Obituary of Donald Wessing
It is with great sadness that the family of Donald Wessing, of the Kelliher district, beloved husband of Elaine Wessing, announce his passing on November 9, 2024. Donald passed away suddenly at his shop on the farm at the age of 71.
Donald was born in Theodore on August 12, 1953 to John and Annie Wessing (nee Derkach). He was the fourth in the family. He grew up on the farm east of Parkerview. He attended school at Crew Korne Country School where he usually walked to school with his brothers and sisters.
Following completion of his schooling, he went with his brother Irvine to work in the mine at Snow Lake, Manitoba. He then went to work driving cat for Derkach and helped him build a house in Indian Head. Following that he went to work making grave covers with Fesczyn. In September 1977, Don went to work for the Canadian Pacific Railway. He worked for CP Rail all over Saskatchewan, Alberta and Manitoba but he would always come back to the farm. In 1978, Don purchased some land north of Kelliher.
In 1979 when working in Assiniboia, he met Elaine Kostal whom he married on September 20, 1980. He continued working for CPR and alternated weekends living in Assiniboia and on the farm. In 1981 his first daughter Nicole was born and in 1982 his son Kevin was born. In 1985 they decided to build their house on the farm. He dug the basement and built the house himself. When he had it completed, they moved to the farm. On January 1, 1986 they had their third child, a daughter Tracy, which completed their family.
Donald was happy as he had a family and his farm. He continued to work with CP Rail, coming home to the farm on weekends to be with his family and do the farm work.
Donald was a loving husband and cherished being with his children. His passion was the farm and he enjoyed gardening. He was a man of few words but always had a smile, so fellow employees knew him as “Smiley”.
Don enjoyed visiting with his family and neighbours. He was always willing to help anyone that needed a hand. He was a good mechanic and a very talented finishing carpenter, china cabinets was his specialty. He enjoyed hunting every year and was great at making sausage.
On December 31, 2017, Don retired from CP Rail. He looked forward to living on his farm and getting to know his grandchildren. Don, like always, made himself a routine. He got up every morning at 6am, made his grandson Toby’s school lunch, then at 8:15a.m. he would walk him to the bus. Every day at 3:45 p.m. you could always find Don waiting for the bus to get Toby. This was his enjoyment. Don would never go on a family trip, he said he had seen enough country when he was on CP Rail.
Every August Don would go on his holiday which was driving a swather for his brother-in-law Garvan Kostal, helping him to make sileage. He always looked forward to this as his grandsons Hunter and Toby would go and ride on the swather with him. He cherished those days.
Don leaves to mourn and cherish their moments together, his wife Elaine; daughter Nicole Anderson (Wayne), grandchildren Erica, Kelsey Lee, Conner and Lincoln; son Kevin (Courtney) grandson Hunter; daughter Tracy and grandsons Toby and Tripp, his brothers; Irvine (Sheila), Richard (Anna) and Randy (Heather), his sisters; Jeanette (Norman) and Eleanor, as well as many nieces and nephews.
God bless you Donald. We will love you forever and we will keep your wish that the farm be kept in the Wessing name.
Visitation for family and friends was held on November 20, 2024 from the Yorkton Memorial Gardens Family Centre. The Funeral Service was held on November 21, 2024 from the Yorkton Memorial Gardens Family Centre, with Doreen Day, Certified Celebrant, officiating. Honorary casket bearers were Hunter Wessing, Lincoln Anderson and Toby Wessing. The interment followed in the Garden of Gethsemane, Yorkton Memorial Gardens with Kevin Wessing, Connor Anderson, Wayne Anderson, Trevor Wessing, Troy Wessing, and Ryan Wessing serving as casket bearers.
Memorial donations may be made to Ducks Unlimited Canada (Box 1160, Stonewall, MB, R0C 2Z0) as gifts of remembrance.
