OBITUARIES

Blanche Henderson

Blanche Henderson (nee Claffey) passed away Wednesday, May 31, 2000 at the Pasqua Hospital in Regina, at the age of 88 years. Predeceased by her husband, Lance in 1982; her parents John and Nellie Claffey; four brothers: Neal, Vernon, Arva and Bruce; six sisters Nellie, Julia, Frances, Nora, Esther and Grace. Blanche will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her two sons: Winston (Noreen) Henderson of Regina; Brad (Peggy) Henderson of Weyburn; three grandchildren: Carla Henderson of Regina; Mason and Marc Henderson of Weyburn; special daughter, Jennifer (Ron) Dunham of Red Deer, AB; two sisters: Inez Hendriks of Regina, and Mary Baker of White Rock, BC; numerous sisters-in-law, brother-in-law, nieces and nephews. Blanche was a very devoted and loving wife and mother. For years she was an active member of the Grace United Church, spending numerous fulfilling hours working in the church library and delivering books to the nursing homes. A private family funeral service was held on Saturday, June 3, with Rev. Bill Corkum officiating. Interment followed in Green Acres Memorial Gardens. For friends so wishing, donations may be made to the Children's Wish Foundation. Arrangements were entrusted to Fletcher Funeral Chapels Ltd., Weyburn.

Mary Drefko

In loving memory of Mary Drefko, August 28, 1902 to June 5, 2000. Mary Drefko immigrated to Canada April 24, 1909 with her father, Oleksa, mother Natalka (Baharie) Nenka, and step sister Minnie Dedora. The family took residence at Woodridge, MB. Mary was the eldest sibling of seven boys and five girls. Mary was married to Peter Drefko on October 19, 1919 and resided at Drefko Lake, near Lake Alma, SK. They had ten children before moving to the Maxim area in 1935 and five more children were born at the Lee Smith property where they farmed grain, stock and fowl. Predeceased by her husband, Peter; son Paul; granddaughters, Roberta and Margaret Drefko; great granddaughter, Darcy Drefko; grandsons, Richard and Edward Kurek; granddaughter Julianna Kurek; grandsons George and William Ostafichuk; granddaughters Janie, Lily and Beverly Ostafichuk; great granddaughter Elaina Quesnell; daughter-in-law, Sherle Drefko; brothers, Peter, Paul, Tony, Steve, Mike and twin brother, John and Dimietro; step sister Minnie; sisters, Katherine, Barbara and Annie. She leaves to mourn her children, John and Rose of Windsor, ON; Anthony of Edmonton, AB; Sophie of Weyburn; William of Creston, BC; Samuel of Kamloops, BC; Joseph of Honolulu, Hawaii; Annie of Oshawa, ON; Johana of Calgary, AB; Elisabeth of Weyburn; Helen of Oakville, ON; Michael of Calgary, AB; Olga of Vancouver, BC; Margaret of Ottawa; grandchildren, great grandchildren, great great granchildren; sister, Nettie; nephews, nieces, great nephews and nieces, great, great nieces and nephews, cousins and friends. She will be very dearly missed. Service was held at Holy Name Church, Radville, on Monday, June 12.

Ruth Leone O'Donnell

It is with great sadness that the family of Ruth O'Donnell announce her passing. Surrounded by her loving family Ruth passed away peacefully Monday, June 5, 2000, following a brief illness. Born February 19, 1920, Ruth was predeceased by her loving husband, Claire in 1981; her parents, Matt (1958) and Edna (1979) Langedahl. She will be sadly missed and forever remembered by her family: two sons, Tom (Margaret), Andy (Mavis); and one daughter, Kathleen (Ken) Jacques; six grandchildren: Debbie (Pat), Kim (Faron), Tanya, Shawn, Darla and Stacey (Al); three great grandchildren: Megan, Katelyn and Madison; one brother, Bob (Kay) Langedahl, Camrose, AB; two sisters, Laurine Macovichuk, Winnipeg; Leatrice Daae, Estevan; one brother-in-law, Andrew O'Donnell, Crystal Lake, Illinois; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Ruth was born to Matt and Edna Langedahl and received her schooling at Oungre, SK. On December 3, 1940 she married Claire O'Donnell. They lived and farmed on the O'Donnell homestead where they raised three children. In 1962 they moved to Weyburn, operating a motel/restaurant/bowling alley, while continuing to farm. In 1967 Ruth went to work at the Weyburn Nursing Home and worked there until 1977, after which Claire and Ruth enjoyed their winter holidays in Texas, with her sister and husband, John and Laurine Macovichuk. Ruth was very involved in all farming activities and still found some time to grow large vegetable and flower gardens. Ruth was very active with her church work, both in Hamar and Zion Lutheran. She became a proficient 10 pin bowler and represented Saskatchewan in the Canadian Championship in Hamilton, ON, placing second. Later she took up the sport of golf and became an avid golfer. Ruth enjoyed knitting and crocheting and needlework, which is proudly displayed in the homes of all her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Funeral service was held on Friday, June 9 at 2:00 p.m. at Zion Lutheran Church, Weyburn, with Pastor Ronald Bestvater officiating. Interment was in Hillcrest Cemetery. Those wishing may donate in Ruth's memory to Hamar Lutheran Church, Bromhead, SK or Zion Lutheran Church, Weyburn. Arrangements in care of Paragon Funeral Services.

Annie Marie Helen LaValley

Annie Marie Helen LaValley, late of Stoughton, passed away after a short, but courageous battle with cancer, at the age of 67. Predeceased by her first husband, Cyrus James Loomis in 1981 and her parents, Vincent Sichkey and Marie Theiven. Survived by her second husband, Alfred LaValley of Stoughton; her two sons, Donald Borschowa and his daughter, Deanna, of New Westminster, BC; Daren Loomis and his children, Tiffany, Dereck, Donald, Amber-Lyn and Misty-Dawn of Medicine Hat, AB; her two daughters, Carol (Larry) Nelson and their children, Jonathan and Jennifer of Medicine Hat; Gail (Cameron) Weber and their children, Julie, Anson and Marvin of Stoughton; one brother, Ernest Robertson (Millie), Edmonton, AB; two sisters, Irene Pastachak of Bienfait; and Yvonne Symes of Griffin; also numerous nieces and nephews. Annie was born at McLennan, AB on April 11, 1933. She was raised on a farm near Griffin. She attended the Dunwrith School with her brother Ernie and two sisters, Irene and Yvonne, until grade eight, at which time she quit school to help on the family farm. A memorial service was held on Monday, June 5 at 2:00 p.m. at the Grace United Church in Stoughton. Pastor Robert Fenn officiated. Rev. Jann Sampson assisted. Interment followed in Stoughton Cemetery. For friends so wishing, in Annie's memory, donations can be made to St. Joseph's Hospital Palliative Care, or the Canadian Cancer Society.

Bill Griffiths

On Thursday, June 1, 2000, Bill Griffiths, late of Weyburn, and formerly of Colfax, passed away at the Regina Pasqua Hospital, at the age of 72 years. Predeceased by his parents, Herbert and Fern Griffiths; and by his father-in-law, Frank Reitze. Bill is survived by his loving wife, Judy Griffiths of Weyburn; two step-daughters: Tammy Weiss (Kevin) Milne of Regina, and Ammie Weiss of Weyburn; mother-in-law, Rose Reitze of Weyburn; one brother-in-law, Don (Janet) Reitze of Red Deer, AB; his uncle, Henry Reitze of Medicine Hat, AB; as well as several cousins. Bill was born January 23, 1928 in Regina, the only son of Herbert and Fern Griffiths. He was raised in Colfax in a nurturing and loving environment, and enjoyed spending holidays with his cousins in Benson and Stoughton. He took his schooling up to grade 12 at Colfax, then at the University of Regina studying Arts and Science for one year, then on to the University of Saskatoon where he studied Commerce. Bill worked in the family general store and post office in Colfax, then took over from his father until 1994. His family ran this business from 1924 to 1994. Bill was secretary/treasurer for Colfax Community Hall, the curling club and many other organizations over the years. He enjoyed children and drove the school bus. Bill also enjoyed sports - curling, golf, football and baseball. He pitched for the Colfax Cardinals and was a baseball coach for teenage boys for many years. He travelled to Switzerland for the World's Curling Championships, and toured Great Britain and Europe, where he visited relatives. Music was a big part of Bill's life. He played the violin and piano, and enjoyed singing. He belonged to the United Church all his life and was on the Board at Colfax United Church. He also sang in the choir throughout the years. He loved to paint and sketch, and painted many scenes of Colfax, which are treasured by his family and friends. He also read extensively. He enjoyed travelling the U.S and Canada with his Uncle Gordon. On April 11, 1998 Bill married Judy at Grace United Church, Weyburn. Bill was kind, gentle, patient and modest, honest and caring. He touched many people's lives and will be sadly missed. A memorial service was held on Tuesday, June 6, at 2:00 p.m. from Grace United Church, Weyburn, with Bill Corkum and Marilyn Anderson Corkum officiating ministers. For friends so wishing, donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society Leukemia Research Fund of Canada, Edmonton Branch, c/o Brooks, 10659-7th Street, Edmonton, AB, T6A 2Y6. Arrangements were entrusted to Fletcher Funeral Chapels Ltd., Weyburn.

Sophie Pederson

On Thursday, June 1, 2000, Sophie Pederson, late of Weyburn, passed away at Weyburn Special Care Home at the age of 89 years. Predeceased by her mother and father, Charles and Mary Tollefson; her husband, Palmer Pederson; son Earl Pederson; four brothers: Almer, Roy, Adolph and Ernest Tollefson. Sophie is survived by two sons: Ron Pederson of Weyburn and Les (Shirley) Pederson of Calgary; two daughters-in-law: Elaine Pederson of Saskatoon and Barbara Pederson of Ottawa; grandchildren: Gordon (Maureen) Pederson and their son, Connor, of Ottawa; Shelly Pederson of Ottawa; Brent Pederson of Saskatoon; Stacey Pederson of Kelowna; Scott (Shelly) Pederson and their son Ryan of Calgary; Brad (Allison) Pederson and their children: Tayler and Sara of Florida; one sister, Hilda (Roy) Coleman of Weyburn; two brothers: Melvin (Eva) Tollefson of Weyburn and Eddie (Bertha) Tollefson of Milestone; two brothers-in-law: Melvin Pederson of Iowa and Martin (Flossie) Pederson of Calgary; two sisters-in-law: Hazel (Frank) Kelley of Weyburn and Ethel Pederson of Seattle, Wa.; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, grand nieces and nephews. Sophie was the oldest of eight children, raised in a farming community during the early part of the 20th century. She assumed so many duties early in her life, necessitated by the realities of the time, that maturity was thrust upon her. She married Palmer Pederson, her childhood friend, during the most impossible circumstances, the depression, the drought, the impending outbreak of World War II. The character developed during these troubling times became the example, the motivation and the glue that kept a husband and three adventurous sons a family unit. Her love for family was always evident and unconditional, tempered by a strict code of moral, ethical and religious beliefs. In her community, Sophie was always available. She was active within her church, her friends knew when to call and family was always foremost. Sophie had many self taught talents. The most recognized was as a seamstress. She had committed customers throughout the region that depended on her ability to create and alter quality clothing. The work ethic so deeply instilled that she was working at her favorite job until she finally moved to a nursing home at age 85. Her early duties in life had not allowed much time for many sports or leisure activities, but when the opportunities finally were present Sophie became a curler of note, witnessed by the many trophies on her shelf. Until her gentle passing, Sophie's whole life was her love of family. She will be sadly missed and fondly remembered. Funeral service was held Monday, June 5 at 2:00 p.m. from Weyburn Community Free Methodist Church, Weyburn, with Pastor Keith Taylor officiating. Interment followed in Hillcrest Cemetery, Weyburn. A tribute was read by Eddie Tollefson, pianist, Joyce Rodine. The active pallbearers were: Allan, Norman, Ron, Mark, Grant and Tim Alexander. For friends so wishing, donations may be made in her memory to the Parkinson Foundation or to the Weyburn Free Methodist Church. Arrange-ments were entrusted to Fletcher Funeral Chapels Ltd., Weyburn.

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