Obituary of Hans Michel

The family of Hans Michel, beloved husband of Valerie of the Buchanan District, sadly announce his passing on Friday, September 22, 2023. He was 77 years of age.

Hans was born in Brienz, Switzerland on March 26, 1946. He was the fifth child of eight. Hans started school in Brienz and in 1953, Hans’ family moved to Glen Robinson, Ontario. On October 14, 1954, his mom died. He attended school in Glen Robinson until Grade 4 and then went to school in Glen Senfield for four years, then went to high school in Alexandria until he was 16. He stayed home and helped his dad on the farm until he was 22. He wanted to experience Western Canada, so he took the train to Saskatoon, where he got a job working for Roy Wudrick on a farm east of Saskatoon for seven years.

He met his wife-to-be, Valerie, at the Manhattan Dance Hall on New Year’s Eve in 1973. On June 20, 1975, they were married. Hans was hired on at the Allan Potash mine the beginning of June 1975, and worked there for 14 ½ years.

Hans and Valerie lived in Saskatoon for a short while (approximately three months). They then moved to Allan and lived in a basement suite for one year. They then bought a house trailer outside of Bradwell and lived there for one year. They moved their trailer into the Allan Trailer Court, where they lived for eight years. Wanting to farm, they bought land South West of Buchanan in 1980. They moved out to the farm in 1984, where Hans continued to work at PCS Allan for another five and a half years, while Valerie farmed full time and raised their three daughters, with Hans coming home on his days off. He quit working at the mine on December 23, 1989 to go farming full time until present day.

Hans was very hard working and focused on making a good life for his family. He was inseparable from Valerie. Wherever she was, he was close behind. They worked hard together but also liked to go on many adventures together. Hans was very proud of his three daughters and the good men that they married. He loved spending time with the grandkids and teaching them things on the farm like driving the old truck, tractor, and how to be around cattle. He enjoyed visiting with family and friends, playing cards, reading, and liked politics. 

Hans was predeceased by his parents Fritz and Anna; brothers Fritz and Peter; brother-in-law’s Joe, Cyril and Steve; and sister-in-law Jean.  

Hans leaves to celebrate his life: his beloved wife Valerie; daughters: Tracy (Don) Jace and Joshua; Loretta “Loree” (Devin) Kingsten, Konner and Karter; Jody (Greg) Kaetlynn “Katie” and Jenna; sisters: Margaret, Dori and Liz (Oscar); brothers: Menk and Rudy (Joyce); sister-in-law, Viola and brother-in-law, Elmer as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

The Funeral Service was held on Saturday, September 30, 2023 from the Yorkton Memorial Gardens Family Centre with Crystal Bailey, Certified Celebrant officiating. Tributes were given by Devin Sheeshka, Greg Reid and Don Bielinski. The honorary casket bearers were Katie, Joshua, Jace, Kingsten, Jenna, Konnor, and Karter. The interment followed in the Garden of Gethsemane, Yorkton Memorial Gardens with Greg Reid, Devin Sheeshka, Don Bielinski, Collin Wiebe, Tim Reid and Lionel Dutchak serving as casket bearers.

Memorial donations may be made to SaskAblities - Yorkton Branch as gifts of remembrance.