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William H. (Bill) Neudorf
February 4, 1932 – May 7, 2016
The death of William H. (Bill) Neudorf, age 84 years, occurred on May 7, 2016 at Rosthern Hospital. Bill is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Irma; four children, Kathy (John) Neufeld, Surrey, BC; Cheryl (Mel) Foth, Hague, SK; Allan (Bev) Neudorf, Rosthern, SK; Susan Esau, Linden, AB; 13 grandchildren and their spouses, six great grandchildren, and his siblings, Elsie (Ambros) Siemens, Rosthern, SK and Eileen (Menno) Thiessen, Kerrobert, SK. Bill was predeceased by his parents, Bernhard (1970) and Gertrude (1995), his siblings, Ben, (2010), Abram (1931), Doreen (1937), and son-in-law, Corey Esau (2002). A public viewing for family and friends will be held at 7:30 P.M. on Friday, May 13 at Funk’s Funeral Chapel, Rosthern, SK. The Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, May 14, 2016 at 2:00 P.M. at the Rosthern Mennonite Church with Rev. Craig Neufeld and Dr. John Neufeld officiating. Interment will take place at Rosthern Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to The Gideons International in Canada, 501 Imperial Road North, Guelph, ON N1H 7A2 and/or Sask Valley Hospital Foundation Inc., Box 93, Rosthern, SK S0K 3R0. Arrangements are in care of Funk’s Funeral Home, Rosthern, SK
Ruth Dubray
June 16, 1922 – May 4, 2016
Ruth Dubray passed away peacefully in the early evening of May 4, 2016 at the Mennonite Nursing Home in Rosthern in the loving embrace of her family.
Ruth is survived by her son Tim Castle (Donna Henderson), her stepson Barrie (Elaine), her stepdaughter Bev (Rick) Folkerson, her grandchildren Michael and Erin Henderson-Castle, Jason, Michelle and Craig Dubray, Darryl, Lisa, and Leanne Folkerson, one great-grandchild, and nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her parents James and Amelia Spratt, her first husband Ron Castle, her son Jim Castle, her brother Harold (Florence), sister Violet (Ted) Smith, brother Teddy, sister Mae (Don) Fraser, and her second husband Arnold Dubray.
Ruth Emily Spratt was born on June 16, 1922 in the Sprattsville area near Girvin Saskatchewan to Amelia and James William Spratt. She was the youngest of a family of five, and grew up in a home of strong Christian faith. In her adult years she wrote that her personal relationship with her Lord Jesus Christ began in her childhood in the aftermath of the tragic death of her teenage brother, killed by a windmill toppled by a horse.
The hard times of the dry and dusty 1930’s had a lasting influence on her. Although she was diligent in her frugality, she was generous with her time and love expressed to her family, and the hard times did not sully her ‘spunkiness’ and adventuresome spirit. She frequently concocted new juice combinations and never declined trying an unfamiliar food. She was forever awed by the beauty of a sunset through the trees, or colourful blossoms in spring, or hoar frost on a winter morning.
The dry years on the prairies prompted the Spratt family to move first to the Fraser farm near Girvin in 1931, then north to re-establish the family farm near Star City in 1933. There Ruth attended the rural one room Norwood School to Grade 10, and finished her high school by correspondence. She attended Bible School in Regina, and took nurse’s training in Neepawa MB, graduating as a Licensed Practical Nurse in 1950. While in Neepawa MB she met Air Radio Operator Ron Castle. They were married in August 1954. The newlyweds studied at John Brown University in Siloam Springs Arkansas where Ron majored in radio broadcasting, and they both pursued their love of music. Ron played banjo and violin, and they both played guitar and sang.
After their studies Ron and Ruth moved to Prince Albert where Tim and Jim were born. In June 1958 they started their work as missionaries among the Inuit at Maguse River NWT. Ruth’s skills as a nurse were an important part of their ministry, as were her musical abilities.
About the time that the mission became part of the Christian and Missionary Alliance, Ron and Ruth’s missionary activities came to an abrupt end in June 1962 when Ron, as the pilot and sole occupant of a small single engine aircraft, was killed in a crash on the shores of Hudson Bay.
Ruth and her sons lived in Melfort for a few years with her sister Mae and family, then in Prince Albert where Ruth worked for twenty years at the Community Clinic. Those years stand as a tribute to her strength and courage as a single parent.
Ruth faithfully cultivated her father’s habit of a daily time of prayer and Bible reading in order to maintain a healthy relationship with God. Every evening in Ruth’s home one would hear gospel radio programs such as Back to the Bible and the Haven of Rest.
Although Ruth was not uninterested in re-marriage, she was patient for her Lord to provide a suitable partner. He did deliver, by the letter carrier himself, a man of kindred spirits and strong Christian faith, Arnold Dubray. Ruth and Arnold were married in 1976. Arnold and the newly formed family were a blessing to Ruth when son Jim died in a small plane crash in 1978.
Ruth and Arnold enjoyed 38 years together, and during those years they were a much cherished encouragement and support to their children as each found partners, married, established homes and raised their families. Ruth and Arnold continued living in Prince Albert for many years after their retirement, both active in the Church of the Nazarene, and Ruth in Christian Women’s Club. As Ruth’s memory challenges became apparent, they moved to Saskatoon in 2009 to be closer to their children. After Arnold passed away in 2014, Ruth moved to the Mennonite Nursing Home in Rosthern.
Ruth’s prevailing passion throughout her life was her faith in Jesus Christ, and the belief that one day she would be reunited with loved ones that had gone before her.
A Memorial Service will be held Monday, May 9, 2016 at 2:30 P.M. at Melfort Evangelical Covenant Church, corner of Park Ave. and Shadd Drive, Melfort, SK. Prior to the memorial service, interment will be held at 1:00 P.M. at Star City Cemetery. Arrangements are in care of Funk’s Funeral Home, Rosthern, SK
Octave Fiddler
October 23, 1934 – August 12, 2015
The death of Octave Raymond Fiddler occurred on August 12, 2015 at the Rosthern Hospital. He is survived by his children: Debbie Acorn (Wayne), Brian Fiddler, Karen Theoret (Eugene), Jackie Gaudet (Emile), Barry Fiddler (Kim), Donna Tessier (Leonard); 12 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren; one sister Blanche Slater and numerous in-laws. He was predeceased by his: wife Fern Fiddler; parents Octave Sr. & Lucy Fiddler; sister Marge St. Germain (Parenteau); son-in-law Ken Parenteau; grandson Trevor Parenteau; and granddaughter Miranda Parenteau, and numerous in-laws. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Rev. Phinh Do on Monday, August 17, 2015 at 11:00 A.M. at St. Odilon Roman Catholic Church, Rosthern, SK. Interment will take place at Batoche Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to Funk’s Funeral Home, Rosthern, SK
George Sawatzky
August 16, 1923 – August 11, 2015
The death of George G. Sawatzky, age 91 years formerly of Hague, SK occurred on August 11, 2015 at the Mennonite Nursing Home, Rosthern, SK. He is survived by three children: Verna (Peter) Ens; Gerald (Margaret) Sawatzky; Mary Anne Sawatzky; 9 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren; siblings, Helen, Marie, Pete, Nettie, Tina, John, Dick, Alma. He was predeceased by his wife, Helen Sawatzky; infant daughter Darlene; parents, Gerhard and Maria; brother Jacob (Tina); and infant brother Frank. The Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, August 15, 2015 at 11:00 A.M. at the Grace Mennonite Church, Neuanlage, SK with Pastor Henry Janzen officiating. Interment will take place in Neuanlage Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to Funk’s Funeral Home, Rosthern, SK
John Penner
November 8, 1930 – August 1, 2015
John Penner was born on November 8, 1930 to Jacob J. and Maria (Petkau) Penner, the youngest of his five siblings. He was resident at the Home for the Aged for 20 years. Declining health made a move necessary to the Rosthern Mennonite Nursing Home for 6 months. He passed away on Saturday, August 1, 2015. He was predeceased by his parents, all his siblings and a niece. He is survived by 7 nephews and 11 nieces who were his “special family” as well as two sisters-in-law. The Funeral Service will be held Wednesday, August 5, 2015 at 2:00 P.M. at Funk’s Funeral Chapel, Rosthern, SK, with Norman Penner officiating. (306-232-5245). Interment will take place at Rosthern Cemetery.
Jacob G. Sawatzky
August 2, 1925 – July 30, 2015
Our loving Dad and Grandpa passed away on July 30, 2015, and entered Heaven for which he longed. He is survived by his children; 4 sons, Harvey (Jan) Sawatzky, Wesley (Kathy) Sawatzky, Lester (Colette) Sawatzky, Conrad (Shannon) Sawatzky; 2 daughters, Joyce (Marvin) Klassen, Evelyn (Darrell) Thoms; siblings, Helen, George, Marie, Pete, Nettie, Tina, John, Dick, Alma; 21 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren. He was predeceased by his loving wife Tina, five and a half weeks ago; infant daughter Dorothy, son Elmer, daughter-in-law Gladys, parents Gerhard and Maria Sawatzky, and infant brother Frank. He will be dearly missed by family, relatives, and friends. The Funeral Service will be held at Neuanlage Grace Mennonite Church at 2:00 P.M. on Tuesday, August 4, 2015 with Norm Penner and Howard Peters officiating. Interment will take place in Hague (Old) Cemetery. Arrangements are in care of Funk’s Funeral Home, Rosthern, SK. The family thanks the Rosthern doctors, nurses, and staff for the incredible care that Dad received at the Rosthern Hospital.
