Dale Eugene Grainger (1944-2025)

With heavy hearts and profound love, we share the passing of Dale Eugene Grainger on March 16, 2025, at the age of 80.

Dale was born on May 23, 1944, in Herbert, SK, to parents Edward and Mabel (Dahl). He grew up on the family homestead outside of Hodgeville, SK, where he spent his childhood with boundless curiosity and a touch of mischief, swimming in the dugout, playing with the dogs, and doing his best to stay out of trouble at school.

In 1980, Dad and his beloved wife, Edith (Gibson), moved to Davidson, where they built a life together, Edith as a dedicated Grade 2 teacher and Dad as the proud owner of Reg-Win Auto, his car dealership. Later in life, they embarked on new adventures, spending 10 years teaching English in China and creating countless memories along the way.

Dad leaves behind a legacy of love carried on by his children Morgan, Jason, Chelsey, and Jillian; daughter-in-law Marie-Angela (Allan); his cherished granddaughters Emma, Willow, Harmony, and Chloe; his sisters, Nancy (Keller) and Maureen; sister-in-law, Mariann (Gibson), and their families, along with many cousins, nieces, nephews, and extended loved ones.

He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Edith (Gibson), his sister Dawn (Oelke), his brother Ted, and his nephew Steven.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the incredible nurses and staff at the Davidson Health Center for their kindness and compassion during our time of need.

A private ceremony will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Davidson Health Trust Fund, cheques payable to the Town of Davidson. Hanson’s Funeral Home in care of arrangements.

Lloyd Surkan (1934-2025)

Lloyd Surkan was born in Insinger, SK on May 31, 1934 to Matt and Elsie Surkan. When Lloyd decided to leave home, he worked in a bush camp cutting down trees that produced railway ties in northern Saskatchewan. He left that job to drive taxi in Prince Albert for a few years. From there he moved his family to Regina and took a position on April 20, 1960 with Saskatchewan Transport Company as a bus driver. He drove over 2 million accident free miles. He retired from STC on May 31, 1994.

Lloyd is survived by the love of his life, his wife Grace of 40 years & their dog Rusty, children: Candy Le Claire Roach (Mike), Sherry Schick, Gail Carleton (Robert), Gary Surkan(Nancy), Kelly Surkan (Shelley), Clint Surkan (Sheila), 11 Grandchildren and 13 Great Grandchildren, as well as his sister Ruth Moauro from London, Ontario.

A Funeral was held in the Regina Funeral Home on Wed, March 19, 2025. A Graveside Memorial will be held in the Davidson Community Cemetery on Friday, May 30, 2025 at 2 p.m.

For those so wishing, memorial donations in memory of Lloyd may be directed to the:

Regina Humane Society

4900 Parliament Ave

Regina, SK S4W 0T7

Hanson’s Funeral Service of Davidson in care of arrangements

Joyce Henryk (1927-2025)

Our Mother, Grandmother and Great Grandmother Joyce Henryk passed away on February 27 at the Davidson retirement home. She had celebrated her 98th birthday on January 22nd. Joyce died peacefully in the late afternoon after having lunch a few hours earlier in the retirement home. It could be said that it was a wonderful way to leave this earth.

Mom was born in 1927 to Douglas and Lillian L’Oste Brown. She was an only child, and in her words, a little bit spoiled. She went to school at Farrerdale but she didn’t revel in studying, so she left after completing Grade 10. Her next move would shape the rest of her life. At age 19, she went to work at the general store on 15 highway that was owned by the Christiansen family. Little did she know that a dashing and charming young man lived but one mile down the road. As she would tell it, pretty soon that young man started coming to the store quite often, hoping that a lovely young woman might take a liking to him. One thing led to another and they were soon an item. That young man was Russell Henryk. Joyce and Russell were married on November 12, 1947, in the little Anglican Church in Watrous. They moved to a farm one mile south of the general store where their story began and started making a life they could call their own. Mom said the house they moved into needed more than a little work but hey, when you’re in love, you just pitch in and make it work. And that’s what they did. The spoiled little girl turned into a hardworking, equal partner in everything that she and Russell did, including running the farm. Mom learned to drive a grain truck as well as she could drive a car. Three kids followed by 1953 and soon Mom and Dad were looking for something better. That opportunity came in 1960 when they took over Bill and Annie Patlock’s farm on the highway. They farmed there until 1991 when they retired from active farming and moved to Watrous, where they’d built a new house. They loved their life there and were active with bowling, curling, golfing, coffee row, the Blue Jays – all the good stuff. They traveled and enjoyed their many trips. Retired life was good to them.

One of the best things about Mom and Dad’s relationship was their mutual devotion. They really were each other’s best friend. They loved talking together and did it a lot. While still on the farm, Dad would often go out to the shop after supper to just fiddle around with something. Mom would join him out there to hold a nail or a board, while talking about anything and everything. She relished those times, as did he. She was with the person who meant the most to her.

Dad passed away in 2014 at age 92 and although Mom missed him terribly, she continued to pursue things she loved to do: coffee row in the morning, followed by the soup of the day for lunch. She loved these times in the Peppertree restaurant talking to friends. Cards at the Senior’s Centre was always fun, and make no mistake, she liked to win. When she couldn’t live independently after age 94, she moved into the retirement home in Davidson. She fortunately lived close to her daughter Val and two granddaughters, all of whom visited often. This gave her life meaning right up to the very end.

Mom was predeceased by her dear Russell and son-in-law Reed McJannet. She is survived by her three children and their families – Jay and his wife Kellie, and children Max and Connor; Diane and her husband Daryl Kuntz and daughters Andrea and Tara; and Val and daughters Jordan, her husband Richard and son Miller; Lindsay and her husband Ryan, and daughters Sydney and Colbie; and Meaghan and her husband Derek, and sons Kaleb and Kalder. Our family will miss Joyce dearly but carry many wonderful memories.

Mom will make her final resting place in their cemetery in Watrous. There she will join Russell in the family plot. Conversations to follow. Just like the good times from before.

A service for Joyce will be held at a later date. Hanson’s Funeral Home of Davidson in care of arrangements.

Betty Lynn Crowley (1925-2025)

Betty Lynn Crowley, a cherished lady known for her kind, loving, caring and humorous personality, left us on February 25, 2025. Born on April 14, 1952, at Maryfield, Lynn lived a life filled with passion and service towards others. Betty will join the love of her life and beloved husband, Bob Crowley, her best friend Vivian (her mom) and her biggest supporter, Ted (her dad). Betty was known for her strong will, unwavering determination and love and support for her family. She was a shining example of how to think of others, a value that was central to her character. She is survived by her brothers Ken (June), Garry (Heather), Bob’s children – Kelly, Curtis and Barry and many nieces, nephews and extended family whose lives were greatly enriched by Betty’s presence. Her departure leaves an unfillable void in their lives, yet they will find comfort in the memories shared. She loved to travel. Betty Lynn, a beacon of kindness and love, will forever reside in our hearts. Her legacy will continue to inspire and guide us. Even at the end, Lynn still found a way to grumble at both her brothers over sports on T.V. As we grapple with the loss of her presence, we find solace in knowing that her pain has ended. A service for Betty was held at the Davidson United Church, Davidson SK, on Saturday, March 1, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. A graveside service will be held in Maryfield at a later date, where Betty and Bob will be laid to rest. Hanson’s Funeral Home of Davidson in care of arrangements.

Gordon Swanson (1934-2025)

September 13, 1934 – February 20, 2025

It is with sincere sadness that we announce the world lost one of its kindest, most generous persons on February 20th, 2025 when Gordon Swanson passed away at Central Butte Regency Manor.

Dad was born September 13th, 1934 at home on his farm at Hume, SK. He was the oldest of five children born to Edwin and Lena Swanson. His family moved to Grainland, SK from Hume, where he finished grade school. He had a variety of jobs on different farms. He was a grader operator for the RM of Maple Bush. He also was a grader operator for the construction of both the Gardiner Dam andthe Qu’Appelle River Dam. He took his mechanics course at STI in Moose Jaw, SK where her eceived his interprovincial papers and worked at different automotive shops until he purchased his own shop. He started his own business, Craik Auto Repair, where he worked until he retired September 30th, 1999.

Dad was happy when he was tinkering in the garage.  He had the ability to fix and make anything work, a true Jack of all Trades. The coffee pot was always on and he enjoyed nothing more than sitting down with friends and family, drinking a coffee, and shooting the breeze. He had a great sense of humour and always had a quick witty remark, wisecrack, or comical jingle to share and right until the very end he would surprise us with something new.

Dad was predeceased by his parents, brother Melvin and great grandson Milo. Dad leaves to mourn his passing, his immediate family, wife Betty, daughter Colinda (Darrin), grandson Jordan (Jaclyn) and great grandchildren Hayden and Sabrina; daughter Glenda (Vincent), grandsons Dante and Jaden, and great grandson Jackson. Also left to cherish his memory are his sisters Dorothy and Dolores, brother Roy,sister-in-lawAnn Swanson and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Our family would like to send a special thank you to the wonderful staff at Regency Manor for their exceptional care.

In keeping with dad’s wishes, a private memorial service for immediate family will be held at a later date.

For friends so wishing, memorials in memory of Dad may be directed to Central Butte Regency Manor, Box 582, Central Butte, SK, S0H 0T0 or a charity of your choice.

Arrangements are entrusted to Hanson’s Funeral Home, Davidson, SK.

Here’s to you Dad…”Take ‘er easy, but give ‘er shit”

The Davidson Leader, Davidson, Saskatchewan