Obituary of Donald Ivey
The family of Don Ivey of Kelliher, sadly announce his passing on Monday, August 10, 2026. He was 85 years of age.
A Family Graveside Service will be held at a later date.
Donations in memory of Don Ivey may be made to the Ituna Pioneer Lodge or the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada as gifts of remembrance.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Bailey’s Funeral Home and Cremation Care.
Donald Albert Ivey passed away peacefully on August 10, 2026. Don was born on December 3, 1940, in the Jasmin District of Saskatchewan to parents Thomas and Josephine (nee Hamelin) Ivey. He was the third of eight children. Don took his schooling at St. Joseph’s School then attended Ituna High School in the old red brick school. He finished Grade 10, then went to work.
Don worked for Russ Dixon, operating construction equipment clearing bush then worked for Penner Tires in Shaunavon. In 1963, he completed his mechanics and welding course, getting his journeyman welding ticket. He worked for SIAST, teaching welding courses all over the province. In this time frame he obtained his GED and also acquired his boiler papers.
Don owned his own welding shop in Kelliher until his health issues prevented him from doing that. He worked for Dave Johnson at his feed lot, working alongside his good friend Lloyd Haynes. Don worked for local farmers in the Kelliher and Ituna areas. He was the handyman of Kelliher and fixed everything for anyone. He also worked for the Kelliher Housing Authority for 25 years, alongside his other jobs.
Don married Julie Cragg in April of 1977. They welcomed three children together, David Thomas Ivey, Arlene May Sopel, and Keith Donald Ivey. Don and Julie divorced a few years later with Don getting custody of the kids. Don raised his children in Kelliher. He took great pride in his grandchildren. He would drop whatever he was doing to watch them, come to their soccer games, watch dance recitals, and was so proud when they graduated.
Don lived in his own home up until two months ago. He survived bladder cancer twice and had had two strokes. The first stroke he healed from completely; the second stroke paralyzed his right side, but he still lived in his own home for an additional eight years after that, while also struggling with lung cancer for the last four years.
Don loved to play his guitar and sing. He also always had a joke or story for anyone who would listen. He loved gardening and trying to start all sorts of plants from seeds he would collect around the countryside. His yard became an orchard with all sorts of fruit trees he had planted and so many spruce trees he had started. He even had carrots growing in a pot on his desk in May.
Don is predeceased by his parents Thomas and Josephine Ivey, his sisters Joan Borden and Marg Wenaas, brothers Thomas Ivey and Wayne Ivey, as well as brothers-in-law Orland Wenaas and Lawrence Snider.
He leaves to cherish his memories his children David, Arlene (Calvin) and Keith (Bonnie). His grandchildren Selina Volk, Marissa (Hunter) Kosmonek, and little baby girl due in November, Paige Sopel (Marshal Faye), Shailyn Ivey (Caleb Henley), Avrie Ivey (Kane Spilchuk), Keaton Sopel, Link Lanctot, Jorja Sopel (Everett Jones), Jordyn Ivey, Victoria Ivey, and Julianna Ivey. As well as his brother Allan Ivey, Sisters Hazel Snider, Connie (Gerald) Fisher and numerous nieces and nephews.
