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Florence Belanger
Passed away: June 6, 2009
Florence Eleanor Belanger passed away on Saturday, June 6, 2009 at the age of 69 years. Florence was born on February 12, 1940 at Rosetown, SK, to Russell & Edith Phillips. She married Bud (Nazaire) Belanger on October 27, 1956 at Rosetown, SK. This union was blessed with two sons, Brian and Brent and a daughter Michelle. Mom will be remembered by hundreds as the wonderful lady from the Woolworth’s Cafeteria or the Wal-Mart Pharmacy. Having worked 30 years with the company, retiring only four years ago, she was known for her ‘Bubbly’ personality and very rarely did she ever miss a day of work. Mom was currently doing a small cleaning job for the Swift Current City Hall, and again her outstanding work ethic and loveable character made her very popular among the other employees. Mom was a fantastic Mother, Grandmother and Great-Grandmother. She was fun and energetic. She made us all proud and we are truly blessed to have shared in her life. She will be deeply missed by all whose lives she touched. Florence leaves to cherish her memory her children and their families, Brian (Dorothy) Belanger, Swift Current, SK, granddaughter, Jessie (Jason) Belanger-Therrien, Swift Current, SK, great-grandsons, Keegan and Karson Belanger-Therrien: Brent (April) Belanger, Swift Current, SK, grandson, Nicholas Belanger, granddaughters, Amie and Leah Belanger: Michelle (Ken) Mackow, Chaplin, SK, granddaughter, Briana Mackow and grandson, Carter Mackow; a brother, Gordon (Brenda) Phillips; and her sisters, Edna (Cliff) Naigel and Joyce Phillips. She was predeceased by her husband of 38 years, Bud (Nazaire) Belanger; her brother, Donnie Phillips, Biggar, SK; and by her parents, Russell & Edith Phillips, Rosetown, SK. The Private Family Funeral Service was held on Friday, June 12, 2009 at 2:00 pm from the Swift Current Funeral Chapel, Swift Current, SK with Pastor Mike Fedunec officiating. In memory of Mrs. Florence Belanger, donations made to the SPCA or to the Charity of the Donor’s Choice would be appreciated by the family. Funeral arrangements were in care of Swift Current Funeral Home, Swift Current, SK.
Les Engen
Passed away: May 25, 2009
Leslie Allan Engen, age 82, currently of Regina, Saskatchewan, died of heart complications on May 25, 2009 in the Regina General Hospital. He will be sadly missed by his beloved wife and best friend of almost 52 years, Joyce Engen; his seven children and sixteen grandchildren: Gaylene (Glen) Little, Sydney, Alexandrea and Mackenzie: Leslie (Joanne) Engen: Valerie (Dan) Wesley, Hannah, Chanyn and Halle: Derrick Engen, Krysta: Phil (Gwen) Engen, Jairdin, Seth and Caleb: Tara Stojkovich, Vladimir "Mika" and Piper: Tania (Brandon) Brown, Zephaniah, Zayin, Elya and Kyan; his sisters-in-law, Sylvia Espe and Dorothy Engen; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Les goes to be re-united with his parents, Elling and Annette (Hanson) Engen; his five siblings: Arthur, Edward, Dorothea (Eddie) Huebert, James, and Harold; and his son-in-law, Vladimir Stojkovich. Les grew up on a farm in the Shaunavon/Eastend area of Saskatchewan and taught at various locations throughout the province, including Frontier, Loreburn, Eston, and Herbert. Wherever Les went, he inspired people with his gentleness, his sense of humor, his faith, and his love for his family. He was a lifetime scholar of the Bible and a member of the Gideons International – a remarkable man of integrity who will be sorely missed by all who knew him.
The funeral will be held at White Valley Lutheran Church at 2:00 PM on Saturday, May 30, 2009. Memorial donations may be given to Gideons International or Lutheran Collegiate Bible Institute.
Trevor Regier
Passed away: May 6, 2009
Trevor John Regier was born to John and Tiena Regier on March 17, 1960 at the Herbert Hospital. Even in his childhood years, Trevor had a quiet nature. He enjoyed biking, ski-doing and spent many hours building “forts” in the haystacks and “snow forts” in the snow banks. Trevor and his family spent many happy hours with the Neufeld family, (Uncle Walter & Aunt Elvira & kids), often spending weekends in Cypress Hills, camping and also weekends in Saskatoon, water sliding. At the age of six, he invited Jesus to live in his heart. He attended Sunday school and church regularly. Trev had many enjoyable weeks at West Bank Bible Camp in the summer. He attended “Boys Brigade Club” for many of his younger years, and enjoyed all of their activities. Trevor also enjoyed and loved youth group activities with the church. He had many dear friends throughout his adolescent years. Trev loved playing games, and Sunday afternoons at Grandma & Grandpa Regier’s house was always a good time for that with his cousins. Sometimes, he and his cousin would disappear to the basement and we would find them there, reading the encyclopedia! He was a real competitor in the game of “Risk”. Sometimes it took hours and sometimes a day, to finish a game and he usually won! He attended public school in Herbert as well as High School, where he was very active in basketball, volleyball, curling, track and field, and softball, coached by his dad. Trev graduated from Herbert High School in 1978. He entered and graduated from a three year course at Bethany Bible School in Hepburn, Sk in 1981. He spent the next four years at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon, where he received his degree in Commerce and Business Administration. In between school years, he worked at the Trans Canada Pipelines at Herbert, and also at the Research Station in Brooks, Alberta. Trev began working at the Herbert Nursing Home in November of 1986 as the facility’s accountant. He often remarked that he had found his dream job... He clearly enjoyed his time and the friends he made there. Whenever anyone had a question about just about anything financially or otherwise, you would often hear “Just ask Trev, he’ll know....”. He remained employed there, until the integration of the facility with the hospital in 2006, when his services were “no longer required”... though we all knew, that they still were! When the position of Town Administrator became open, he was encouraged to apply for the position. He was accepted and he began employment there in July of 2006 where he was employed until the time of his passing. He also did accounting for the Group Home as well as for the MB Church. Trev and Brenda met and became friends while both employed at the Herbert Nursing Home. It was after he completed his work there, that they started “hanging around”, walking the dog, watching TV or movies, and playing cards with friends. It was July 1, of 2006, when they had their first “official” date and it was July 1, 2007, when they decided to make permanent living arrangements. Because Trev wasn’t noted for having a good memory for dates, it seemed fitting that everything would be on the 1st of July, and that was also the date, they had chosen to be quietly married on the family farm... but sadly, that was not to be. Trev and Brenda also enjoyed vacationing... They packed into a van, the Marnie Mobile, as it became known, with their friends Marcel & Connie, and Alden & Lisa for a weeks’ vacation to Las Vegas in February of 2007. It was a blast and so they planned to go again in September of 2008, meeting up with Lyle and Kelly, and mom and dad, to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary. Trev and Brenda drove down, and toured along the way taking in over 12 States, coming home through Denver and watching the Denver Broncos football and also through Minnesota, taking in a Twins baseball game. They also went through Mount Rushmore, and several other attractions along the way. Trev was very active in sports... he especially loved curling, and curled in the Super League in Swift Current, as well as the League in Herbert. Trev and his # 1 fan, Brenda attended many bonspiels throughout the winter months. Trev also loved golfing and had made plans to do a lot of that with his friend, Desi this summer. He and Brenda also enjoyed playing cards with their friends on a regular basis as well, meeting almost weekly for a night of fun and laughter.... Trev started feeling unwell, on Saturday, April 18... mostly feeling a lack of energy, and what we thought would be a simple cold. On Sunday, when Brenda came home from work, she came home to a very ill and weak man, very jaundiced with an aggressive cough. Brenda took Trev into the Herbert Hospital, and he was transferred to Swift Current on Monday morning, and from there, flown by air ambulance to Regina General Hospital. He was given immediate blood transfusions. We lost count of the number of units he received. He was diagnosed with Hemolytic Anemia, where the body’s red blood cells destroy each other. He had an extremely rare form of this disorder, and doctors were puzzled as to what caused this, or how to treat it. Even though he was given countless transfusions, the blood cells were still being destroyed. On Thursday, April 23, his doctor spoke with Kama and Brenda and suggested he be placed on life support to make him comfortable enough to receive his first of many daily dialysis, and plasma exchange procedures. He was not totally reliant on the respirator, and was able to assist. Up until this point, he had not felt pain, but that had changed. On April 25, Trev’s heart was under major stress because of all that was happening with his other organs. We all thought, and in fact were told, that this could be his last day. Family was called in to say good bye. He did however rally, even though his organs began getting even weaker. Trev was holding his own, remained responsive and very jaundiced... On Saturday, May 2, his condition became even more unstable, and doctors found that there was massive internal bleeding, which required immediate, though life threatening surgery. There would be no options, and he went in for surgery shortly after 1 am, and returned at 2:30 am. The surgeons found that his spleen had ruptured, had it removed, but there was still a risk of bleeding. Again we were told to say our good byes, and yet again, Trev rallied and made another hurdle. His strength amazed us. He began continual dialysis in place of the daily 3 hour procedure he had been receiving. The following days, his body temperature dropped and we saw his condition deteriorating even further. He acknowledged us with a squeeze or a nod. On the evening and night of May 5, it was evident that Trev had changed, and his eyes were distant and vacant... The morning of May 6, the doctor and social worker approached Brenda and Tiena and to say that all measures had been exhausted and in their opinion, it was time to let Trev go. We agreed and joined the family in saying our goodbyes. We gathered around his bed, the respirator was removed, and within minutes, Trev quietly, and peacefully passed away. He left us as calmly as he lived. Trev leaves behind many who loved and cherished him... His fiancé, Brenda of Herbert and her daughter, Sheradyn & Bob of Swift Current, and his much loved daughter, Kama & Justin and their daughter, his grand daughter, McKenzie of Swift Current. He also loved and leaves behind, his parents, John & Tiena Regier and brother, Rob of Swift Current, and his sister, Kelly & Lyle, Emily and Graham of Herbert, as well as many dearly loved aunts, uncles and special cousins. Trev also leaves a very unique and blended family, a daughter, Kristina of Saskatoon, and sons, Tyler & Melissa and their daughter, his grand daughter, Madeline of Rosthern, Justin & Brittany of Herbert, and Forrest of Prince Rupert, BC. He also leaves behind, much love and respect from his future parents-in-law, Alvin & Alma Schapansky, brothers-in-law, Ken & Glenda and their family, and Ryan and his family, and many who called him “friend”. Trev was predeceased by his grandparents, John & Suzie Regier and John & Agnes Funk and several dear aunts and cousins.
The Funeral Service was held on Tuesday, May 12, 2009 at 2:00 pm from the Herbert High School, Herbert, SK with Pastor Donovan Epp and Pastor Bob Cappelle officiating. Ministry in Song was brought by Ken & Kathy Siemens and by Mark Penner. The life history of Trevor Regier was read by George Janzen. Murray Epp shared a personal tribute and Randy Ens presented a PowerPoint tribute on behalf of the family. The ushers were Jim Sawatzky, Randall Fast, Ron Mathies, Harry Friesen, Al Jahnke and Ron Schultz. The Private Family Interment Service preceded the Funeral Service and was held at the Herbert Cemetery, Herbert, SK with Trev’s curling team players serving as pallbearers, David Gin, Alden Seib, Darcey Huyghebaert, Kevin Braun, Brian Schulz and Chris Montgomery. In memory of Trevor Regier, donations made to the Canadian Blood Services or to the Westbank Bible Camp would be appreciated by the family. Funeral arrangements were in care of Swift Current Funeral Home, Swift Current, SK.
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We as a family, are so grateful for the wonderful care Trev received on his journey to Heaven. It began with our local hospital, on to Swift Current, and then Regina General Hospital. The specialists in Regina left no stone unturned, and fought to treat and solve this mystery illness that claimed our dear Trev. We hope in time to receive answers, but realize that may never happen. Trev was a very patient man, and this whole experience has taught us a lesson in patience as well. A phrase he would often use was, “Baby steps, just take baby steps” and we rejoice in knowing that those baby steps led him on to Heaven....
Abe Olfert
Passed away: April 25, 2009
It is with a great sense of loss and yet our hearts are full, knowing a dear child of God has stepped through the final threshold of his life. Abram X. Olfert passed away peacefully in his sleep on April 25, 2009 during the last hour of the day. It was two weeks prior to this that he lost an alarming amount of blood and never really recovered from this. He was conscious to the end and never complained about any pain. Abram X. lived a full life of 93 years, 5 months and 4 days. Abe was born on April 21, 1915 at home in Reinfeld. He received his education at a German School in Reinfeld, plus eight years in Iris School (English). He was able to put that education to full use as manager of the Co-op Store in McMahon and as Treasurer at the churches he was a member of. The biblical faith and values of his grandfather, who died for his faith in Russia, became a very dear part of his life. He was baptized upon the confession of his faith in the Sommerfeld Church and became a member of the Wymark EMC in 1958, and later the Swift Current EMC. On November 12, 1939, at the age of 24, he married Justina Schmidt, at the Schmidt residence . They worked as farm laborers for four years, had their own farm at Reinfeld for eight years, and then moved to McMahon in 1951. He took on the management of the Co-op Store until 1975, when they moved to Swift Current. Here he worked at Firestone Tire and then later at Home & Auto. Abe suffered a great loss when the love of his life, Justina, passed away on March 20, 1978. She had suffered from diabetes and heart & stroke problems for over sixteen years. Abe also went through some physical setbacks. His first stroke took away his walking and some of his speech. But with an extreme amount of will power, exercising and therapy, he was able to walk, drive his car and have coffee with his friends at the Bus Depot. The second stroke took his mobility away again but he never stopped exercising, with the hope of being able to walk again. His positive spirit never seemed to waver and when he was asked why he was so happy, he would reply, “I am happy because I have Jesus in my heart”, while tapping his chest. He enjoyed playing ball in his younger years, harmonica, crokinole, checkers, and later bingo (for the prize of chocolate bars) at the Herbert Nursing Home. He kept his mind and spirit alert by doing crossword puzzles, reading his Bible and listening to Bible centered tapes. He wore out two cassette players and was using the third, listening to tapes of music and Bible readings. Abram X. Olfert was predeceased by his wife, Justina, 1978; his parents, Franz & Elisabeth; his two step-mothers, Margaretha Harder and Margaretha Driedger; his brothers, Frank (Helen), Cornelius, Isaac (Susan); his sisters, Elisabeth (Jacob) Dyck, Maria Olfert, Tina (Jake) Unrau, Sarah (Abe) Redekopp, Margaret (Robert) Shaw, Susan Teichrib; his brothers-in-law, Peter Giesbrecht, George Fast, Ray Glenn and Milton Spitzer. Having no children, Abe has left to mourn his passing a special niece (who was like a daughter to him), Betty (Wayne) Campbell, Winnipeg, MB, their children, Brian and Nancy; a special nephew, Ron (Trudy) Olfert, Swift Current, SK and their family, who took care of all his needs especially while he was in the Herbert Nursing Home. He is also survived by his sisters, Anna Fast, Helen (George) Driedger, Mary Hanson, Neta Spitzer; his brother, Jake (Esther); sister-in-law, Mary Olfert; brother-in-law, Jake Teichrib; and numerous nieces, nephews and friends. The family would like to extend heartfelt thanks and appreciation to all the staff at the Herbert Nursing Home for the wonderful care given to our uncle during the many years of his residing there. The Funeral Service was held on Friday, May 1, 2009 at 2:00 pm from the Cornerstone Fellowship Church, Swift Current, SK with Pastor Bryon Bezanson and Pastor Peter Janzen officiating. The pianist for the service was Trudy Olfert. Pastor Peter Janzen read Psalm 23. “”When We All Get to Heaven”, “It Is Well With My Soul”, “Amazing Grace” and “He Leadeth Me” were sung by the congregation under the direction of Pastor Bryon Bezanson. The obituary was read by Margaret Dyck with Ron Olfert sharing a tribute and Sally Knelsen bringing the eulogy. The meditation was brought by Lester Olfert. The Interment Service was held at the Wymark EMC Cemetery, Chortitz, SK with the following serving as pallbearers, Frank Glenn, Peter Wiebe, Jake Knelsen, Frank Redekopp, Peter Dyck and Dave Fehr. In Memory of Mr. Abe X. Olfert, donations made to the Gideons International would be appreciated by the family. Funeral arrangements were in care of Swift Current Funeral Home, Swift Current, SK.
Katharine Friesen
Passed away: April 27, 2009
Katharine (Reddekopp) Friesen went to be with her Lord and Savior on Monday, April 27, 2009 at the age of 94 years. She was born on January 12, 1915, in the Hopefield District, to Abraham and Margaretta Reddekopp. She married George Friesen, of Blumenhof, on March 10, 1940. They farmed in the Blumenhof District until their retirement in 1973. Upon retirement, they moved into Swift Current. Dad passed away in August, 1976. Mother continued to live in her own home until 2002, when she moved to The Bentley Retirement Community. She was hospitalized in February, 2009, and in March moved to the Foyer St. Joseph Nursing Home, Ponteix, SK where she passed away peacefully with her family by her side. Katharine was a member of the Sommerfeld Mennonite Church at Schoenfeld, SK. She will always be remembered for the good meals she made when family and friends came to visit. Hospitality was her gift. She was also a wonderful seamstress, always sewing clothes for her family. Her hobby was growing beautiful flowers, and her vegetable garden never had a weed in it. Katharine leaves to mourn her passing her daughter, Joyce & Ed Froese, Wymark, SK; her son, Edwin Friesen, Moose Jaw, SK; her grandson, Laird & Jocelyn Froese and their three children, Zackery, Riley and Jaela Froese, all of Saskatoon, SK; her sister, Anne & Jake Schmidt, Abbotsford, BC; sisters-in-law, Martha Ens, Mary & Henry Friesen; brothers-in-law, Jake & Mary Friesen, Henry & Tina Friesen; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, George Friesen; her sisters, Mary & Ben Heppner, Margaret & Abe Friesen, Susan & Isaac Olfert; her brothers, Abe & Sarah Reddekopp and John & Mary Reddekopp. The Funeral Service was held on Friday, May 1, 2009 at 2:00 pm from the Sommerfeld Mennonite Church, Schoenfeld, SK with Rev. Abe Funk officiating. The Interment Service was held at the Schoenfeld Cemetery with the following serving as pallbearers, Abe Ens, John Kehler, John Neustaeter, Laird Froese, Ed Froese and Pete Knelsen. In Memory of Mrs. Katharine Friesen, donations made to the Foyer St. Joseph Nursing Home, Ponteix, SK would be appreciated by the family. Funeral arrangements were in care of Swift Current Funeral Home, Swift Current, SK.
Lloyd Lester
Passed away: April 26, April 2009
Lloyd Lester was born on September 28th, 1926 at the Shaunavon Union Hospital. He grew up on his parents farm in the Stone District and attended school at Antelope Lake School. After completing school, he worked for Charlie Behrman at the implement dealership in Shaunavon. He married Henrietta (Toots) Aldag on June 11th, 1947, and immediately began their family. They had two daughters – Faye Lynn and Donna May. Six months after Faye’s birth, the family moved to Cranbrook, BC where Lloyd found employment as a cat operator in the logging industry. He attended school in the evenings and received training as a first aid attendant. He was a valued employee for, in addition to operating the cat, he drove the crew bus, worked as a medic and fought forest fires. In 1966, Lloyd and his family moved back to Saskatchewan where he farmed and worked as an operator in the oilfield. He and Toots resided at the Aldag homestead north of Shaunavon until 2000, when they moved to town. In the fall of 2006, he moved to the Autumn House in Gull Lake. He loved spending time with his family and spent as much time as possible playing with his daughters and grandchildren. In Cranbrook, he started the first girls’ baseball team. He also built a bobsled and took the girls sledding down the logging roads. He shared with his grandson, Darren, his love of fishing and hunting. He taught both his grandchildren to drive with his old standard Datsun. Lloyd loved dancing, singing and playing the piano. At the Autumn House, he was always eager to join in any sing-song and loved to dance with the ladies.
Lloyd was survived by his daughter, Donna Shulson; his sister-in-law, Opal Lester; his grandchildren, Darren and Christine; and his great-grandchildren, Rori, Tessa, Sierra, Chenielle and Daylan; as well as many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his oldest daughter, Faye; his wife, Toots; his son-in-law, Bruce Shulson; his parents, Harry and Kate Lester; his brothers, Vern, Glen and Allan; and his sisters, Grace Behrman and Hazel Lester.
The Funeral Service was held on Thursday, April 30, 2009 at 2:00 pm from the Salem Lutheran Church, Shaunavon, SK with Rev. Eugene Mau officiating. The organist for the service was Lynn Wilson. “Rock of Ages”, “The Old Rugged Cross”, “When Peace Like a River” and “Nearer My God to Thee” were sung by the congregation. The eulogy was shared by Donna Shulson. The Interment of Cremains will be held at a later date. In Memory of Mr. Lloyd Lester, donations made to the Autumn House, Gull Lake, SK, c/o R.M. of Carmichael would be appreciated by the family. Funeral arrangements were in care of Swift Current Funeral Home, Swift Current, SK.
John Benallack
Passed away: February 1, 2009
John was born on February 12, 1936, in Moose Jaw, SK to John and Lilian Benallack. John received his Diploma in Agriculture from the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon and later became a Journeyman Welder. With this training, he opened his own shop, J. Benallack Welding Ltd., in 1982, where he worked until his retirement. John was a hard worker and was very proud of his business. John loved to work. John also enjoyed spending time on the family ranch, which he owned for a few years. He never felt that spending time at the ranch was work, always enjoyment. He often reminisced about time spent on the ranch with his family. John was predeceased by his parents, John and Lilian Benallack, his sister Dana Benallack (1938), his daughter Sandy Benallack-Murphy (1998), and his brother George Benallack (2007). John is survived by his children, Tammy Berg of Swift Current, Al (Pam) Benallack of Medicine Hat, Cheri (Mel) Kantrud of Medicine Hat; grandchildren, Brett Berg, Kyle Berg, Carson Benallack, Jessemy Benallack, Jesse Benallack, Shelby Benallack, Kelsie Kantrud, Kris Kantrud; great-grandchildren, Broden Berg, Dylan Kantrud, and Zane Kantrud; sisters Avelle MacDonald of Calgary and Patty (Gus) Tzotzos of Calgary; sister-in-law Shirley Benallack, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
