Florence Smith
The family of Florence Norinne Smith, aged 96 years of Moose Jaw, and formerly of the As siniboia/Verwood district, SK announce the passing of their mother, grandmother, greatgrandmother, and great-greatgrandmother on Sun-day, Sep tember 25th, 2022 at Providence Place. Florence was born in the Verwood District, SK on August 8th, 1926. She grew up on the family farm, with her being the 5th born out of eight children.
Florence would always remi nisce about her days growing up on the family farm. She told of how her sister Doris and herself would go in the field with their dad to do the stooking. At first their arms got very sore, but their dad told them not to use their arms, only their hands with gloves on. Florence also told of how her and Doris had to bring the cows in from the pasture and how terrified they were if the bulls were there. Florence said they carried a big stick and hung onto one another. Another thing Florence did not like was gathering the eggs and the clucks pecking at her hands. On the farm there was a variety of ani mals. The majority of the animals had been named. Florence’s dad had a total of 17 horses on the farm. Florence and her sibling’s horses were a pair of blacks with white blazes on their face. They would have to hitch up their horses, Jack and Petty, to take them back and forth to school, and sometimes take their mom into town to the store. Her dad’s horses were a pair of greys named Dimples and Maggie. The name Dimples coming from a dimple on her derriere. Florence remembers one winter how they had run out of coal. Her dad hitched up the pair of greys and headed to the Verwood coulees for a load of coal. A blizzard struck, making it impossible to see and her dad got lost. Her dad wrapped the reins and gave the horses the lead. Their excellent sense of direction got her dad home safe and sound. He was nearly frozen, but he still had to shovel the coal (with the boy’s help) into the basement through the window. The horses spent the night in the barn and got an extra treat that night. Florence said her and her siblings would love it when their Grandma Domes would come. She would al-ways do a bit of magic and pull a coin out of their ears. It was enough for them to buy a small bag of candy from the store. Her grandma would also pay her and her brother Ben a penny for each gopher tail they accumulated from snaring gophers. When Florence finished her schooling, she continued her studies to become a teacher at Normal School (now SaskPolytech) in Moose Jaw. She was used to being around a large family, so she was lone some and spent her time down at the train station waiting for some one from home to get off the train to visit with. When she graduated, she taught at various locations including Ogema, Gravelbourg and Viceroy, SK. Florence and Fred began a courtship. They had known each other since childhood as they attended the same school and church. Florence and Fred were married on November 26th, 1948. They settled in the town of Verwood as Fred had established a farm there. After they were married, their farm experienced a severe dry spell, so they moved to Winnipeg, MB in hopes of finding jobs. They were able to stay in Fred’s sister’s basement suite. Fred got a job as a truck driver and Florence got a job at the Millinery shop mak ing hats. She later got a job at Eatons, which she liked much better. When the farming had improved, they packed up and moved back to Verwood to continue with the farming. Florence used to take the meals out to the field so the men wouldn’t have to stop and drive into town. During harvest, she drove the grain truck and unloaded the grain into the bins. Florence and Fred had three daughters: Judith Elaine, Kathey Dianne, and Brenda Lee. Once they started a family, they purchased a larger house across the street from where they were living. Florence and Fred raised their family in this house and many memories were made there. When the girls got older, Florence obtained a job with the Readlyn Rural Telephone Company as the secretary treasurer. She remained in this position until the company was dissolved. Florence then obtained a position as a care aid at the Pioneer Lodge in Assiniboia, SK. Florence and Fred would rent a house in Assiniboia for the winter so Florence wouldn’t have to drive. When Fred passed away, Florence had a house built in Assiniboia, rented out the farm, and sold the house in Verwood. She loved her job as a care aid and worked this position until her retirement. Florence was a very well-kept lady who took pride in her appearance. She was always dressed neatly and her hair al-ways styled nicely. She was always on the ready to pitch in and help out with grandparent ing duties whenever and for as long as she was needed. Florence and Fred were wonderful grandparents and their grandchildren loved them very much. Florence was known for her compassionate and giv ing nature, as she would help out with looking after family members and some of her neighbours. She loved playing cards, especially crib bage, and many a weekend was spent doing just that with whoever happened to drop in or with her brother Ben and neighbour and friend Mae Domes and her son Ross. Florence will be missed greatly by her daughters and all of her grandchildren, plus all the people that she called friends and relatives. She was predeceased by her hus band, Fredrick Smith; daughter, Judith Stensrud; sons-in-law: Warren LaVallee, Kenneth Stensrud, and Jeffrey Lutz; siblings: Arnold (Flor ence), Leona (Edward), Elmer, Doris, Bernard, and Rita (Al); brotherin-law, Don Storey; and parents, Ferdinand and Marie Domes. Flor ence is survived by her daughters, Kathey Mitchell (William) and Brenda Lutz (Guy); sister, Lois Storey; grandchildren: Ryan Mitchell (Cathy), Lindsay Mitchell (Rob), Kirk Stensrud (Michelle), Craig Sten srud (Madison), Kelly Smith (Kira), and Coralie Potetz (Ryan); greatgrandchildren: Katelynn, Ethan, and Macy Mitchell, Kieran, Valor, Wil liam, and Meghan Schmidt, Ben and Olivia Smith, Atticus and Archer Potetz, and Isaac Stensrud; and great-great-grand-child, Eli Schmidt. The Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, November 26th, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. in Moose Jaw Funeral Home. Celebrant Dave Foley will officiate and interment will take place at Mount Hope Cemetery in Assiniboia, SK. Those not able to attend may view the service vir tually by going to www.moosejawfuneralhome.com/webcast/. As an expression of sympathy, donations in Florence’s name may be made to a charity of one’s choice. Arrangements are entrusted to Moose Jaw Funeral Home, 268 Mulberry Lane. Andrew Pratt Funeral Direc tor 306-693-4550 www.moosejawfuneralhome.com.
Cliff Roberts
Cliff was born high on the hill at the old Rockglen Red Cross Hospital in January 1941. He left us to live on another plane No vember 8, 2022 at the age of 81.
Cliff attended Rockglen School from grades one through twelve, and then headed off to Engi neering at the University of Sas katchewan for a year. However, the world of academics was not for him and in 1960, he enlisted in the RCAF where he became a radio navigator, flying anti-sub marine patrols off Canada’s west coast with the 407 Demons at 19 Wing in Comox, BC. He married his wife, Liz, in 1963. Together, they returned to Rockglen, and except for a brief spell in Port Coquitlam, BC, they lived the rest of their lives in or near Cliff’s hometown. From an early age, machines were a part of Cliff’s life. He often recalled helping the drayman deliver rail freight all around town on a horse-pulled wagon. At the age of three, he was banned from the Imperial Garage owned by his dad, Walter, because of his penchant for trying to drive their tractors. If he crossed the railroad tracks on his way to the garage, Scotty Brown - an employee at the garage - would intercept him and send him home. Cars and speed were his first loves. When he joined the RCAF, he purchased his first car, a green Corvair. He never heeded the claim that they were dangerous, because he purchased a second one two years later. Most of his working life was spent negotiating machinery and car sales for the four-line GM dealership owned by his family. He could tell the history of the town by recalling who was driving what car or when he had sold a specific vehicle to someone. In fact, he could win arguments with his “car sense” which was unfailingly accurate. On the side, he farmed for both himself and his father. Cliff always valued family above all else. However, the garage and family often didn’t mesh. Family “outings” were often actually trips to someone’s farm to look at a “trade-in” or evaluate a piece of machinery. Impe rial Garage was sold in the late eighties, but Cliff continued to farm until his retirement in 2009. He disliked several things in his life for which he became well-known in family circles. He hated chicken, fish, turkey and snow, but he loved liver and onions, potato chips, winter trips to Arizona or Maui, and hockey. He seldom missed a senior’s game in either Rockglen or Assiniboia. No matter how bitter the weather, he would make the trip to the rink. In 2003, while on vacation in Maui, he learned from his doctor in Regina that he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer. However, in true “farmer form” he put off surgery until October in order to put in and harvest that year’s crop. The diagnosis would haunt him for the remainder of his life. Despite these difficulties, he lived his life to the fullest. An added diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease in 2015 added to the difficulties he managed. It manifested itself mainly with a form of dementia, which he faced head-on and handled with good humour and determination. He was never afraid to discuss his symptoms openly and never al lowed them to rule his life. Humour was the way he dealt with most problems he faced which made life easier for all those around him.
He was a reserved person and didn’t openly show his emotions. His actions demonstrated his feelings. His kids never came home with out having their cars thoroughly checked, their oil topped up, and their gas tanks filled. He read every letter or e-mail dealing with his grand-children with interest and always had a comment to pass on. He supported his wife in many community activities over the years, and even drove her back and forth to evening and weekend classes so she could complete her university degree. There is so much more to a life that spanned eighty-one years than can be captured in a brief obituary. The memories Cliff created will live on in those of us he left behind; his sense of humour will be talked about and laughed at; his caring will be reflected in the way his family continues to care for one another. We could never have reached this point in our lives without the kindness and support of many people. We would like to thank the doctors, nurses and technicians at the Allan Blair Cancer Clinic for their years of care. Special thanks to Dr. Carulei and his staff for their compassionate kindness, especially in the past difficult year. We cannot say enough about the support and care given to Cliff in his last days by Nadine Stevenson - Palliative Care Coordinator; Alyssa Willis and the Home Care staff; and the devoted nurses at the Assiniboia Union Hospital. We thank you all most sincerely. In lieu of flowers, we ask that you help support Cliff’s lifelong passion for amateur hockey with a donation to: Rockglen Community Rinks, c/o April Ellis, Box 328, Rockglen, SK S0H 3R0 or via e-transfer through rockglenrinks@gmail.com. Cliff is survived by his wife Liz, son Eric (Patricia) and granddaughter Bronwyn; daughter Kirsten (Darren) Bates and grandchildren Zachery, Abbey and Alexandra and great-granddaughter Collins; sisters Dorothy Kimball, Barbara Bergen (Gary) and Glenda Norman. He is also survived by in-laws Barbara Davis, Beverley and Pat Fung; Doug and Kathy Sproule, Rob Sproule and Diane Leitold; Sharon and Dallas Heagy, as well as numerous much-loved nieces, nephews and cousins. He is pre deceased by his parents, Walter and Edna Roberts (Rockglen), his brother Lorne (Medicine Hat), in-laws Ron and Betty Sproule (Winni peg), brothers-in-law Ron (Burnaby), Gord (Findlater, SK).A private family celebration of life for Cliff was held Saturday, November 12, 2022 with Dallas Heagy presiding. Following the private family cel ebration of life a community fellowship and lunch was held at DropIn-Centre, Rockglen, SK. Interment at the Rockglen Cemetery. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www. rossfuneralservice.com for the Roberts family.
Mearl June Eklund
Mearl June Eklund passed away on Sunday, October 30, 2022 at Long Term Care, in Assiniboia, Saskatchewan, at the age of 83 years. Mearl was born on July 31, 1939 to Edith and Earl Thompson. She was the fourth child, joining Gerald, Shirley, and Doris. They later welcomed their little sister Maxine. Mearl grew up on the family farm near Coppen, Saskatchewan and they later moved to Bateman, Saskatchewan. She graduated from Bateman high school in 1958 and moved to Moose Jaw to attend teachers’ college. After graduating with her teaching certificate in 1959, she landed her first job in McCord. It was here that she met her soulmate, Glenn Eklund. They were married on July 7, 1961 at Bateman United Church. They lived and worked in several communities then moved to Assiniboia in 1975 with their three daughters Janice, Kim and Raelynn. Mearl substitute taught in Assiniboia until 1979, when she opened an in-home daycare. Mearl ran her daycare, a well-oiled machine for 22 years, taking care of hundreds of children- many who brought their own children back to Mearl’s. She was a gifted and talented seamstress, cross stitcher, embroiderer, and quilter. Many hours were spent sewing items including bridesmaid dresses, Barbie clothes and mending/altering clothing. She also hand stitched incredible quilts and baby quilts for many, including a graduation quilt for each one of her precious grandsons. Mearl was a wonderful cook preparing everything from scratch. Her specialties were homemade bread, buns, cinnamon buns and donuts. Mearl and Glenn’s home was always open to family and friends, where great memories of dancing, card playing, and socializing were had. They enjoyed travelling-taking bus trips, an Alaskan Cruise, fishing trips and many trips to Cowboy Poetry. Mearl was an awesome mom, grandma, great-grandma, sister, aunt, friend and caregiver. It gives us great comfort to know Mom is reunited in heaven with her husband Glenn Eklund and infant son Steven Glenn Eklund; siblings Gerald Thompson, Doris Paton, Shirley (Leo) Hawes and Maxine Smith; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Vernon Eklund, Fay (Melvin) Mastad, Gail Eklund and Geraldine (John) Munn. Mearl is survived by her loving family, daughters Jan ice (Dan) Cayer, Kim Eklund, Raelynn (Greg) Nicholson, grand sons Tyrell, Reece, Lane (Wyleen), Carson (Celina) Cayer, Cooper (Joanie) and Mason (Hunter) Nicholson and great-grandchildren Myah, Vyola, Burkley, Roan, Maverick; sister-in-law Jane Thompson and brothers-in-law Earl Paton, Ian Smith and Doug Eklund. A fu neral service was held on Friday, November 4, 2022, 2:00 pm at Piche - Hawkins - Grondin Funeral Chapels in Assiniboia, Saskatch ewan. Special reading was shared by Greg Nicholson. The pallbear ers were Mearl’s grandsons, Tyrell Cayer, Reece Cayer, Lane Cayer, Carson Cayer, Cooper Nicholson and Mason Nicholson, who also gave the eulogy and shared special memories. Words of remem brance were spoken by Darlene Hawes and the picture tribute was prepared by Joanie Tyler. Mearl will be laid to rest at the Bateman Cemetery. Memorial donations to South Country Health Care Foun dation were greatly appreciated. Online condolences can be shared at www.pichehawkinsgrondinfuneralchapels.ca
