OBITUARIES

Wanda Jean Gawel

On Monday, May 8, 2000, Wanda Jean Gawel, late of Weyburn, passed away at Regina General Hospital at the age of 79 years. Wanda was predeceased by her parents, John and Katherine Kopec; her husband, Harry; two sons: Robert and Kenneth; and one brother, Frank Kopec. Wanda will be sadly missed by her three children: one daughter, Patricia (Darwin) Hoimyr of Carlyle; two sons: Ronald Gawel and Jacob (Pearl) Gawel, both of Cedoux; and one daughter-in-law, Barbara Gawel of Portage La Prairie, MB; 12 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren; grandchildren: Travis Hoimyr and Melissa Hoimyr, both of Carlyle; Kelly (Becky) Gawel of Cedoux; Desiree Gawel of Yorkton; Cyndi (Ken) Toews and children Emily and Joel of Portage La Prairie, MB; Jennifer (Phil Lozinski) of Winnipeg, MB; Krista (David) Kuarsing and son Joshua of Winnipeg; Shelley (Dean) Paslawski and sons: Tyler and Tanner of Choiceland, SK; David Gawel of Kipling; Jason Gawel and daughter Kianna of Yellow Grass; Darren Gawel of Cedoux; Darla Gawel (David Kolisnek) and children Rylan and Shaelyssa of White Fox, SK; two brothers: Leo (Rose) Kopec of Weyburn; and Stanley (Ruth) Kopec of Vancouver, BC; two sisters: Edna Wallace of Red Deer, AB and Kay McLellan of New Westminster, BC; one brother-in-law Henry (Ruth) Gawel of Montello, Wisc.; as well as several nieces and nephews. Wanda was born November 4, 1920 on the family homestead near Cedoux, the oldest of six children born to John and Katherine Kopec. She attended school in Cedoux, later working as a waitress in Yellow Grass for a time. On February 8, 1941 she married Harry Gawel. They farmed in the Cedoux area raising five children. They continued to farm until Harry's passing in 1982. Wanda then purchased a home in Weyburn where she resided until her passing. In Weyburn, Wanda was very fortunate in having good neighbors live next to her. Wanda enjoyed doing embroidery in her younger years. She enjoyed the farm, expecially horses. She loved gardening and growing flowers, entertaining family and friends, playing cards, growing house plants, watching the Price is Right and playing bingo. Prayers were said on Thursday, May 11 at Fletcher Funeral Chapel, Weyburn, with Mary Ann Seitz as Lay Presider. Funeral service was held Friday, May 12 at 11:00 a.m. from Fletcher Funeral Chapel with Father Francis Hengen as Celebrant. Active pallbearers were grandsons: David Gawel, Jason Gawel, Darren Gawel, Kelly Gawel, Travis Hoimyr and Ken Toews. Interment took place at the Cedoux Community Cemetery. For friends so wishing, donations may be made in Wanda's memory to the Cedoux Community Cemetery, Box 1299, Weyburn, Sask. S4H 3J9. We the family of Wanda Gawel would like to extend sincere thanks to Dr. Allan Fong and the nursing staff in ER and the ICU at Weyburn General Hospital as well as Dr. Moodily at Regina General Hospital, to family and friends and neighbors for their comforting support and expressions of sympathy, for cards, food, flowers sent, phone calls and donations given in her memory. A special thank you to Evelyn and Norman Gates for being such caring and observant neighbors to our mother. Your concern and action enabled us to be with our mother in her final hours and say goodbye. Thank you to Father Hengen for his comforting words, to Mary Ann Seitz for presiding at prayers and reading the eulogy, to the choir and to St. Mary's Altar Society for providing the lunch, and to the pallbearers. Thank you to Fletcher Funeral Chapels for your thoughtfulness and professional service and to the participants of the Cedoux Cemetery Committee for all your assistance. With appreciation, Ron, Jack, Pat and families. Arrangements were entrusted to Fletcher Funeral Chapels Ltd., Weyburn.

Audrey Von Sprecken

Audrey Von Sprecken, late of Fillmore, was released from her courageous battle with cancer into the loving arms of her Lord and Saviour. Audrey passed away peacefully at Fillmore Health Center on Thursday, May 11, 2000 at the age of 76 years. Predeceased by her husband, John in October 1996; parents Rudy and Harry Clay; four brothers: Emery, Herbert, Russell and Gerald and one sister, Esther Hart. Audrey (nee Clay) was born on the family farm at Fillmore on September 3, 1923. Audrey attended Garnet school, Creelman school and later business school in Weyburn. On June 1, 1943, Audrey married John Von Sprecken of Innes, SK. They farmed ten miles south of Fillmore where they raised three children and enjoyed many wonderful years together. Audrey thrived on her family and loved gardening and yard work. Our memories will always go back to the many holiday gatherings where Audrey prepared feasts that were always a labour of love. In 1976 they retired to Fillmore where they renovated her parents' home. Their yard was picturesque with flower and vegetable gardens blooming all summer and snow sculptures during the winter. They had a cottage at White Bear Lake where they spent many summers enjoying the outdoors. They enjoyed their frequent trips to Edmonton to see their children and grandchildren, as well as traveling to the Maritimes, British Columbia, Hawaii and trips to the States. However, to them there was no place like home, where canning, prepared by loving hands, lined the shelves and the smell of homemade bread greeted you at the door. Audrey will always be remembered as a devoted and caring mother and grandmother. She is lovingly remembered by her three children: Judy (Norm) Riddell of Carlyle; Don (Liz) Von Sprecken of Fillmore; and Gary (Irene) Von Sprecken of Edmonton, AB; her nine grandchildren: Sheri (Jeff) Summers of Athabasca, AB; Curtis Von Sprecken of Kenosee Lake; Cindy (Greg) Burrows of Wellington, New Zealand; Derek (Lydia) Riddell of Calgary, AB; Jody (Jeff) Sterzuk of Regina; Jared (Tammie) Riddell of Calgary; Jill, Tessa, Megan Von Sprecken of Edmonton; and her seven great grandchildren: Michaele, Mitchell and Mathew Summers; Jonathan and Jessica Riddell; Taylor and Lauryn Sterzuk. Audrey is also survived by one brother, Henry Clay of Vancouver, BC; two special nephews: Ron Wilson of Prince Albert; and Sidney Wilson of Duncan, BC; one brother-in-law, Hugo Sprecken of Griffin; and sisters-in-law: Hertha Klapstein of Edmonton, and Florence Sprecken of Weyburn. At Audrey's request, cremation, with a private family service was held Monday, May 15 at 11:00 a.m. from Hastings-Dionne Funeral Home, Weyburn, with Marilyn Anderson Corkum officiating. Private family interment will follow at a later date. In memory of Audrey, donations may be made to Fillmore Union Health Centre, Fillmore, Sask. Arrangements were in care of Hastings-Dionne Funeral Home Inc., Weyburn.

Althea Violet Becker

On Friday, May 12, 2000, Althea Violet Becker, late of Weyburn, passed away at the Weyburn General Hospital at the age of 76 years. Predeceased by her parents, Harry and Lavina Hemphill; her husband, George Becker; her son, Douglas Becker; brother Harry Hemphill; sister Jean; sister-in-law Marion; brother-in-law Alex; and parents-in-law, Clifton and Edith Becker. Althea is survived by her granddaughter, Marcie and her daughter-in-law, Marlene of Weyburn; three brothers: Norman (Jean), George (Elva) and Harvey; three sisters: Colleen (Elvin), Edna (Charles) and Gertie; sister-in-law, Joyce; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Althea Violet Becker was born January 16, 1924 on the family farm south of Weyburn. Moving to Weyburn in 1929, she attended Assiniboia School and the Weyburn Collegiate. She worked at the mental hospital in Weyburn as a psych nurse for one and a half years, then at Canada Safeway until July 1945 when she married George Becker of the South Sask. Regiment, having returned from five years army service overseas. They had met as teenagers at Carlyle Lake and corresponded during the war. They were married in Knox Presbyterian Church in Weyburn on July 11, 1945. She and George had one son, Douglas born May 12, 1949 and one very special granddaughter, Marcie, who was the joy of her life, born September 23, 1985. Douglas passed away January 1, 2000. Althea was a member of Knox Presbyterian Church since 1944 and taught Sunday School for 28 years, and was the leader of the Lily Simpson Mission Band for children of the church for many years. She belonged to the Daughters of the Kirk as well as the ladies Orange Benevolent Assoc. of British America. Her life was her family. She lived in Weyburn all her life, spending summers at their cottage at Carlyle Lake with George until he passed away June 24, 1988. Funeral service was held Tuesday, May 16 at 2:00 p.m. from Fletcher Funeral Chapel, Weyburn, with Rev. John Ferrier officiating. Interment followed in Hillcrest Cemetery, Weyburn. The active pallbearers were: Clarence Goebel, Bryan Kwochka, Jay Robins, Larry Eskdale, Elwood Whitrow and Garry Holtz. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to the Canadian Cancer Society Research Division. Arrange-ments were entrusted to Fletcher Funeral Chapels Ltd., Weyburn.

William (Bill) Brown

On Thursday, May 11, 2000, Bill Brown, late of Fillmore, passed away at the Fillmore Health Centre at the age of 93 years. Predeceased by his parents, William and Minnie Brown; two brothers: Art Brown and Andy Brown; two sisters-in-law: Maggie Brown and Grace Brown; one nephew, Stan Greig. Bill is survived by one niece, Vi Greig of Creelman; two great nephews: Don (Darlene) Greig of Fillmore; and Jim (Pat) Greig of Weyburn; one great niece, Laurie (Cory) Sivertson of Victoria, BC; one great great nephew, Tyson Greig; five great great nieces: Lisa Greig, Ginene, Jennifer, Dailene Sivertson and Amanda Goheen. William Brown was born February 2, 1907 at McLean, SK. He moved from Qu'Appelle when he was seven weeks old along with his parents and two brothers, Arthur and Andy, to the Freewill District. He attended Freewill School until Grade 8. Bill lived on a farm all his life. He farmed with Art and Andy until he purchased his own farm in the Crieff District. He was a very witty person and had some good 'one liners' that he often used on friends and family. Bill kept busy with farming, doing carpentry work, gardening, growing flowers. He enjoyed playing cards, especially crib and watching sports on TV like baseball and hockey. He loved animals and always had dogs and cats. He always decorated his house on the outside with lights at Christmas time and won prizes for his displays. He was president of Freewill Snow Plow Club for many years, president of Fillmore Co-op, helped with the formation of and acted as president and secretary of Fillmore Drop In Centre where he called bingo for many years. He belonged to the Huronville United Church. In the 70's he moved to Fillmore after retiring from farming, but was busier than ever with working in the lumber yard, doing carpentry work and ploughing gardens and blowing out everyone's driveway in the winter. He was Greyhound bus ticket agent for 20 years and became friends with all the drivers who would always stop at least ten minutes for a cigarette or to get the latest ball or hockey scores whether they were behind schedule or not. At the age of 90 years, he sold his house and moved to Fillmore Health Center. He enjoyed his birthday parties held at the Health Centre, and the entertainment, especially the 'Jug Band'. Funeral service was held Monday, May 15 at 2:00 p.m. from Grace United Church, Fillmore, with Rev. Heather Lea officiating. Interment followed in Fillmore cemetery. All those in attendance were considered to be honorary pallbearers. The active pallbearers were: Larry Wiggins, Walter Nixon, Ivan Beare, Les Johnston, Tyson Greig and Jim Greig. Those wishing to express their sympathy may donate in Bill's memory to the Fillmore Health Centre or to Fillmore Drop In Centre. Arrangements were in care of Hastings-Dionne Funeral Home Inc., Weyburn.

Linda Rae Struthers

On Thursday, May 4, 2000, Linda Rae Struthers, late of Vancouver, BC and formerly of Weyburn, passed away at Vancouver General Hospital at the age of 46 years. Predeceased by her father, Stuart Ray Struthers; grandparents: Mary Ann and Hugh Drolet and Marion and Ralph Struthers; step grandparents, Gladys (Pederson) and Rueben Olson; aunt Eileen Struthers; uncles: Leonard Drolet and Dugene Brown. Linda is survived by her mother and stepfather, Beth and Russell Olson of Weyburn; her sisters and brother: Debbie Struthers, Doug (Nadine) Struthers, Nancy (Myles) Keyowski and Lisa (Greg) Peters; nephew and niece: Daniel Peters and Olivia Keyowski; as well as numerous aunts, uncles and cousins; and the staff of Easter Seal House, Vancouver, and her many friends in Vancouver. Linda was born April 15, 1954 in Regina. She received all her education in Weyburn. She worked one year at Souris Valley in Weyburn, then took nursing at Kelsey in Saskatoon. She wrote her R.N. and nursed in Regina, Vancouver, Los Angeles and Toronto. Linda was involved in drama and worked behind the scenes while in school at the Weyburn Comp and while in Vancouver and Toronto and was involved with the Trikkie club, which was a fun group in Vancouver. She enjoyed sewing and doing crafts. Family was very important to Linda and she was especially excited over the birth of her dear nephew Daniel and niece Olivia. She had very special feelings for the Lions Easter House where she worked the last four years. They became her family away from home. A memorial service was held at Easter Seal House in Vancouver on May 7 with many friends participating. A lily was planted there in her honor. Memorial service was held Saturday, May 20 at 1:00 p.m. from Knox Presbyterian Church, Weyburn, with Rev. John Ferrier officiating. Interment followed in Hillcrest Cemetery, Weyburn. All those in attendance were considered to be honorary pallbearers. For friends so wishing, donations may be made in her memory to the Easter Seal House, 3981 Oak Street, Vancouver, BC or to the Canadian Cancer Society. Arrangements were entrusted to Fletcher Funeral Chapels Ltd., Weyburn.

Mary Ellen Jane (Timmons) Sawyer

Mary Ellen Jane (Timmons) Sawyer passed away on Monday, January 17, 2000 at the age of 91 years. She was born on the farm in the Oakley District near Alida, SK the youngest of ten children. Mary was predeceased by her husband Harvey in 1987, her parents Thomas and Mary (Polly) Timmons, her six sisters and three brothers. She is survived by two sons Ross (Nora) of Innisfail, AB; Barry (Wilma) of Bon Accord, AB; and three daughters Sheila (Lloyd) Hall of Fillmore; Della (Derwyn) Reed of Edmonton; AB; and Edna (Gordon) Gessell of Devon, AB. She is also survived by 16 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren, two brothers-in-law, seven sisters-in-law, and several nephews and nieces. Harvey and Mary farmed in the Glen Ewen district for many years before retiring to Oxbow. They then moved to Fillmore in 1981 to be closer to their daughter, Sheila. At the time of her death, Mary was a resident of the Fillmore Health Center. Mary enjoyed handiwork and crafts all of her life and especially enjoyed music. She was well known for her excellent knitting and crocheting. She loved to have visitors drop in and in her later years especially looked forward to visits from her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Roy Smiley

Roy was born February 7, 1929 at Arcola, SK. He passed away on May 13, 2000 at the Weyburn General Hospital. He was the eldest child of Gordon and Ruby Smiley of Arcola. In 1952 he met and married Leona Sanheim and to this union they had three children. Roy was predeceased by his parents, Gordon and Ruby Smiley and a sister, Mildred. He is survived by his wife Leona of 48 years; daughters: Linda (Wally Kaminski) of Regina; June (Wes Boychuk) of Regina; son, Larry (Roxy) of Dollard, SK; granddaughters: Toni Kaminski, Allyson and Orisha Boychuk, Phylisia and Kellee Smiley, Misty (Dave); grandson Kris (Bobbie); great granddaughter, Jordan and great grandsons, Cobyn and Kyle; two brothers: Bob (Joy) Smiley of Sarnia, ON and Joe (Betty) Smiley of Whitewood; two sisters: Donna (Don) Van Beselaere of Regina; and Shirley (Joe) Schewaga of Humboldt; many nieces, nephews and cousins. Funeral service was held at Fletcher Funeral Chapel, Weyburn, with Rev. Julie Collings officiating. Pallbearers were: Robert Sanheim, Robert Stender, Wayne Stender, Bev Culbertson, Kelly Van de Sype and Walter Tytlandsvik. Interment followed in Hillcrest Cemetery, Weyburn. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Palliative Care Unit at the Weyburn General Hospital, in his memory. Arrangements were entrusted to Fletcher Funeral Chapels Ltd., Weyburn.

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