Donald Gardner, age 63 years of Shaunavon, Saskatchewan, passed away Thursday, June 19, 2014 at the Shaunavon Hospital & Care Centre.
Donald was born April 14, 1951 in Swift Current, Saskatchewan to Samuel and Evelyn Gardner. He attended school in Simmie, Saskatchewan until age 14 and then the family moved to Shaunavon where he completed his grade 10. Donald began working in the oil patch immediately following high school. He attended technical school in Moose Jaw and received his Journeymen Welding Ticket. Donald married Theresa Ruetz in 1972 and they took over his family’s farm in 1976. Their son Andrew was born in 1974, their son Colin in 1976 and their daughter Nadine in 1980. Donald played Green Machine Hockey as well as coached minor hockey. He enjoyed playing cards, curling, camping, fishing and golfing. Donald served on the R.M. of Bone Creek Council and the Shaunavon Rink Board. He sold and adjusted hail insurance for various companies and worked for Saskatchewan Crop Insurance for many years.
He was predeceased by his parents Samuel and Evelyn Gardner, his sister Helen Nicolson, his two sisters in infancy, his father-in-law Leo Ruetz and his mother-in-law Anne Ruetz.
Donald is survived by his wife Theresa, his sons Andrew (Lisa) of Lloydminster, Alberta and their children Kyla, Taliya, Madison, Karson, Ty-Lane and Hudson; Colin (Aaron) of Clavet, Saskatchewan and their children Avery and Kieran; his daughter Nadine (Brent) Wilson of Lashburn, Saskatchewan and their children Drake and Kendyl; his sisters Ruth Elliott of Shaunavon, Donna (Ed) Johnson of Hughenden, Alberta and Lois (Philip) Hanna of Red Deer, Alberta; his brothers-in-law Alan (Joe-Anne) Ruetz of Shaunavon, Ron (Cheryl) Ruetz of Calgary, Alberta, Richard (Sandra) Ruetz of Oxbow, Saskatchewan, Mike Ruetz of Vancouver, British Columbia, Ian (Linda) Ruetz of Medicine Hat, Alberta and Gord (Kathleen) of Medicine Hat; sister-in-law Virgina Stewart (Pat) of Maple Creek, Saskatchewan as well as by two aunts and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Funeral Services were held Tuesday, June 24, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. from Christ the King R.C. Church in Shaunavon with Reverend Father John Mock officiating. Interment took place at Hillcrest Cemetery at Shaunavon. The eulogy was presented by Alan Ruetz. The Urn Bearer was Travis Hanna. Binkley’s Funeral Service of Shaunavon (www.Binkleys.com) was in charge of the arrangements.