Obituaries

Kenneth “Ken” passed away on July 13, 2023, the day after his 95th birthday. Ken lived independently until one year ago when he moved to Harbour Landing Village Memory Care, Regina, SK.

Ken was born on July 12, 1928 at his parent’s homestead north of Biggar, SK. The family relocated to Saskatoon in 1934. Ken attended King George School and Saskatoon Tech. He was always a hard worker, starting as a young boy delivering newspapers, then groceries on his bike. Only starting school at age 7, he was a bright student. He was recognized as “All Around Student” for his Gr. 8 graduating class. He belonged to the King George Athletic Club playing hockey (with a young Gordie Howe) and softball. Ken had a long stint with the Boy Scouts as a young lad, then a leader which he continued to do until in his early 20’s. Ken joined the Air Cadets while in high school, which included summer training at air force bases in Calgary and Prince Albert. He was always very proud that he learned to fly a Tiger Moth. Ken planned to go to university to study Architecture, but he was offered a drafting position at the Dominion Experimental Station in Swift Current while still in Gr. 12. He moved to Swift Current in 1947, where he met his great love, Doreen Tatton, and they were married in 1951. Ken began working for PFRA in 1950 and was transferred to Regina in 1955. The highlight of his career with PFRA was being part of the design team for the Gardiner Dam.

Ken enjoyed many hobbies in his life including golf, curling, gardening, camping with his young family, and especially hunting. He could fix or build just about anything, and if he didn’t know how, he researched it until he did. He was an avid reader and instilled that love in his children. Ken and Doreen were founding members of the Saskatchewan Amateur Field Trial Association where Ken enjoyed his passion for shooting dogs (English Pointers) and Tennessee Walking Horses. They traveled far and wide with dogs and horses in tow and made many friends all over North America who shared their love of field trials. Ken was an excellent horseman, which led to a retirement hobby of refurbishing old army saddles. He loved hunting season, walking miles with his dogs, often with his good friend Bob or his son Ken Jr.

Ken and Doreen enjoyed traveling in retirement until Doreen’s Alzheimer’s disease ended those adventures. Ken was a faithful, loving caregiver to Doreen at home for almost 15 years. He never complained and never asked for or would accept help. He was a testament to his commitment “in sickness and in health”.

He was a great Dad.

Ken was predeceased by the love of his life Doreen in 2010; his only son Ken Jr. in 2020; his parents Charlie and Ethel Girling; siblings Jack, Olive, Les and Chuck. He is survived by his daughters Karen (Dennis Puff), Donna, Beth (Ken Reynard); daughter-in-law Yun; grandchildren Shaun (Jen), Jackie (Justin), Megan (James), Daniel, Cameron, Mary-Beth and Mei; great-grandchildren Violet, James, Charlie, Louis and Thomas; also surviving are sisters-in-law Doreen Girling of Saskatoon and Dolores Tatton of Pawley’s Island, S.C., brother-in-law Al Kirschner of Saskatoon; Richard Foley; and many nieces, nephews and friends.

The family would like to extend sincere gratitude to the angels on the Palliative Care Unit, Regina Pasqua Hospital who held not only Ken but his daughters in their loving care for the last 4 days of his life, and to music therapist Melinda whose beautiful voice brought tears and comfort.

As per Ken’s wishes, Private Family Interment will be held at Riverside Memorial Park Cemetery, Regina, SK. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Regina Humane Society or the Palliative Care Unit at the Pasqua Hospital would be welcomed by the family.