Obituary of Ken Tuplin

Kenneth Allan Tuplin passed away at the Maidstone Health Complex, Maidstone, Saskatchewan on Sunday, September 16, 2018 at the age of 72 years.

Ken is survived by: his wife, Trina; his three sons, Francis (Amanda ) Tuplin, Darren (Jackie) Tuplin, and Jason Tuplin (Rachel Sokulski); his two grandsons, Kayden Tuplin, Parker Tuplin; his granddaughter, Jean Leonard; his two sisters, Elaine (Brian) Stewart and  Donna (Dennis) Moline; his brother, Doug Tuplin; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Ken was predeceased by: his parents, Harold and Audrey Tuplin; and numerous aunts and uncles.

The Memorial Service for Ken will be conducted from Maidstone Legion Hall, Maidstone, Saskatchewan on Friday, September 21, 2018 at 2:00 pm.

Donations in memory of Ken may be made to the Maidstone Legion Branch #142.

Ken's funeral card can be viewed or downloaded from the link below:
https://indd.adobe.com/view/942240b1-bcfb-4303-93cd-69383cc5a9a2

Eulogy:

Ken was born May 19, 1946 to Harold and Audrey Tuplin. He attended Idanell School from Grades 1 through 7 then came to Maidstone for grades 8 through 12.

He attended the University of Saskatchewan in 1964 in the College of Agriculture.

After graduating from University, he taught school in Langenburg, Churchbridge and Esterhazy.

He came back to this area and taught Vocational Agriculture and Biology in Lashburn and Neilburg in 1970-71.

Ken left teaching and turned to his passion of farming in 1971.

Ken was a 4H member for 8 years and was a 4H leader for 5 years

Ken was on the Sask Wheat Pool committee for 22 years

He married the love of his life, Trina Hinde, on June 25, 1983

Ken has three siblings, Elaine, Donna and Doug.

He was a very active member of the Maidstone Legion Branch 142 for 42 plus years and served in all leadership capacities. He was involved in all facets of Legion sports but curling was his favourite. Ken was honoured with 75 year medal, certificate of Merit and a Life Membership in the Legion.

Talking with the family it was quickly apparent that they all loved the farm life they lived. Harvest was a special time of year on the farm as I think it is on all farms in the community.

Some would remember the late nights of combining and hauling the grain to the bin while others remember getting to miss some school to participate in the harvest.

All the boys thought of the time spent together weeding the huge potatoes plot with a chance to earn some money to go to the fair or to spend on items they wanted.

The family recalled the years they planted potatoes which actually started because Harold had a big corn plot. It morphed into something much larger when they would harvest in excess of 10 tons of potatoes each year and store them in the root cellar. This went on for the best part of 30 years.

Everyone of the boys recalled riding with their dad in the tractor during seeding and harvest. Each has special memories which they hold dear to themselves. Francis told me a story of going to check the cows with Ken and they hit a big rock. He said they left with ¼ tank of gas and came home with¾. Darren remembers when he drove stateside he would call home to talk to his dad about where he was going and Ken would eagerly Follow on a map. Jason recalled the parts runs he and is father took in all kinds of weather. He enjoyed the time spent talking to Ken.

Doug was telling me a couple of stories about Ken that I think are worth telling and I know Ken will get a chuckle as well.

Doug told me he used to play a trick on Ken as Ken was hard of hearing. They would sit at the table and Doug would move his mouth like he was talking and Ken would tell him he couldn't hear him. Doug said it was mean fun.

He also remembers Ken owning an electric fencer that the cows kept getting through.

Ken checked all the connections and made sure the ground was good but it still would not work.

An electric fencer makes a clicking sound when it is working but Ken could not hear it so he knelt down in the wet sand by the lake and put his ear close to the metal fencer box.

Well. ...... it had shorted out inside the box and the current jumped from the box to his ear and grounded through his knees. Ken went into the fetal position for awhile but finally got up and could walk.

When he told Doug the story later (which I'm not convinced he should have shared), Doug would ask him "Can you hear me now?" which would illicite a scowl from Ken.

A few of the times I remember (and some that I don't) were the good times we used to have paddling down the Battle River on a warm, lazy Sunday afternoon.

I recall the numerous telemiracle parties we had, hosted by Norman and May Hinde and Ken and Trina. Then all the Roughrider games we would watch on TV with all hooting and hollering going on.

We would go to Vimy night at the Legion every April 9th and help celebrate one of the most important dates in Canadian History.

Circumstances change, lifestyles change but true friendships never change. Whenever I would run into Ken we would pick up right where we left off.

He will be greatly missed by the community, he will be irreplaceable in the Maidstone Legion Branch and his friends will never forget his kindness and quiet demeanour.

Ken had 3 beautiful grandchildren which he adored. Trina and her family will miss him dearly.

God Bless you Ken.

Card of Thanks:

We would like to thank the numerous doctors and nurses at Maidstone Hospital, Lloydminster Hospital, and Saskatoon Royal University Hospital. To the staff at McCaws and to Joel McCaw, your professionalism and assistance made a difficult situation easier. Reverend Ean Kasper for Officiating at the service, Frances Wright for playing the piano, and Lewis Wilkinson for the eulogy. Big thank you to grandson, Kayden Tuplin for acting as urn bearer. A special thank you to The Legion and Legion Auxiliary members for the lunch and the honor guard. To the family and friends for all the phone calls, visits and food your kindness if greatly appreciated.