McKAIG, Helma Pauline (Hagemeister) age 88, passed away on Monday, February 4, 2013, at the Kyle Health Centre. Helma was born on March 6, 1924, in Biggar, SK, the 11th of 13 children, to Christina (Nilson) and Ernest Hagemeister. She was raised on the family homestead near Beechy and received her education at Neasden School. From a young age, Helma had a great appreciation for music. She played guitar, sang, and even cut a record with two of her sisters. After moving to Kyle for work, she married Donald McKaig on October 12, 1944. Helma worked hard alongside her husband for over five decades. For many years they had a dairy, delivering milk seven days a week. They also delivered fryers and eggs to the community of Kyle. In their free time, Helma and Don would travel to round and square dances and enjoyed music sessions with neighbors and friends. Helma and Don had a busy and full life raising their six children, and nurturing their 20 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren. Her greatest joy was the frequent visits and phone calls from her family. She was a wonderful gardener, homemaker and cook, and her grandchildren often talk of their favorite Gramma foods. She would always take the time to make something special for each of them. Helma would never miss an opportunity to head to a ball diamond or hockey rink to cheer on her family. Playing cards and having family and friends drop in for a cup of coffee and her home baking were other favorite pastimes. She also had a great love of sports. Her favorite teams included the Roughriders, Canucks, Raptors, and of course her favorite of all, the Blue Jays. Helma never missed a game on TV and was known to sit in the vehicle listening to the game on the radio if it wasn’t televised. She knew all the players and coaches and was up to date on all trades and contracts. She always had an opinion about what moves should be made to improve her Jays! In 2006, Helma and Don moved from the farm to Kyle and after Don’s passing in September of 2007, Helma moved into the Southview Apartments and remained there until the time of her passing. Helma was predeceased by her parents; 8 sisters; 2 brothers; her loving husband, Donald, of 62 years, in 2007; and by a son, Donald McKaig in 2009. She is survived by her children, Philip (Gail) of Kelowna, BC, Terry (Gail) of Grand Forks, BC, Kevin (Barb) of Kyle, SK, Carol (Bevan) Bailey of Kyle, SK, Tim (Cathy) of Waldeck, SK; her daughter-in-law, Rita (Donald) of Coaldale, AB, and all their families; her sister, Velma Treslan; and by her brother, Donald Hagemeister. She will be missed and her memory will live on forever in our hearts. There will be no Funeral Service. A Private Family Graveside Service will be held at a later date at the Clearwater Cemetery. For those wishing, donations to the Kyle Health Centre would be appreciated by the family. Funeral arrangements were in care of Swift Current Funeral Home, Swift Current, SK. For further information or to sign the Family Book of Condolences, please go to swiftcurrentfuneralhome.com