Oyen Weekly News Briefs, Feb. 25, 2021
By Diana Walker
I apologize for not having any Oyen Briefs last week. Being part of the Big Country Agricultural Society, I was fully immersed in organizing and helping pull things together, following all COVID restrictions, for the 19th Annual Crossroads Beef Expo held at the Crossroads Centre February 20. Watch the Oyen Echo for results.
Congratulations: Winners of the Saskatchewan Weekly Newspapers Association Better Newspapers Competition were announced in an online awards presentation on October 28, 2020.
1st place winner of Best Photographer was Kate Winquist, then from the Maple Creek & Southwest Advance Times! She is now publisher and owner of The Oyen Echo and Your West Central Voice (Kindersley). This announcement appeared this week News Media Canada’s Facebook page.
The judge comments, “Ms. Winquist’s photograph, ‘Colorful spectacle’ on the front page of the February 19, 2019 issue is exceptional in composure, sharpness, contrast, color, and too is eye-grabbing enough to drive sales. Everything a newspaper in any market would love to rely on.
Kate scored 93 of a possible 100 points.
Seen Around Town: When entering the Provincial Building to pay our grass/hay insurance, I was pleasantly surprised by the new vinyl floor planking throughout the office — fresh new look!
A picker truck was parked outside Schindel Agencies Monday, replacing light bulbs in their sign across the building.
Congratulations to Vida VanSickle of Acadia Valley, winner of the Crossroads Beef Expo Raffle. She chose the cash prize of $2,000 rather than use the $3,500 certificate toward the purchase of an animal from any one of the Expo exhibitors.
Condolences: Over the past couple of weeks, several families among us have lost loved ones.
Sympathies are extended to Gloria Koppenol, Bonnie (Hank) Doktorchik and Daryl (Debby) Yake and their families on the death of their brother Rex Yake of Oyen January 23, 2021, at the age of 63. A man who loved nature and farming, Rex was the youngest of Daniel and Susan Yake’s four children. After high school, Rex attended SAIT to become a partsman before becoming a full-time farmer. He was predeceased by his father, mother, and brother-in-law, Mart.
Condolences to Marilyn Lehman, Don (Mindy) Good and Glen Good and families on the death of their aunt Beulah Martin on February 2, 2021, in the Brooks Hospital at the age of 97. Beulah served in the Duchess Mennonite Church in many roles. She was predeceased by her husband Sam, daughter Glenda, son Murray and brothers Lloyd and Edgar Good. She is survived by her sons Gerry (Wendy), Rodney (Evelyn), Richard (Lecia), daughter Fern (Alvin), daughter-in-law Joan, 15 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren, sister Viola and many nieces and nephews.
Dorinda Kolkman, 58, sister-in-law to Bill and Cynty Kolkman of Oyen, died after a long and courageous battle with cancer at Victoria Hospital in London, Ontario, February 7, 2021. She is survived by her husband Leonard, son Tristan (Erica) and proud Nana to Dash as well as her parents, in-laws, one brother and two sisters.
John Wain, in his 70th year, brother to Cynty Kolkman of Oyen, died February 11, 2021, at his home in Auburn, Ontario. He is survived by his wife Dianne of 46 years and children Tracy, John (Ashley) and Vicki, five grandchildren and three sisters and two brothers-in-law. Our condolences to Bill and Cynty and their family on their losses.
Sympathy is extended to the family of Dorothy (Swanston) Champagne —an animal lover, musician, cook, marksman and gardener, who loved square dancing and floor curling—upon her death February 9, 2021, at the age of 89 in Extended Care, Oyen. Dorothy leaves to cherish her memory her sister Marion (Ted), sisters-in-law Phyllis, Beverley and Lucy (Jake), brother-in-law Albert, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband Bob, father, mother, brothers Vernon, Donny and Bobby and sister Sharon.
Maxine Westerlund died February 18, 2021, at the age of 81 in Extended Care, Oyen, where she shared a room with her husband Lloyd. Maxine graduated from the University of Calgary with a teaching degree but her love of country life and outdoor work may have influenced her decision to become a farm wife active in all aspects of raising grain and cattle and still finding time to sit on many community boards, including the Big Country Hospital and Big Country Medical and Dental boards and UFA Advisory Council. Maxine’s memory will be cherished by her husband Lloyd, her children: Shane (Teena), [Ailisa]; Heather [Oceana, Delfin, River], plus many nieces and nephews. She is survived by two brothers and one sister. Maxine was predeceased by her two brothers and two sisters-in-law.
Sympathy is also extended to Clarke Wood, and Cathy Joyce, niece and nephew of Kenny Wood of Alsask who died February 19, 2021, at the age of 81 following a battle with cancer. Many in the Oyen area will remember Kenny, a man with a humble soul and little smile to share with those he met, coming to town on his tractor.
Minnie Blair, formerly of Sedalia, then an Oyenite for many years and more recently a resident in Consort LTC, died February 21, 2021, at the age of 96. A teacher, mother, grandmother, cook, hard worker, gardener, pianist, crocheter and knitter, Minnie was the Sedalia correspondent for Oyen Echo for many years and, after moving to Oyen, became a self-appointed proofreader. She was active in the Big Country Agricultural Society’s Oyen Fair in many capacities, including contributor of entries and a judge. She is survived by one son, five daughters, 15 grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild, one sister-in-law and many nieces and nephews.