WAKER, Arthur Edwin - July 27, 1920- September 30, 2012. The family sorrowfully announces the peaceful passing of Art on September 30, 2012 after a short stay in the Swift Current Regional Hospital. Art was predeceased by his brother Eugene, and his parents Otto and Elsa. Art leaves to mourn his beloved wife Olive, his son Keith (Sue) Waker and grandsons Konrad and Nolan, his daughter Lezlie (Josh) Waker-Kinch, his son Leonard (Holly) Waker and granddaughters Stephanie, Sabrina, Shilo, Anne, and Shakira, brother, Darrol (Lois) Waker , sister Kathleen (Rus) Rusnak and many nieces and nephews Art's lifetime home was the Waker Farm north of Swift Current. As a boy, Art attended North View country school, Central School and Beatty Collegiate. As a young man Art spent the growing season on his family's farm and the winters working in Vancouver at many different jobs. Art married Arlene Ballance on January 27, 1945. Art and Arlene had two sons, Ron and Keith. On December 5, 1956 Art married Olive Sharp in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. They had two children, Lezlie and Leonard. Art's passions were family, farming, dancing and friends. Art loved and cared for his family, shared his life's wisdom with his children and grandchildren, and enjoyed watching many of their activities. . . soccer and hockey games, swim meets, piano and dance recitals, gymnastics competitions and concerts. In 1956, Art formed a farming partnership with his parents and brothers Darrol and Eugene. Art farmed at Waker Farms all his life until he retired. Before Art retired the workers on the farm grew to include his sons and nephews. Art enjoyed having family and friends visit. He was a great host, taking people around the farm to show what was being done and having his guests meet the family. Art and Ollie were round dance instructors for the Swift Current Square Dance Club, the Westwind Singles Square Dance Club, the Twisty Vines and Rhythm Dancers which were both Swift Current Round Dance Clubs. Art drove many miles to teach people not only Round Dance, but also Social Dance. Throughout the Social Dance sessions Art would encourage his students to join the dance clubs. Art and Ollie were recognized with many awards for their contributions to dancing in Canada. Art always said that the greatest gift of dancing was the many friends that he and Ollie made. Art liked to tell a good joke. . . he was very comfortable sharing a story in a large crowd. He enjoyed swimming so much so that he dug a pool in his yard with a shovel and swam in it for over fifty years. After Art retired from farming, he perfected baking whole wheat bread using grain grown on the Waker Farm. His grandkids and others savored the fruit leather he created. Art traveled to visit friends and relatives, see the world and meet new people. He included woodworking in his free time. Art gave his family advice and loved to share his experiences, and teach them the skills he knew. Our gratitude to the good friends at the Friday night dance, who supported Art and Ollie in their time of need, is heartfelt. The family would like to thank all the staff of the Swift Current Regional Hospital and the emergency ambulance staff who cared for Art. The kind, thoughtful ways of the staff were appreciated by the family. The funeral service was held Friday, October 19,2012 at the First United Church. If friends so desire, in lieu of flowers they may make a memorial contribution to the Prairie Pioneers' Lodge AuxilIary or the Heart and Stroke Foundation. Warren's Funeral Home in care of arrangements. For further information please call 773-8831 or visit our website at www.warrensfuneralhome.com and express your sympathy to the family in our book of condolence.