fabricator.
  One of Dad’s favourite mottos was a man is only as good as his word. He lived by this and as a result was a neighbor and a friend who could be depended on.
  I’m going to guess that many of you here today have heard a “Gerry adventure” or may have even been an accomplice to one. I have one that I’d like to share with you – I didn’t even have to sensor this one to make it “church friendly”.
  Some years back, Sid and Blanche Howells caught a skunk in a trap in their yard. They called on Dad to see if he could get rid of it for them.  Dad gladly accepted the job and instantly became Kenaston’s “pest control guy” . He went over on his three wheeler equipped with determination and a softener salt bag. When he got to the skunk, he lifted it up by the tail, lowered it into the salt bag, squeezed it shut, hopped on his trike, and headed down the old highway to release his prey. Along the way he looked down to see that the skunk had chewed a hole in the bag and had it’s head poked out. Dad panicked and threw the bag, cranking the handle bars at the same time, causing the trike to roll. When the dust cleared, Dad was laying in the ditch with the skunk laying right beside him. He traded in his trike and bought a quad.
  Dad was a high spirited instigator when it came to having a good time. His love of life and spontaneity enabled him to enjoy: hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, gymkhana, camping, playing ball with the Kenaston Blues, golfing, photography, archery, RV’ing, trail rides, woodworking, being a member of the Lion’s, cook-outs and the Big Valley Jamboree. He wholeheartedly enjoyed these times with his family and many special friends.
  You’d never know by the number of animals Dad hunted, that he actually was an animal lover. He broke horses, trained dogs, and loved surprising us with new additions to the barnyard.
  Mom said that her first opinion of Dad was that he was a bit of a spoiled brat as he was driving his very own car at the age of 16. He certainly wasn’t the tall, dark and handsome beau she had envisioned for herself. To top it all off, he nearly ran her over while galloping his horse down the icy streets of Kenaston. Somehow, against her early judgments, he stole her heart and became her partner for the next 50 years. These two contrasting personalities complimented each other well. Mom added the stability and Dad added the spark.
  I’ve been told that Dad was so proud when I was born. One of his favourite stories about my birth was that he was bragging me up to his good friend Sandy about how beautiful he thought I was. Sandy having had kids already, replied, “Scabby little beggars aren’t they?”
  When Jody came along, Dad thought life couldn’t get any better but it did with the addition of his little girl Carla.
  Life with Dad was just like Dad: lots of work mixed with lots of friends and fun. Any time he could find an opportunity to teach us a life lesson, he would. Here’s an example as told by Jody, “Whenever I would say, ‘I can’t’ or ‘I can’t do that.’ Dad would say, ‘There’s no such word as can’t’.” For instance when I was 12 or 13 a seal in the hydraulics of our 2470 Case tractor would go and the pump would have to come apart to replace it. Well there was one bolt that you almost had to split the tractor to get at. But my arm could just squeeze through to get at it. I could get an open wrench end on it and move it a 12th of a turn. Then I’d have to pull my arm out, flip the wrench and go back in to get another 12th of a turn. It would take me a couple of hours to get the bolt out, and a couple of hours to get it back in each time. This was one time that dad told me there was no such word as can’t. And I guess he was right because I managed to complete the task. But looking back Dad, I have to ask myself, if there’s no such word as can’t, why did I have to do it?
  (as read by Carla)
  Dad gave me some special gifts. He took me over to the neighbour’s one time  because he had to pick something up but when we got there, the something to be picked up was a pony for me. On my 13th birthday he gave me a pair of pearl earrings. The gift he gave me at birth is a condition that I like to call “Gerryisms”. The symptoms of this condition include: the inability to think before speaking, acting on impulse, not necessarily appropriately, and the inability to focus on anyone thing too long. Yes, this may sound like I’m being negative but it is what has allowed me to get the same kick out of life as dad did.
  Dad and I used to lay on the couch together while watching shows like “Mutual Of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom”, “Lorne Green’s New Wilderness” and “Walt Disney”. One day, I felt the Gerryisms take over.  I reached down and lit up one of his player’s light cigarettes. “Bev”, he hollered, “the little bleep is smoking – and she knows what she’s doing!” He was right. I did. The first time I got caught was in grade 4 – another example of Gerryism.
  Dad provided us with many opportunities to have fun and enjoy life. For many years our family belonged to the Allan gymkhana club. We spent many summer Saturdays riding in small town sports days. As a family we loved being up north boating and camping. Dad made sure we all learned how to water ski and unhook our own fish. Ski-dooing, trail rides and toboggan parties at Zid were other family favourites.
  Dad truly loved Colin and Perogie, his sons-in-law, and Tara, his daughter-in-law. Colin was first, so he kinda broke Dad in for Perogie and Tara. Thank goodness Dad calmed down a bit by the time Perogie came along. What a blessing to have beautiful Tara as his next door neighbour. He shared many special and memorable times with them. They loved him like a father, and he loved them like they were his own.
  As each grandchild came, they filled Papa’s life with pride, joy and love. He was so fortunate to have all of his grand kids grow up so close by. He thoroughly enjoyed sharing in their endeavors, whether it was sports, the arts, school activities, and/or receiving their sacraments.
  Dad faced many obstacles with determination and strength. Diagnosed with Parkinson’s at age 45, suffering kidney cancer two years later, and over the next few years, seven major surgeries. Two involved deep brain implants for Parkinson’s and an aortic aneurism repair. There were also several health related complications. He rarely complained, but he would say that if he knew he was going to live this long, he would have taken better care of himself. I used to tease him that he was the million dollar man. The government had invested so much money in him, they couldn’t afford to turn back!
  Dad empathized with others because he knew what it was like to live with challenges. His declining health left him with the difficult decision of having to require long term care at the Davidson Health Centre. Although a huge adjustment for all of us, Dad made the best of the situation by making new friendships with the staff and residents. He made it his job to look after our grandma who was a resident of the home until her passing. She used to call him, “My Geraldo”. He had a tolerance and patience for all the residents and had a genuine connection for those who looked after him. I’m going to use this time to let all of you know, how much we saw the staff give of themselves to look after Dad. We witnessed them going above and beyond with acts of true compassion and respect.
  The same can be said for Mom. The complications that affected Dad’s health caused he and Mom, each, to make painful and frequent sacrifices. Mom was a shining example of loyalty and love. We saw her stand by him through all the years. I don’t think any of us will ever truly understand how amazing she is.
  Twelve days before he died, Dad announced he felt he had seven to ten days left. He wasn’t afraid to die. His tears were a sign of concern for us. He was assured that we would take care of Mom. When I told Mom this, she said that he had her promise to watch over us! Even from his hospital bed, he was taking care of his family. True to Dad’s nature he made the best of those last 12 days. One day he had a beer for breakfast. He said that he had never appreciated a beer so much. That must have been one heck of a beer! He even had ice cream for dinner and took time to practice his whistling. He said he was never very good at it, but thought he’d give it a go one more time! Visits from friends and family were dear to him, especially during this time.
  We savored this time with Dad too. We reminisced, listened to old country music, laughed, cried and prayed and then at 7 p.m. on May 11, we rejoiced when his soul was set free.