Obituaries

Known as O.T. (overtime) by his trucker buddies, Niel passed at the age of 80. The youngest of four, Niel is of German-Scottish-Irish descent and grew up in Imperial SK.

Niel started his working life as a teenager bagging groceries at the local store. Next was managing the Admore Co-op in South Allan SK where he met Dorothy Jacek, from Allan SK, on a blind date. Next was a move to Regina SK where he worked as a taxi driver until he became a milkman for Co-op Creamery.

He and Dorothy, the woman of his dreams, married in 1968 and moved into a basement suite on Harvey Street in Regina. Working his way up at the Creamery, Niel became a semi-driver, fulfilling his career dream of doing what his father did. Not long after, the newlyweds bought a house in Uplands, in north Regina, where they raised four children on an endless supply of milk and ice cream on a stick. Niel also worked at a gas station and for J & T Trucking until he retired (reluctantly) at age 70.

Nee-Nee, as he was affectionately called by his mom and sister, is now eating kaluskies and homemade chocolate pie at the truck stop in the sky with his parents Fredrick and Vina Anhorn (nee Gullacher), daughter Carla, grandchildren Hudson and Syan, Jed Clampett and king of rock and roll Elvis Presley.

Niel dreamed from a wee lad to marry, raise a family, and provide for them. He often worked long hours to “to put food on the table for you kids” but made time for swimming, skating and Rider football games with them. He even let his young children cut and barrette his hair.

“I can’t afford it” was Niel’s signature response when it came to non-essential spending and was always good for a family chuckle. “Save your shillings” was his fatherly counsel.

When he wasn’t “fighting winter storms to get back home,” Niel enjoyed dancing, curling, barbecuing, watching wrestling with his son, going for tea and “shooting the breeze” with family, co-workers and neighbours.

Niel is survived by his wife Dorothy; children Stephanie, Tracie and Corey; son-in-law Quentin (Sarah); grandchildren Octavia, Solanio, Nikolas (Nicole) and Robyn (Charles); and great-grandchildren Ezra, Ivy-Lynne and Oliver.

Niel is also survived by his sibs: Evelyn, Willis and Harold; his wife’s sibs: Regina, Joseph, Richard, Dianna, Louise, John, Joan and Caroline; The Fonz; and numerous in-laws, nephews and nieces.

Niel admired his parents, was affectionate, playful, sensitive, had a good heart, loved to joke and laugh, and cried without apology. We will remember him for his characteristic sideburns, distinct vocabulary and the nicknames he concocted for friends and family.

Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, December 14, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Peace Parish, 425 Broad St. N., Regina SK. Live streaming may be viewed at https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=1QdxZgR2dY8. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Niel’s memory to your favourite charity.