Theodore Obrigewitsch passed away at home on a needed rainy day, May 24, 2023. Ted was born in the Lajord area on August 9, 1936. The family moved to west of Craik to start their new grain farm. Ted worked various jobs before he settled down to farm. He framed houses in Alberta and custom combined in the mid west USA. He returned home to farm and work for Uncle Johnny Schneider at his machinery dealership. In 1964, he started his own farm. His farm was surrounded by family: brother Lawrence and cousin Ken Schneider.
He married Loretta after harvest in 1964. Ted always joked about how he met Loretta. He picked out the lady with the best legs in Regina.
Ted and Loretta started a family with a daughter, Jacqueline in 1966 and Jane followed in 1967. As the family grew, the old farm house needed replacing. Ted bought a house trailer. Twice a year, he hooked it up to his tractor and dragged it to town for the winter and back out to the farm for seeding.
Ted was very involved in family and community. He was mayor of Craik for many years. He belonged to many boards including church, school, golf, curling, Lions. While on the hospital board, he was very proud of his help with the building of the health centre.
When Ted and Loretta had child number three, Scott, in 1971, they built their present house to accommodate the the growing family. Ted said he paid for his house with a quarter section of flax.
Ted was involved in all his children’s activities. He coached ball, curling and was a scout leader. He drove the Suburban full of kids to towns all over Saskatchewan. This carried on to his grandchildren. He attended Tanner’s ball games all over Canada and the US. He spent many hours in school gyms watching his granddaughters’ volleyball. He took in soccer games in Calgary – with no understanding of soccer at all but that wasn’t the point. He spent many hours with his great grandsons; showing them his garden, giving horsey rides, explaining combine parts and reading books.
Ted loved to talk. He prided himself with finding a common link with all he met. Loretta spent many hours waiting while Ted finished visiting with his new friends.
Ted and Loretta lived their retirement years travelling with their Fifth Wheel to their winter home in Casa Grande. They had a wonderful group of friends to golf and happy hour with. Ted loved his Blue Jays ball team. They went to many games and later enjoyed watching them on TV from his favorite chair in his living room.
To cherish so many memories, Ted leaves his wife Loretta of 58 years; his daughters, Jacquie (Wade) and Jane(Darren); and his son, Scott(Sheila). He leaves 9 grandchildren; Tristyne(Ben), Randi(Dylan), Kendra, Kelsey(Trent), Tanner(Kylee), Kara, Isaac, Ess and Katherine, 4 great grandsons; Brantley, Cooper, Theo and Sutter. He also leaves Deb, Don and family McArtur. Ted leaves many nieces and nephews and cousins.
Ted leaves his siblings, Ray (Betty), Hank (Joyce), Tim, sister in law Bev, and brother in law Norm. Ted is predeceased by parents, Harry and Rose; inlaws, Edward and Catherine; brother Lawrence; kid sister Evelyn and her husband, Karl; inlaws Lorne and Joan Strueby, Darlene Obrigewitsch and June Loehr.
There are so many neighbors, friends and family that have been involved and important to Ted’s life, that we can’t mention them all but you are remembered.
The Mass Of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, May 29, 2023 at 11 am in St. Joseph’s R.C. Church in Craik, SK with interment to follow in the Craik Cemetery. The family invites everyone for lunch and fellowship in the Craik Town Hall following the interment.
Hanson’s Funeral Service of Davidson, SK in care of arrangements.
