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Sophia Maria Barnhart
December 29, 1916 - April 1, 2007
Birthpace: Moergestel, Noord Brabant, Netherlands
Residence: Centennial Special Care Home, Esterhazy, SK
Service: A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, July 20, 2007 from the Saltcoats United Church
Memorial Donations: In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the charity of your choice.
Obituary:
Barnhart (Nee Verhoeven) - On Sunday, April 1, 2007, Sophia Barnhart passed away peacefully at the age of 90. Sophia was predeceased by her loving husband Jim, her parents and her siblings. She will be forever loved and sadly missed by her two sons, Gordon (Naomi) of Regina and George (Bonnie) of Victoria; by grandchildren David (Shannon), Sarah (Drew), Jason, Meghan and Alyssa, and her great grandchildren Brenna, Teigan, and Emerson and her brother in law Robert. Sophia was born in the Netherlands in 1916 and came to Saskatchewan with her family at age 8 to farm near Tuffnel. She married Jim Barnhart of Saltcoats in 1937 and they raised two sons in Saltcoats. She was trained as a legal secretary and was happily married to Jim for 62 years. She devoted her life to and was so proud of her two sons and their families. We extend our thanks for the special care Sophia received at the Centennial Special Care Home in Esterhazy.
Joseph William Varga
April 12, 1915 - June 2, 2007
Birthpace: Otthon District of Saskatchewan
Residence: Yorkton, Saskatchewan
Service: A Service of Comfort for family and friends will be held on Wednesday evening at 7:00 p.m. from the Chapel of Christie's Funeral Home. The Funeral Service will be held on Thursday at 11:00 a.m. from the Chapel of Christie's Funeral Home. The interment will follow in the Yorkton City Cemetery.
Memorial Donations: Friends so wishing may make donations in Joe's name to the Saskatchewan Heart & Stroke Foundation or to the charity of their choice as tokens of remembrance.
Obituary:
Joseph William Varga (Joe) passed away peacefully on Saturday, June 2, 2007 at the age of 92 years. Joe was born on the family homestead in the Otthon district on April 12, 1915; the forth child of Steve and Elizabeth (nee Czinkota) Varga. As a young boy he attended West Otthon School. After completing elementary school, Joe helped out on the family farm. Joe loved to dance and liked nothing better than an old fashioned polka. Joe and his brothers formed a family orchestra with Alex on the accordion, Steve on the violin and Joe on the drums. They played at house parties, school and barn dances. He also learned to play the accordion. Joe was interested in mechanics and went to work at the Whitewood Garage. When the war broke out, Joe returned to the family farm to lend a hand. On June 30, 1946, Joe was united in marriage to Olga Stolar at the Orthodox Church in Yorkton. They moved to the Fenwood District to farm. In 1950, they bought the Fone Hill Store and Gas Bar. However, running the store and farming did not work very well, so, in 1953, they sold the store and returned to the farm. It was there Joe and Olga raised their three children. Joe loved all aspects of farming, it was his life’s work. He enjoyed working the land, looking after his cattle, and repairing equipment and vehicles. There was hardly anything he could not fix. In 1986, Joe and Olga moved to Yorkton where they purchased a home on Allanbrooke Drive. Joe enjoyed bowling and playing horseshoes. He was always up for a card game with friends and family, even though some of those games lasted late into the night. Joe also enjoyed hearing his grandchildren play their chosen instruments. Later on, Joe took up jigsaw puzzles and solitaire as pastimes. When Joe’s health began to fail, he became a resident of the Norquay Nursing Home. At the time of this death, Joe was a resident of the Yorkton & District Nursing Home, Morris House. Joe was predeceased by his parents, Steve and Elizabeth; his sister, Margaret and brothers, Alec (Olga), Steve (Lily), Paul and Ted. Joe leaves to mourn his passing and cherish his memory, Olga, his wife of 60 years; his daughter, Sherrelle (Duane) Johnson of Tribune, Saskatchewan; sons, Rod (Les) Varga of Yorkton, Saskatchewan and Lorne (Pat) Varga of Coleville, Saskatchewan; Grandchildren, Janalyn, Lacey and Cody Johnson; Garrett and Lindsey Varga; and Kacie Varga; step-grandchildren, Marley Janish and Layne and Cindy Garner; brother, Ernie of Yorkton; sister-in-law, Olga of Yorkton; brothers-in-law, John (Marge) Stolar of Yorkton and Mike (Marion) Stolar of Oakville, Ontario; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins as well as Kacie’s mother, Valora Varga of Marshall, Saskatchewan. Many thanks go out to the staff of the Norquay Health Centre and the Yorkton & District Nursing Home, Morris House for the excellent care that Joe received while residing there. Also, to the Yorkton Regional Health Centre, thank you for the care given to Joe throughout the past year and in his final hours. Those we loved never go away They walk with us every day. No longer in our lives to share But in our hearts they’re always there.
Byron Beryl Benjamin
September 13, 1919 - June 3, 2007
Birthpace: Dundurn, Saskatchewan
Residence: Yorkton and formerly Theodore, Saskatchewan
Service: Funeral Services for the Byron Benjamin, husband of Dorothy Profit, of the Yorkton & District Nursing Home and formerly of Theodore, will be held on Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. from the Chapel of Christie’s Funeral Home, Yorkton, Saskatchewan. The interment service will be held at the Dundurn Cemetery, Dundurn, Saskatchewan at 4:00 p.m.
Memorial Donations: Friends so wishing may make donations in Byron’s name to the Alzheimer’s Association of Saskatchewan as tokens of remembrance.
Obituary:
BENJAMIN The family of Byron Benjamin announce his passing on Sunday, June 3, 2007 at the Yorkton & District Nursing Home. He was 87 years of age. Byron Beryl Benjamin, son of William and Lillian (nee Holcomb) Benjamin, was born on September 13, 1919 in Dundurn, Saskatchewan. Byron was a man of many talents. He proudly served his duty overseas during World War II. His occupations varied from work at Palm Dairies, operating a “café”, owning a men’s wear store, to house construction. His life passion was horses. Another passion was his sweetheart, Dorothy, whom he married on November 17, 1993. Byron was predeceased by his parents, William and Lillian Benjamin; his brothers, William, Albert and Seymour Benjamin; his sisters, Melvina Comeault, Altha Upshall, Laura Harwold and Lucille Dalke. Byron is survived by his wife, Dorothy, her children and their families; his sister, Roberta Tamke as well as numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and good friends. Funeral Services were held on Wednesday, June 6, 2007 from the Chapel of Christie’s Funeral Home with Jane Jupe of Theodore United Church officiating. The organist, Mrs. Thelma Gillis, led the congregation and members of the Theodore United Church choir in the singing of the hymns, “In The Garden” and “Make Me A Channel of Your Peace”. The processional hymn was “Amazing Grace” and the recessional was “Happy Trails”. The Choir Anthem was “How Great Thou Art”. Eulogists, Clark Anderson and Maxine Boyle shared memories and tributes to Byron’s life. The interment service followed in the Dundurn Hilltop Cemetery in Dundurn, Saskatchewan with Gary Evans, Kris Profit, Brett Profit, Bob McCracken, Clint Unrau and Dan Precourt serving as casket bearers. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Christie’s Funeral Home & Crematorium.
Bernard Cyr
February 25, 1929 - June 4, 2007
Birthpace: Edmonton, AB
Residence: Yorkton, SK
Service: A Legion Funeral Service for the late Victor Cyr, beloved husband of Barbara Cyr of Yorkton will be held Tuesday at 3:00 P.M. from the chapel of Christie’s Funeral Home.
Memorial Donations: Friends so wishing may make memorial donations in Vic’s memory to the Yorkton Regional Health Centre for use in Palliative Care as tokens of remembrance.
Obituary:
Bernard Victor “Vic” Cyr was born on February 25, 1929 in Edmonton, Alberta, the son of Joseph and Cora May (nee Olds) Cyr. He received his education in Duchess, Alberta, Port Alberni, BC and Three Hills, Alberta. Growing up on the prairies, he was a huge fan of Wilf Carter and in his younger years even took violin lessons. Vic left school to work in construction around Medicine Hat, Alberta. Vic joined the Royal Canadian Army Service Corp in Calgary on October 14, 1948 and received his basic training in Camp Borden, Ontario and then was posted to Winnipeg, Manitoba. He helped sand bag during the floods of the Red River in 1950 and 1951 and transferred in 1952 to Whitehorse, Yukon. During his years up north he traveled the great Alaskan Highway from end to end and side trips to such places as Destruction Bay and Snag Weather Station, known as the coldest spot in the north. Vic drove the ration truck to the North West Highway system camps (the highway was still a military one at that time). In 1954 he was moved to Dawson Creek, B.C. at Mile “0". There he met and later married Barbara Jean McWha of Pouce Coupe, B.C. on September 22, 1954 and the couple welcomed their daughter, Merrilee Erin in June of the following year. In 1957 the Cyr’s were transferred to Winnipeg and their son, Richard arrived in March of 1958. Victor was with #10 Transport then transferred to #1 Transport attached to the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery. They resided in Winnipeg for 9 years of which he was away a lot. He spent time in Churchill for winter training (as if Winnipeg wasn’t cold enough!); Wainwright, Alberta for summer concentration, Thule, Greenland, Camp Borden on courses. Barb often said that Winnipeg was just a place to drop off his dirty laundry. In 1963 he was stationed at Rivers, Manitoba - Canadian Joint Air Training Base, Air Supply School. In March of 1966, the family transferred to Camp Borden and in October of the same year found themselves in Soest, Germany while Vic was stationed with # 4 Transport, Fort Chambley and from there to Fort Qu’Appelle in Iserlohn, Germany returning in 1969 to the Canadian Joint Air Training Base in Rivers, Manitoba. The base closed in 1971 and Vic transferred to the Radar Base at Whitespruce, Saskatchewan. Vic retired from the service in January of 1976 but found that after 29 years of military service it was hard to be out of uniform. After a year he joined the Corp of Commissionaires and became a familiar sight at the Yorkton Union Hospital for the next 20 years, retiring from there on May 31st, 1999. After his second retirement, Vic and Barbara made the tour of the Alaska Highway and he always said he wanted to go back and stay somewhere on the old road. Of course, every summer they went “home” to Pouce Coupe and Dawson Creek, B.C. Vic liked to go out to his workshop and make things such as wind chimes, especially the Red Neck Wind Chimes he made from beer cans, as well as other wood working projects or just to putter. He enjoyed fishing and just loafing on Fishing Lake with his dog. Victor is survived by his wife of 52 ½ years, Barbara Jean; his daughter, Merrilee (Bob) Grunert of Kelliher, Saskatchewan; his son, Richard (Debra) Cyr of Edmonton, Alberta; grandchildren, Dan and Jennifer Grunert and Trevor and Shannon Cyr; his sisters, Marilyn (Lorne) McArthur of Red Deer, Alberta and Joanne (Gauke) DeVries of Red Deer, Alberta as well as many other relatives and good friends. Legion Funeral Rites were conducted on Tuesday, June 12, 2007 from the Chapel of Christie’s Funeral Home with the Reverend Ken Buchan serving as the Padre. The Sergeant-Ar-Arms was Peter Wyatt and the Acts of Remembrance were led by Joe Yurkoski. The Color Party was Andy Juba, Tracy Cross, Ed St. Pierre, John Miller and other members of the General Alexander Ross Branch #77 of the Royal Canadian Legion. Vic’s sister, Joanne DeVries, remembered him in tribute and eulogy. In accordance with Vic’s wishes a private family cremation committal will follow at a later date. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Christie’s Funeral Home & Crematorium, Yorkton, Saskatchewan.
Evelyn Marion Green-Poppy
February 25, 1920 - June 3, 2007
Birthpace: Esterhazy, Saskatchewan
Residence: Esterhazy, Saskatchewan
Service: Funeral Mass for the late Evelyn Green-Poppy of Esterhazy, will be held on Monday at 2:00 p.m. from Our lady of Victories Roman Catholic Church, Esterhazy. The cremation committal service will take place at a later date.
Memorial Donations: Friends so wishing may make donations to the Regina Humane Society, P.O. Box 3143, Regina, SK, S4P 3G7.
Obituary:
Green-Poppy Evelyn Green – Poppy was born February 25, 1920 to Peter and Julia Tochor. Evelyn married Frank Green June 8 , 1936 and moved to Yarbo where Frank was an elevator agent. In the early 1940’s they moved to Welland Ont. where Evelyn worked picking fruit and waitressing but missing the west after a few years, they decided to return home. In 1943 they moved back to Yarbo where they owned and operated a confectionary and poolroom , 1946 would find them in Lemberg, Sask. owning and operating a furniture store. In 1948 they bought a small farm in Esterhazy and the following year moved into town where Frank returned to grain buying while continuing to farm. In 1960 they opened a grocery store in Esterhazy and the next year moved to Grayson, Sask. where they lived until 1970, Frank buying grain for the Sask. Wheat Pool. Frank and Evelyn retired to Esterhazy that year and enjoyed their retirement until 1977 when Frank passed away. On January 18,1980 Evelyn married Cole Poppy from Shaunavon, Sask. They kept homes in both towns enabling them to enjoy all their family and friends . Both enjoyed travelling so winters would find them visiting warm destinations and summers would be filled with fishing and camping. Cole passed away in 1998 and Evelyn took up permanent residence in Esterhazy. Evelyn was a lady of many talents. She decorated wedding cakes for many years, sewed for her family, loved to garden and cook, was passionate about nature and especially loved her flowers. In her younger years she volunteered her time to the Ladies’ Hospital Auxillary where she convened large dinners and participated in fund raising. Evelyn is predeceased by her husbands Frank Green (1977) and Cole Poppy (1998), parents Peter and Julia Tochor, sisters Margaret, Clara and Patricia, brothers Walter ( Marlene) , Ronald (Pauline) and grandson Ryan Green. Evelyn is survived by sisters Ethel (Charlie Cox, deceased) , Bernadette ( Neil McNamara), brothers Richard (Rolanda) and Jerome (Pauline), her children Russell (Evelyn), Gordon (Elaine) and Fern (Patrick) Riess, and their respective grandchildren, Lynn and Graham Green, Greg, Janelle (Blair) Newell, Sheryl (Don Kopeck), Warren and Melissa Green, Kerry Riess and Kara (Craig) Rowan, and respective great-grandchildren Joshua, Tyrien and Elijah Newell, Alexis Doyle Green, and Kailey Green, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Also expecting are Kara Rowan , Sheryl Green and Jen (Jamie) Poppy. She is also remembered by the Poppy families, stepson Bruce (Charlene), their children Laura (Bruce), Lee (Malina) and Shannon, grandchildren Chase, Declan, Jasper, stepson, Gordon (Yolande), their children Cory (Nicole), James (Jen) and grandchild Reagan. Funeral Mass was held on Monday, June 11, 2007 from Our Lady of Victories Roman Catholic Church with Father Albert Schmitz officiating. The organist, Joan Petracek, led the congregation and members of the Senior Choir in the singing of the hymns, “Peace Is Flowing Like A River”, “I Will Never Forget You”, “The Old Rugged Cross” and “How Great Thou Art”. The Altar Servers were Leonard Knourek, Ernie Toth, Dennis Tochor and Louis Hozjan. Also assisting in the service were readers, Elaine Green and Kara Riess and Gift Bearers Melissa Green and Lynn Green. The pallbearers were Graham Green, Warren Green, Kerry Riess, Jamie Poppy, Cory Poppy and Lee Poppy. In accordance with Evelyn’s wishes a private family cremation committal will follow at a later date. The family wishes to extend their deepest gratitude for the compassionate care given to Evelyn by the doctors and medical staffs of St Anthony’s Hospital (Esterhazy) and the General Hospital (Regina). Friends so wishing may make donations to the Regina Humane Society, P.O. Box 3143, Regina, SK, S4P 3G7. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Christie’s Funeral Home & Crematorium, Yorkton, Saskatchewan.
Leonard David Armbruster
April 3, 1926 - June 10, 2007
Birthpace: Duff District of Saskatchewan
Residence: Saltcoats, Saskatchewan
Service: Funeral Services for the late Leonard Armbruster beloved husband of Carol Armbruster of the Saltcoats district will be held Thursday at 2:00 pm from St. Paul Lutheran Church Yorkton. A private family committal service will follow in the Saltcoats Town Cemetery.
Memorial Donations: Friends may make memorial donations in Leonard’s memory to Ronald MacDonald House or the Canadian Cancer Society as tokens of remembrance.
Obituary:
Leonard was born on Section 21, Township 21 near Duff, Saskatchewan on April 3, 1926. He was the second son of Joseph and Anne (Trelenberg) and worked with them and his brothers and sisters on the family farm. He was baptized at St. Peters Lutheran Church in Duff and confirmed at Christ Lutheran Church in Neudorf, Saskatchewan. He attended school at Pheasant Hills. Leonard’s bond with the land continued all of his life, as did his love of horses. He left the Neudorf area in 1949, driving a herd of horses across the prairie to begin farming with his family on Section 8 in the Perley District. In 1957, he married Carol Jones. Leonard and Carol raised four children on the farm, and as their children grew, so too did their farming business. Leonard entered farming retirement but still maintained his interest and a helping hand to his children. The night before he died, Leonard and Carol were out checking the spring crops and the root piles. He loved the land, he loved his farm and his roots ran deep. Leonard’s love of horses facilitated his work with youth; he was an assistant 4-H leader and a lifetime member of the Saltcoats Agriculture Society. With his children and through his business, he worked with horses - buying and selling, or breaking them to saddle or harness. Leonard played an active role in his church as a council secretary in the small St. Paul’s Church in Saltcoats and as a deacon in his current faith community. Leonard’s greatest pleasure was his family. Dad was there to help, to guide, and to applaud the achievements, big and small. When his children began families of their own, he accepted the title of Papa and relished in it - from hockey games to graduations to birthday parties, Papa was there. Leonard was predeceased by his son, Timothy David; his parents, Joseph and Annie, his granddaughter, Sophia Verkerk, his brothers Ernest and Samuel, a sister and brother in infancy, his mother-in-law and father-in-law Olive and Elmer Jones, his sister-in-law Darlene Jones, brothers-in-laws Peter Temple and Harold Poier and son-in-law John Farrar. He leaves to mourn his wife Carol, his daughter Debra Davie (Trent), his son Joe (Caroline), his daughter Deana Verkerk (David), his grandchildren Lindsay (Jason), Joel, Kelly, Courtney, Caitlin, Blaze, Katja, step-grandson Blade, great-grandchildren Landon and Spencer, his sisters Barbara Poier and Irene Koroll (Harry), his brother Fred (Sylvia), his brother-in-law Bill Jones and numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral Services were held on Thursday, June 14, 2007 from St. Paul Lutheran Church with Pastor Fred Schneider officiating. The organist, Mrs. Carla Laycock, led the congregation in the singing of the hymns, “Precious Lord, Take My Hand”, “When Peace Like A River” and “Here I Am, Lord”. The soloist, Ray Yost, sang “How Great Thou Art”. The interment service followed in the Saltcoats Town Cemetery with Lindsay Malachowski, Joel Armbruster, Kelly Orr, Courtney Armbruster, Caitlin Armbruster, Blaze Davie, Katja Verkerk and Blade Davie serving as casket bearers. Leonard’s family extend heartfelt thanks to Joel Penner, Kim Cooper, the Saltcoats Fire Department, the nurses at the Yorkton Regional Health Centre and Dr. Koudsi for their care and compassion during Leonard’s life and passing. Thank you to Pastor Fred Schneider, organist Carla Laycock, soloist Raymond Yost, Vern Novak and the staff of Christie’s Funeral Chapel for their work and creativity during the funeral and to the pallbearers - Lindsay, Joel, Kelly, Courtney, Caitlin, Blaze, Blade and Katja. Blessings and thanks to all of the friends and neighbors who offered support in our time of sadness and joined us in celebrating Leonard’s life. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Christie’s Funeral Home & Crematorium, Yorkton, Saskatchewan.
