Obituary of Ralph Watson

WATSON, Ralph David John passed away peacefully in the Dr. Cooke Extended Care Facility, Lloydminster, Alberta on Thursday, April 21, 2011 at the age of 80 years. The Prayer Service was conducted from St. Anthony's Catholic Church, Lloydminster, Alberta on Monday, April 25, 2011 at 7:00 P.M. with Brother Carlos Nunez officiating. The Funeral Service was conducted from St. Anthony's Catholic Church, Lloydminster, Alberta on Tuesday, April 26, 2011 at 1:00 P.M. with Father Louis Fowoyo officiating. The guest book was attended by Ashlynne Ukrainetz and Amanda Watson. The Readings were read by Alexis and Breanna Watson. The eulogy was read by Janelle Watson. A special tribute was read by Leanne Ukrainetz. A powerpoint of Ralph's life was presented by the family. Music was provided by Mel and Marlene Risling and Donna Weston. Active pallbearers were Cody Watson, Garrett Watson, Adam Watson, Delaine Ukrainetz, Tyler Watson, and Adam Froh. The interment was held in the Wycollar Cemetery. McCaw Funeral Service Ltd, of Lloydminster, Alberta administered the funeral arrangements. Grandpa's Eulogy Ralph David John Watson was born on November 17, 1930 to Ernest and Elizabeth Watson in Lashburn. He grew up on the farm with his eight brothers and sisters. He attended school through to Grade 8 at Cliff School. Grandma moved to Marsden in the fall of 1955, and shortly after met Grandpa. After courting for 3 years, they married on July 8, 1958. That year Grandpa and Grandma purchased the Kuehn farm, which is still in the family to this day, and developed a very successful farming operation over the years. This July they would have been married 53 years. They were blessed with 4 children: Calvin, Brent, Darin and Leanne, who certainly kept them busy through the years. Through the years their family grew to include 10 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. Grandpa always had a very special spot in his heart for his grandkids. Over the last 20 years Grandma and Grandpa have spent most of their winters in warmer climates first touring and later stationary in Apache Junction, with his sister Marg and Ed. We often heard stories of the numerous friends that they made from all over Canada and the United States. Grandpa leaves to mourn his loving wife, Marian of Lloydminster, Saskatchewan. His children: Calvin and Sandy and their children Alexis and Landon, Breanna and Shannon, and Garrett of Calgary & Edmonton, Alberta; Brent and Donna and their children Cody and Rosanna and their children Kade, Kyra, Kian and Janelle and Adam of Neilburg, Saskatchewan and Lloydminster & Calgary, Alberta; Darin and Linda and their children Adam, Tyler and Amanda of Calgary, Alberta; and Leanne and her children Delaine and Ashlynne of Lloydminster, Saskatchewan. His sisters: Bertha LeBlanc of Kelowna, British Columbia, Marg and Ed Balasz of Salmon Arm, British Columbia and Bernice and Paul Oborowsky of Battleford, Saskatchewan. Sister-in-law Bev Watson of Neilburg, Saskatchewan. Brother-in-laws Harvey and Kay Hauer, Harold and Gertie Hauer and Vernon and Charlotte Hauer all of Lloydminster, Alberta as well as numerous nieces and nephews. We would like to take this opportunity to thank all our family and friends for all the kindness and support you have given us and for being here today. Thank you! Memories of Dad Our Dad was many things to many people. He wasn't perfect but none of us are. What Dad did have was a heart of gold. Family and friends were always important to him and he passed that on to us. If any of us needed anything we could always count on Dad to make it happen. One story that comes to mind is the time when Uncle Bill said to Dad that he had his shop piled high with wheat that was going to take him a week to haul it, and he wanted to go fishing one more time before harvest. Dad volunteered his two trucks and boys to help; with three trucks loaded the night before they were at the elevator when the doors opened and a steady stream went all day and they finished the same day. With Uncle Bill, Cal and Brent driving trucks that left Ralph, Dan and Darin shoveling without a break. After all was said and done Dan commented to Uncle Bill that "...you said Hitler was demanding, but that brother of yours is worse...". It was a good natured comment and Uncle Bill and Dan were able to go fishing one more time before harvest. There are countless other times when he helped siblings though a particularly difficult time; because he could. Dad loved telling jokes and socializing with friends and family. Most of the grandkids remember Grandpa teasing them about wearing clown pants or girl pants whenever they weren't wearing jeans. Dad always had a good sense of community, fairness and a genuine desire to build and improve the lives of those around him, a trait acquired early in life from his mother, likely while hoeing the extensive potato patch with sister Marg, always knowing many of the potatoes would not end up in their cellar. Whether it was helping start the vet clinic, volunteering a tractor to assist with raising the rafters on the hall or to help with concreting the hockey arena, Dad was there to help. I think part of his motivation was to build a community for his children and grandchildren, but some of it was simply because he could. Long after his children had left the community there were several years that he still donated a steer to the local hockey team raffle. During the period between him and Clarence splitting their farms and Ralph and Brent setting up the home place for cattle; Ralph spent countless hours helping others finishing combining to the extent that his combine went into the shop only when all his neighbors had also finished. He never accepted pay, only the fuel to run, because he though "I may need the help someday"...even through he rarely, if ever, did. In a lot of respects Dad treated nieces and nephews the same as his children which was both good and not so good for those young folks. It was not so good if there were some farm chores planned, but the up side was that if the family was going skiing, camping or something like that it was not uncommon to have a cousin or two along as well. Wayne and Blaine were very close to the family, and Dad certainly treated them like sons; whether that meant catching hell for riding their motorcycles too fast through the yard, or attending their many baseball and hockey games; cheering like a proud Dad. For his grandkids he loved to attend hockey, soccer, taikwando, softball, dance recitals and music concerts (even though sometimes the volume almost blasted him out of the gym). He was always known to carry or have in the fridge an endless supply of Smarties for his grandkids and great grandkids. To his great grandkids has was known as Grandpa Great. Dad's happiest moments was when all of us were together. In his last few months with us he often said he had 80 good years and a good family to share it with and that he was happy with that. We will miss you Dad and you will forever live in our hearts! Thank you for all you have given us. We love you. Card of Thanks The family wishes to thank everyone who supported us in our recent loss through prayer, visits, phone calls, food, flowers, cards and memorial donations. Special thanks to Dr. Kerlis and the staff of the Dr. Cooke Extended Care Facility for their excellent care of Ralph. Father Louis and Brother Carlos for their support and encouraging words. The CWL for delicious lunch. Mel and Marlene Risling and Donna Weston for providing the music. Friends and family for the support and sharing in Ralph's funeral. McCaw's for their kindness, understanding and compassion during this time. Marian Watson Calvin & Sandy Watson & family Brent & Donna Watson & family Darin & Linda Watson & family Leanne Ukrainetz & family Donations in memory of Ralph may be made to the Canadian Diabetic Assocation or to KidSport.