OBITUARIES

Wilbur Hughes Smith

On Sunday, May 21, 2000, Wilbur Hughes Smith, late of Weyburn, passed away unexpectedly at the age of 87 years. Predeceased by his first wife, Elsie Massey Smith in 1955; second wife, Dorathy Gray Smith in 1998; his parents Clarence and Allie May Smith; brothers, Elgin and Emmett; sister and brother-in-law Llewellya and Tom Gallant; brother-in-law Bert Jefferies; father and mother-in-law Richard and Mary Annie (Polly) Massey; sister-in-law Merle Massey; father and mother-in-law Robert and Rosina Gray; brother-in-law Ken Gray; nephew Kenneth Gray. Wilbur is survived by his son, Emmett (Barb) Smith of Saskatoon Dr. Stacy Smith of Columbia, MD, Terrell Smith of Saskatoon and Susy Smith of Orem, UT; sisters: Meda (Jack) Gates of Red Deer and Syb Jefferies of Kelowna; step-children: Alison Calder (Warren) of Vancouver, Kevin (Chris) Calder of Calgary, Lorin Calder of Calgary; his in-laws: Ted Massey of Flin Flon, Gwen and Don Smith of Winnipeg, Nellie and Roy Roer of Swift Current and Dorothy Gray of Swift Current; nephew: Rod (Nancy) Gates of Winnipeg, Brian (Margot) Gates of Harrison Hot Springs, George Smith of Winnipeg, Brian Massey of Flin Flon, Conrad Krenn of Kelowna, Rae (Danelle) Roer of Prince George; nieces: Sheryl Gates of Red Deer, Joan (Neil) Fenton of Winnipeg Beach, Susan (John) Misko, Diane (Rick) Hayward, Lynn Book, Donna (Don) High, all of Winnipeg, Sandra Omland of Swift Current, Bonnie (Merle) Whitbread of Flin Flon, Shelby (Raymond) Trupish of Wetaskiwin and Audrey Coghill (John) of Lethbridge, who was like a daughter to him; as well as great nieces and nephews. Wilbur was born in Esterhazy, SK on August 4, 1912 and raised and educated in Mazenod. Later he moved to Endeavour where he met and married Elsie Massey. After Elsie's death in 1955, he married Dorathy (Dot) Gray, with whom he spent 41 years until her death in 1998. Wilbur lived in Weyburn for 60 years and although he moved to Saskatoon six months ago to live with his son Emmett and Emmett's wife, Barb, Weyburn was always home. After a variety of colourful work experiences in the dirty thirties he moved to Weyburn, where he became a Psychiatric Nurse at the Weyburn Provincial Hospital. He remained employed at the hospital until he retired as Director of Institutional Services in 1974. Wilbur was very sociable and loved people, animals, flowers, sports and traveling. In his earlier days he was a tremendous athlete who excelled as a baseball pitcher and was invited to professional training camps in the U.S. He was an outstanding curler and was a Past President of the Weyburn Curling Club. His athletic prowess extended beyond baseball and curling. His old friends tell us that he had never been beaten in a race and even in his 70's he was showing his grandchildren how to "skin-the-cat" on a high bar in one of Weyburn's community parks. He was awarded a life membership in the Elks, had many friends, and in his later years, was a familiar sight on his daily walks around town and visits to the coffee shop. Most of all, he loved his family and took great pride in their achievements. The sun rose and set on his grandchildren, Stacy, Terrell and Susy. He was a wonderful father, devoted husband, loving brother and grandfather and a true friend who will be lovingly remembered and greatly missed by his family, friends and little friend, Felix the Cat. We were fortunate to have had him in our lives. We will miss his whistle and cheery smile and will cherish his memory for eternity. He was a genuinely nice person who left us with a legacy of kindness, love, friendship and sharing. A memorial service was held Saturday, May 27 at 1:00 p.m. from Fletcher Funeral Chapel, Weyburn, with Rev. Lynda Harrison the officiating minister. Interment followed in Hillcrest Cemetery, Weyburn. In lieu of flowers, for friends so wishing, donations may be made in Wilbur's memory to the Canadian Diabetes Association or to the Canadian Cancer Society. Arrangements entrusted to Fletcher Funeral Chapels Ltd., Weyburn.

Lillian Marie (Garland) Keefe

On Tuesday, May 23, 2000, Lillian Marie (Garland) Keefe, late of Weyburn, passed away at Regina Pasqua Hospital, at the age of 77 years. Predeceased by her first husband, J.R. (Russ) Garland in 1985; her father and mother, Alfred and Constance Sorsdahl; sister, Alice Sweeney; brothers: Louis Sorsdahl, Wilfred Sorsdahl, Lloyd Sorsdahl and Arvid Sorsdahl; and a daughter, Laura Garland. Lillian leaves to mourn her husband, Lyle Keefe of Weyburn; her children: Connie (Lorne) Roberts of High Prairie, AB; Sandra (Toger) Odegaard of Edmonton; Judy (Neil) Holmes of Red Deer, AB; John (Jean) Garland of Regina; Penny (Lynn) Roberts of Grimshaw, AB; all of the Keefe Family; numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren; three brothers: Rodney (Margaret) Dalton, Ray (Edna) Sorsdahl and Dennis (Shirley) Sorsdahl; three sisters-in-law: Marilyn Sorsdahl, Winnie Sorsdahl and Kay Sorsdahl; as well as many nieces and nephews. Lillian Marie Sorsdahl was born July 21, 1922 to Alfred and Katie Sorsdahl of Midale. She attended school in Midale and worked as a telephone operator and enlisted in the Women's Auxiliary, Canadian Army Corps. In 1944 she met and married John Russell Garland of Weyburn. They spent ten years farming and moved to Weyburn when Russ began working at Canada Wire and Cable. Russ passed away in 1985. Lillian married Lyle Keefe of Weyburn in 1995 and spent the remainder of her life in Weyburn. Lil loved gardening, sewing, quilting, friends and family. A private family funeral service was held Monday, May 29 with Rev. Fred R. Albert officiating. Interment followed in Green Acres Memorial Gardens. For friends so wishing, donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or the Canadian Diabetes Association, in her memory. Arrangements were entrusted to Fletcher Funeral Chapels Ltd., Weyburn.

Frederick Mitchell Richardson

Frederick Mitchell Richardson, late of Regina and formerly of Stoughton passed away at the age of 83 years on May 7, 2000. He was predeceased by his father Herbert Walker Richardson, his mother Violet (nee Mitchell) Richardson and his brother Earl Richardson. He is survived by his loving wife, Mary (nee Chaloupka), his son Allan Richardson (Theresa), daughters, Carol (Don) Norman, Dianne Richardson and Judy (Darwyn) Peachey; his grandchildren, Craig and Cristy Norman, and Sean and Eric Richardson; his brother, Harry Richardson; by several nieces and nephews, extended family and friends. Fred farmed for several years. He retired in 1975 and moved the family home into Stoughton. He was devoted to his family and active in the community. He was an active member in the Stoughton United Church, he was an associate member of the Stoughton Legion and a member of the Stoughton Drop-In Centre. The funeral was held on Saturday, May 13 in the Stoughton United Church, with Rev. Jann Sampson officiating. Interment followed in the Stoughton Cemetery.

Harvey William Milford

Harvey William Milford of Olds, AB, formerly of Froude, SK passed away May 13, 2000 at the age of 66 in the Olds hospital after a brief illness. Harvey is survived by his loving mother Elizabeth of Carstairs, AB; brothers Murray (Jean), Grimshaw, AB; Delvin (Donna) of Innisfail, AB; Glenn (Debbie) of Saskatoon; sisters Gladys (Milo) Paulhus, Weyburn; Hazel Anderson, Carstairs, AB; Beth (Allan) Kautzman of Surrey, BC; Gail (Gordon) Hallick of Edmonton, AB; sister-in-law Betty of Sundre, AB; numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his father David Milford in 1979 and brother Lloyd in 1986. Funeral service was held Wednesday, May 17. Interment followed in Carstairs cemetery.

Lillian Furgason

Lillian Furgason of Calgary passed away on Saturday, May 27, 2000, at the age of 89 years. She will be sadly missed by her family: Janet (Norman) Frost, Jim (Marg), Delores (George Potter), Sharon (Jim) Trembecky; ten grandchildren; eight great grandchildren. Lillian is also survived by her four sisters and one brother. She was predeceased by her husband, Clifford, and her sister, Ruby. Funeral service was held at McInnis & Holloway's "Chapel of the Bells", Calgary, AB, on Wednesday, May 31 at 10:00 a.m. To e-mail expressions of sympathy: condolences@mcinnisandholloway.com. Subject heading: Lillian Furgason. In living memory of Lillian Furgason, a tree will be planted at Nose Creek Valley by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes "Chapel of the Bells," 2720 Centre Street North, Calgary, AB.

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