Of St. Walburg passed away on Friday, November 4, 2011 at the age of 80 years. The Memorial Service was conducted from the Elks Community Hall, St. Walburg on Tuesday, November 8, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. with Donna Hall officiating. The urn bearer was Glen LaBar. The organ was played by Debbie Jetzke. The ushers were Ted Harris and Rollie Neumann. Condolences can be emailed through our website at www.marshallsfuneralhome.ca. MARSHALL’S FUNERAL HOME LTD., administered the funeral arrangements. George Robert (Bob) Buckle, the only son of George Robert (Bert) and Emma Buckle, was born on June 6th, 1931 in a cabin on a holding of 160 acres (Sec. 31, T53, R21, W3) in the Deer Valley District near St. Walburg, SK. Bob’s father immigrated to Canada and filed for a homestead in 1907. He returned to England in 1923 and married his childhood sweetheart, Emma Ruddock, in Stowmarket, Suffolk, England. They arrived in Montreal three weeks later and took the train to Spruce Lake, SK. Bert partitioned their log cabin into three rooms: a kitchen, a bedroom, and a general working area. Emma made it into a cozy home. They had five children: Daisy Orovida, Cynthia Evelyn, Isobel Mae, George Robert and Diana Rose. Life was busy on the farm, but there was never a dull moment. They grew a large garden, raised horses, pigs, chickens, steers, and had one cow for milk. It was a thrill for the family to ride in their 1927 Touring Chevrolet. Winters were severe. They rode into town in a sleigh, clutching hot water bottles in temperatures of 50 degrees below (F). Bert’s health began to fail. He was in and out of the Prince Albert Sanitorium, SK for two years and passed away on December 16th, 1933, just a week before Christmas. The family stayed on the farm and saw more bad times than good when they were growing up. During the depression years of the 1930’s, however, they were fortunate to be living on the farm and have plenty to eat. Bob and his sisters attended Deer Valley school. For entertainment, they and their friends spent most of their time in the great outdoors playing baseball and other sports, or perfecting their hunting and fishing skills in warm weather. Bob was an excellent marksman and provided wild meat for the table. They also attended dances in the area or played cards and board games. When Bob was about eighteen, he and Clarence LaBar went to work on the rigs but decided they were not meant to work in the oilpatch. They took a carpentry course in Saskatoon, then went to BC and worked for Kester’s Logging. Bob loved the milder weather and the outdoor life BC had to offer. Nothing made him happier than reeling in a 20-pound spring salmon. In 1958 he returned to the homestead where he farmed until he retired and moved to Spruce Lake, SK. When he wasn’t working the land, or using his carpentry skills, he was out in the community. He was a member of the Agricultural Society, the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation, the St. Walburg Elks, and the Spruce Lake Seniors club. He travelled to Hope, BC each year and to England a couple of times. Fall was a special time of year because it brought his hunting friends from southern Saskatchewan. He hoped to use his 2011 moose tag, but that was not in the cards for him. In August 2011, he moved to Lakeland Lodge where he enjoyed the visits of his sisters, his nieces & nephews, and his many friends. He appreciated the care of the staff and enjoyed the meals. On November 4th, 2011 Uncle Bob, the man with nine lives, who survived car accidents, falling off scaffolding, severe frostbite, and numerous other escapades, breathed his final breath. He wanted us to enjoy our memories of him, not mourn his passing. When he found out he had only a short time to live, he said: “We all have to die sometime” and carried on with the same positive attitude he faced whatever came his way. He loved to play baseball, board games and cards, hunt and fish, and have fun. He lived his life to the fullest, thrived on the company of people of any age, and never grew old in spirit. He was ready to lend a hand, tell a joke, or share a line such as: “Who has more fun than people?” He was predeceased by: his parents, George Robert Buckle (1933) and Emma (Ruddock) Buckle (1979); two sisters, Daisy LaBar (1982) and Cynthia Rascher (1999) and two brothers-in-law, William Rascher (1980) and Verne LaBar (2004). Left to cherish his memory are: his sisters, Isobel (George) Karst of Hope, BC and Rose (Clarence) LaBar of Hope, BC; Daisy’s family, Lenard (Alvina) LaBar, Eileen (Vern) Ireland, Grant (Janice) LaBar, Lori (Sandy) Mercia; Isobel’s family, Dale (Connie) Karst; Rose’s family, David (Elaine) LaBar, Marina LaBar, Glen (Rosalinda) LaBar; his great nieces and great nephews, Michael (April) LaBar and children, Tannis (Wayne) Renas and children, Jamie (Neil) Ebben and children, Derek LaBar, Brett LaBar, Adam LaBar, Paige LaBar, Ashley Mercia, Sheldon Mercia, Shawn Karst, Travis Karst, Jennifer (Neil) Howatt and family, Jonathan LaBar, Jessica LaBar; and many others who called him “Uncle Bob”. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada or the charity of the donor’s choice. The family wishes to express their deepest gratitude for the many kindnesses, prayers, and sympathies extended during this time.
Glen & Linda LaBar and Families.