Obituary of Gordon Wild

WILD – Gordon Herbert Wild passed away with his family at his side in the Lloydminster Hospital on Monday, April 10, 2006, at the age of 64 years. The Celebration of Gordon’s Life was held on Saturday, April 15, 2006, at the Grace United Church, Lloydminster, Alberta at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Fred Sirett officiating. The eulogy was given by special friend and neighbor, Keith Wright. The musical selections – “Amazing Grace”, “I Will Remember You”, and “Come to the Water” were sung by Linda Stieb, Sarah Maier and Julie Berg, accompanied by Erika Maier. The Interment took place at the Oxville Cemtery, followed by lunch in the Rivercourse Hall. McCaw Funeral Service Ltd. of Lloydminster administered the funeral arrangements. EULOGY On June 13, 1941, in the Lloydminster Hospital, Gordon was born to Herb & Amanda, a brother for Shirley. Gordon was raised on the family farm at Rivercourse. Gordon & Shirley have many special memories of growing up in the same yard as Grandpa & Grandma Joe. Gordon recently chuckled at how his Grandpa Joe would stand guard at his kitchen window while Gordon & Shirley smoked in his house. Even Grandma Joe was receptive to this. Gordon attended school at Allister, Rivercourse & Paradise Valley where he graduated in 1959. After graduating he attended the Vermilion School of Agriculture. While at College he met friends that he maintained contact with over the years. Gordon met Pat while curling in a high school bonspiel. His team consisted of three young women. Pat was the only one not interested in a romance! Gordon & Pat were married on June 1, 1962. They took over the family farm, becoming the third generation of Wilds’ on this farm. It was here that they were blessed with two children, Denise & Rodney. Gordon's passion was always farming. Over the years, besides grain farming, he raised pigs and cattle. Gordon continued to mix farm with his son Rodney until his last few days. In the spring and fall he enjoyed the company and assistance of his brother-in-law Zoli; Cousin Mark; and more recently Donnie, Ron, Derek and myself, Keith. Gordon actually fed some of his cattle up until two weeks ago, and was planning his spring crop. One of the passions in Gordon's life was curling. He curled with numerous friends; however, he curled competitively with Ron Bush, Gerald McLean and Denis Elliott. They shared many good times and hours of friendship together and they brought home their share of trophies and prizes. The wives often wondered just how many “Ends” there were to a curling game!! During Gordon’s’ curling career he and his team mates celebrated not one but two eight enders! One of his highlights was curling against Hec Gervais, and the game went down to the last rock. Besides curling, Gordon enjoyed some hockey, hunting, camping and fishing. Gordon certainly wasn’t a morning person, but when it came to hunting he was up before the crack of dawn to meet his buddy, George Hartel. Pat often wondered how Gordon could shoot a deer, as his first gopher hunting experience with his father-in-law resulted in Gordon shooting the mirror off Blondie’s brand new truck! For many years Gordon and Pat enjoyed time spent with friends, Donnie and Irene for camping, boating and fishing. Gordon was not much of a traveler, but he did enjoy their trips to Victoria to visit Pat’s family, Zoli and Edna, Terry, Cindy and their families. Gordon always enjoyed playing cards with family and friends. Although, Gordon, Mark & I often wondered why the women always seemed to win! Gordon continued to play cards even though he was not feeling “up-to-snuff”. The last game he played was on March 20 with Mark and Mavis, and the women beat the men again!! Over the years Gordon met and overcome many challenges in his life, all the while maintaining his great sense of humor. His positive attitude and strong determination enabled him to continue farming along with a little help from his family and close neighbors. Working with Gordon for the past three years, numerous times I have been overwhelmed by how he could take treatments in the morning and be out working in the field in the afternoon. Gordon truly was a fighter. Gordon was a very caring and loving husband and father and was always interested in Denise and Rodney’s careers and activities. Gordon was very community minded, active with the curling rink, skating rink and community hall. Gordon is survived by his loving wife, Pat of 43 years; daughter, Denise; son, Rodney; his mother, Amanda; sister, Shirley and Doug Stieb; sister-in-law and brother-in-law Edna and Zoli Szabados; brother-in-law Joe Churchill as well as many nieces, nephews and extended family. Gordon was predeceased by his father Herb in 1987 and his Grandparents. The Wild family are very good neighbors. Just ask and they will be there to assist with anything that pops up. I enjoy working with them. Marilyn and I truly consider Gordon, Pat, Denise and Rod as the best of friends. I am very honored to have been asked to share in this celebration of Gordon’s life. CARD OF THANKS We, Gordon’s family, would like to thank our many family and friends for the caring and kind words of compassion in the loss of our loved one. Over Gordon’s two years of battling cancer, we have to thank the doctors and nurses of the Cross Cancer Institute, specifically Doctors Joy and Scrimger. In Lloydminster, our thanks to Dr. Sayeed, Dr. Rogers and the Chemotherapy Nursing Staff for helping to make Gordon’s quality of life a better one. On April 9, when Gordon was admitted to the Hospital, he was greeted with kindness and compassion from Lorna Hoglander, Dr. Oberg, Lorraine Trew, Bonnie Stafford, Jean Wirachowsky, Peggy Clark, and other staff from the Medical Unit who assisted in making his last few hours comfortable. Also, thank you to Lloydminster Emergency Care Services for getting him to the Hospital safely. He was granted his wish and never had to spend many hours lying in a hospital bed. Special thanks to: · Glenn McCaw and staff for their compassion, care and guidance through such a difficult time. · Pastor Fred Sirett for officiating the service and for the visits to Gordon over the past few months; · The Pallbearers (Leon Brocke, Dale Brocke, Derek Wright, Arnold Hartel, Gordon Stieb and Greg Stieb); · The Honorary Pallbearers (Ron & Judy Tindall, Mark & Mavis Holmedal, Irvin & Marlene Paul, Don & Irene Herring, Keith & Marilyn Wright, Albert & Anne Venance); · The Flowerbearers Morgan & Lee Stieb; · Linda Stieb, Sarah Maier, Julie Berg and Erika Maier for the wonderful vocal selections – you did an amazing job; · Keith Wright for assisting in the preparation and presentation of the Eulogy. · The Rivercourse Ladies Club who prepared and served the lunch, and to those ladies not members of the Club that brought lunch. We were overwhelmed by the generous giving of food, visits to our home, telephone calls, cards and donations. Thank you to those friends who brought us meals. Although we cannot name everyone – you all know who you are. We cannot thank everyone enough for all the support we received – it is greatly appreciated. Pat, Denise & Rod Amanda Shirley & Doug Stieb & Families Donations in memory of Gordon may be made to the Lloyd Region Health Foundation Chemotheraphy Unit or to a Charity of the Donor's Choice.