Obituaries

Gerald, (fondly and proudly nicknamed Moose), late of Milestone, SK, stepped into his sweet chariot surrounded by family at the Pasqua Hospital, Regina, SK at the age of 84 years.

He lived almost his entire life on the farm his grandparents started in 1918. Friends and family know they would have great storytelling from his adventures, he was always surrounded by books and newspapers in his recliner or in his shop with tools and machines needing fixing, painting or improving for sale, always something he found at auction or brought over by a friend in need. He could easily fix or invent a piece of machinery for farming or trucking and was always thinking about mechanical challenges. He was well known for clearing roads in the winter or spring rains, travelled deep into the U.S.A. and across Canada to haul feed or custom combine. He could not resist a good joke, fresh buckwheat honey, rhubarb pie season and peanut butter- pickle sandwiches. One was well-advised to guard their dessert when sitting near him if he told you to look behind you at a purported rabbit. Always proud of his fast turnarounds to get back home to his family or to make that extra haul to pay the bills he wanted to be more present with his young and expanding family, so he bought the farm from his parents. It was quickly bustling with six children and the lively abundance of animals, gardens, crops, family ballgames, gatherings with siblings, cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. Gerald was not shy to try new crops and techniques, applying methods he would see in his journeys, talking to truckers and his wide array of relations, friendships, coffee shops and newspapers.

Gerald loved to read and was devoted to Louis L’Amour books. He was known to have read and researched several Acts and could quote and apply legal clauses when pressed. He enjoyed his spiritual side as well and from that he had a reputation of honesty and genuine care, concern and support for his fellow man, without hesitation he was ready to offer his best when he could. His entire being came to life when children and animals were around, and they adored him equally. Horses, dogs, kittens and livestock all responded to his care and attention and, over the last two years, his top cat, Spook, became his constant companion and sidekick.

Gerald was predeceased by his father Charles and his mother Janet; siblings Fern (Joe), Francis (Rene), Lawrence, Maxine and Wayne. He is survived by his sister Cleone; his wife Carol Arneson; his children from his first marriage to Joy-Anne (nee O’Byrne) - Russell (Sheila) of Victoria, B.C., Sherry (Michael) of Calgary, AB, Sheila (Mike) of Regina, SK, Leona (Jason) of Calgary, AB, Glenn (Jill) of Cloverdale B.C., Christine (Paul) of Kimberly, B.C.; grandchildren Rachel (Colin), Kaeré, Derek (Leslie), Gary, Ally (Taylor), Sam, Emilia, Ethan, Grace, Athena, Lela, Kai, Sydney, Michael, JP; great-grandchildren Kent, Lily, Jayden, Blake, Julia, Ella, Riley; in-laws Denis and Judy; numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

Stepchildren Terry (Kathy), Trevor (Lori), Jeff (Crystal), Sheri (Danny); step grandchildren Aleisha, Hayley, Kirk, Amanda, Colin (Chaylin), Mackenzie (Andrew), Michelle, Brooke (Andy), Brianna, Sabrina, Journey, Austin; step great-grandchildren Nikita, Gracelyn, Oliver, Kaisley, Kayden, Austyn, Easton, Cypress, Hudson, Skyler, Bentley, Levy, Roman, Clementine.

The family welcomes you to join them in the Funeral Mass for Gerald on Friday, January 5, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. in St. Augustine Roman Catholic Church, Wilcox, SK. The family wishes to express a sincere thank you to the Pasqua Hospital Staff for their care given to Gerald. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked for donations to be made to the Canadian Cancer Society.

“Eventually everything connects”