Obituary of Robert Laidlaw

The family of Robert Laidlaw of Wroxton, beloved husband of Gwen Laidlaw, sadly announce his sudden passing at his home on June 29, 2022. Robert was 76 years of age. Robert (Bob) Murray Laidlaw was born in Yorkton on June 20,1946 to Murray and Vera Laidlaw (nee Thomsen). They lived on the original family homestead south of Wroxton. Bob attended a one room schoolhouse at Rothbury School. He was a strong student but never liked the public speaking and school plays part of things. He enjoyed curling and had many bonspiel trophies to show for it. He attended church at the Castleton Church in the country and would talk about their church picnics. He then went on to high school in Churchbridge. The family moved off the farm in 1964 and made Churchbridge their home. After graduating high school, Bob had many work experiences. He worked hauling gravel, digging basements, and hauling logs around Hudson Bay. In 1966 Bob met Gwen Donaldson at a wedding. Bob was best man for his cousin Bob Ritchie and Gwen was maid of honor for her cousin Grace Elaschuk. Soon after, Gwen asked Bob to be her escort for high school graduation and they have been together ever since. They were married on May 19,1972 in Roblin, MB. In 1970 he became an elevator operator for UGG. He ran the grain elevators in Inglis, MB and Ashville, MB. While in Ashville, Bob and Gwen welcomed their daughter, Sandra, in 1974 and their son, Scott, in 1977. In 1979, Bob was being transferred to Carberry, MB and Bob and Gwen had a decision to make, continue with grain elevators or go back to working on the family farm. Farming was always in his blood, and it was what made him truly happy, so the family moved back to the farm in May of 1979. They worked together to rebuild the barn, several outbuildings, and a house, many of which had been destroyed in a fire. Bob and Gwen worked and volunteered in the community. They attended the United Church in Calder and were always helping whether it was for the Ladies Bake Sale or yard cleaning that needed to be done. He spent time in the winter helping at the skating and curling rink because it was important to help keep things going for the community. Farming had so many ups and downs but through the years, Bob and Gwen worked side by side on their mixed farm supporting each other the whole way through. Years of crop failure, low prices, fires, floods, hail never made him quit. Every spring he was ready to plan what he was seeding and head out to get the crop in the ground. They expanded the original 4 quarters by adding on 2 more. They also rented 2 additional quarters as the years went on. Bob and Gwen raised feeder steers, pigs, and chickens for years. His steers often became his pets, and it was always hard for him to ship them off in the spring. Bob took great pride in his animals and his crops. Even as Bob was nearing the end of his farming career, it was never far away. In 2005 he worked at PH Elevator in Yorkton. Later on, Bob and Gwen rented their farmland with the condition that he came along as a hired hand. He spent 7 more years continuing to work the land. Farming was his life and there was nowhere else he wanted to be, right up until the very end. He was an amazing father. He supported and guided his children no matter their decisions that they made through life. He was always there with a quiet voice and a strong opinion and was there to pick them up when they fell. He was proud of everything they accomplished. He instilled in them his strong work ethic and determination…or as Gwen called it, stubbornness. In 1999, Jason Diduck was welcomed into the family as his son-in-law. They got along so well, talking about farming, discussing auctions that happened and auctions that were coming up. In 2005 and 2008, Carter and Jaydon were born into the family. These boys were Grandpa’s pride and joy. He was there every day when they came home from the hospital never wanting to miss a day with them. He came to hockey games, football games, soccer practices, music recitals and picked them up from school when needed. He was there for every special event. They never missed a single hug from Grandpa when he would leave. He was so proud of everything they did. Bob was predeceased by his parents Murray and Vera Laidlaw, a sister, Lillian, in infancy, brother-in-law Brian Donaldson and sister-in-law Eleanor Donaldson. Bob leaves to mourn his wife of 50 years, Gwen, his son Scott, his daughter Sandra and son-in-law Jason and grandsons Carter and Jaydon Diduck, his sister-in-law Brenda (Steve) Ilienko and nephews Travis (Cheryl), Ryan, Corey Ilienko and his brother-in-law Wayne Donaldson. The funeral service was held on Tuesday, July 5th 2022 from the Yorkton Memorial Gardens Family Centre with Crystal Bailey officiating. Music played was ‘Go Rest High on That Mountain’, ‘How Great Thou Art’ and ‘Go On Without Me’. The interment took place in the Garden of St. John with Jason Diduck, Elmer McInnes, Steve Ilienko, Travis Ilienko, Dwayne Chute and Perry Sawchuk serving as the casketbearers. Condolences can be left at baileysfuneralhome.com Service Details. Service When: Tuesday, July 5th, 2022 11:00am Location: Yorkton Memorial Gardens Family Centre Address: Highway #10 East YORKTON, SK Interment Location: Garden of St. John, Yorkton Memorial Gardens Cemetery Address: Highway #10 East YORKTON, SK Online Memory & Photo Sharing Event Ongoing Online Event About this event In Loving Memory Of Robert Laidlaw June 20, 1946 - June 29, 2022 Look inside to read what others have shared Family and friends are coming together online to create a special keepsake. Every memory left on the online obituary will be automatically included in this book. View Tribute Book