Stan Bonnett, lifetime farmer from the Palmer district, passed away peacefully on January 6, 2014 at Providence Place care home, Moose Jaw at 91 years of age. Born on the family farm north of Palmer in 1922, the 8th of 10 siblings. They learned to expect another baby was coming when Mrs. Smith came to spend the night. He attended Flaxton school and then began farming with his older brother Harry. Harry enjoyed the cattle and Stan liked being in the shop. A family neighbour would always say, "There goes Harry and that thar' young Stanley". In 1947 he married Hilda (Connors-Cook) and they lived on the Bonnett family yard until 1956 when Stan built a new house and they started a yard on their land adjacent to the village of Palmer. Stan took great pride in keeping up his yard, buildings and trees. Becoming a journeyman carpenter he began a secondary career and over the next 20 years built many new houses and sheds in the Gravelbourg area. During this time Stan and Hilda took many camping trips in western Canada and the U.S. starting with a home built plywood unit and progressing to a new Airstream. They also travelled to England, Ireland, Europe and took many bus tours to most of the U.S. states.
In 1986 they retired to Moose Jaw, built a new house and joined their many friends on Dahlia Crescent, for happy hours, supper parties, and card games. He again took great pride in developing and maintaining another beautiful yard. Stan still gladly helped Les on Grandpa Bonnett's homestead when needed. Starting at age 14 stooking sheaves by hand, he was a full time participant in 62 consecutive harvests.
Stan and Hilda were lifelong square dancers. In the winter of 1977 they followed the square dance world to Mesa, Arizona. Stan made another 30 winter trips to Orangewood Shadows trailer park to dance and pursue another passion - shuffleboard - winning many trophies along the way. After Hilda passed away in 1996, Stan married Shirley in 1998. With Shirley being from Phoenix, they continued to be Snowbirds spending winters in Mesa and summers in Moose Jaw. Stan was again pursuing another passion, that of a master Wood Crafter - building intricate furniture designs, Intarsia and farm equipment models. This fit well with Shirley being a professional artist and painter.
Grandpa had an active and productive 86 years. The last five years were more challenging but he met them with strength and grace. His work ethic and discipline, fostered growing up, is something we hope we will never lose. Stan wore out - he didn't rust out.
You set a great model for us Grandpa. You accomplished much in your life. We are happy you are now at peace. We will always remember you. So much history is leaving with you. You gave us roots now we give you wings.
Predeceased by Hilda in 1996, Stan leaves to remember him, his wife Shirley,
children: Les (Mary), Elaine (Ron), Ken (Sharon)
grandchildren: Shawna, Ryan, Niel, Hayley
sister: Hazel Wilson and many nephews and nieces.
Celebration of Stan's life be will be held on Sunday, January 12, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. from Parkview Funeral Chapel, 474 Hochelaga Street West, Moose Jaw with lunch and fellowship to follow. Interment will take place at Rosedale Cemetery. Memorial donations in Stan's memory may be given to Providence Place 100 2nd Ave NE Moose Jaw, SK S6H 1B8.