John Yung formerly of Ogema, SK passed away in Weyburn, SK on Thursday, February 27, 2004 at the age of 91 years.

Grandpa’s Eulogy

Grandpa was born at Parry, SK on February 21, 1913. He started school in Parry until 1920 when his family moved to Pangman where his father ran the local butcher shop. In 1924 they moved to the farm in the Hemlock school district where Grandpa continued his education receiving his grade 10. Grandpa then completed his grade 11 in Regina, Sk at Scott Collegiate.

The next move was back to the farm where he worked alongside his father. In 1939 Grandpa went to work for a road construction crew. They built the road from Fords corner at Pangman to Horizon with horses, a dump wagon, and the elevator graders. Upon completion Grandpa rented a farm at Parry and on October 14, 1942, he married the love of his life Betty Pingert. In 1943 Grandpa and Gramma bought the Maxwell farm 2 ½ miles north of Amulet. Grandpa and Gramma adopted 2 children, which they raised from babies. Margaret in 1953 and Raymund in 1956. Grandpa and Gramma continued to farm and raise their family until 1975 when their son Raymund took over the family farm. Uncle Ted and Grandpa spent many weeks building their new house in Ogema and this is where the grandchildren spent many nights. Over the next 29 years Grandpa and Gramma never left each other’s side even up till the final 2 months in the Pangman Health Centre.

Grandpa was a farmer at heart. Talking with Angie last night she recalled Grandpa always arriving at the farm for harvest. He loved to help unload the grain and be a part of this time each fall. In the memory book Grandpa was still out helping with his cane in hand and a bucket to sit on too, to rest his legs. I also heard a story this morning where Grandpa was driving the tractor and pulling the combine behind and was going to clip the fuel tank and everyone was waving for him to stop. He just waved back happily clipped the tank, it rolled off and he headed out for the field without a worry.

Grandpa was community minded. He was on the wheat pool board all his farming life. He was president of the Amulet Telephone board for 15 years and when it joined with Ogema he served another 15 years until the government took it over. Grandpa was on the Pangman Co-op board for 7 years and served as a Reeve for the RM of Norton for 6 years. Grandpa was a trustee on the Weyburn library board for many years and also served 5 years on the board of directors for the Southeast Regional Library. Grandpa loved to do the bookkeeping and up until just a few months ago was still keeping the books in perfect order. Auntie Marg told me that Grandpa liked to go to conventions. Whether it was for the library, council, or whatever board he was on at the time. Grandpa was honoured by receiving a framed picture for 30 years of dedicated service to the Pangman Branch library and in 1993 received a plaque from the Saskatchewan membership in recognition of a significant contribution to the advancement of library service in Saskatchewan. Also, Grandpa was a church board member. During his retirement years Grandpa spent many years on the Pangman Hospital Board and served as secretary treasurer for the Senior Citizens Center.

Grandpa had a passion for sports as well. He played baseball for the Parry team during his early years and after retiring played bowling in the Ogema family fun Centre senior league. Grandpa truly was a Toronto Blue Jays biggest fan. He loved to watch the games on TV with Gramma by his side. Also curling was something that he loved to watch as well. Gramma was busy looking for the Woman Canadian championships on TV less then two weeks ago. Also Grandpa loved to watch any sporting events that his family was involved in.

I spent some time reflecting about what Grandpa would have seen over his life. The evolution of the horse to automobile. From seeding the fields with a plough to using the equipment available today to the farmer. I remember one story when grandpa farmed 80 acres. He worked and worked to seed the field and feed his family. When progressed to the final loop Grandpa could actually see the first row of wheat coming up. That amazes me today because Dad is able to seed double that in just one day. The invention of the phone. Last night I was listening to the family reminisces and you weren’t able to call anyone past 6 o’clock. Imagine and now almost every teen has their own cell phone. The invention of them and then the computer. Being able to talk to your family, go visit the neighbours, then your nearest town, and ultimately being able to fly anywhere in the world and then beyond to walking on the moon. Grandpa lived through WWI and II, from women receiving equality to men. I heard one story last night where the men actually went into the bar and would have drinks while the women would get groceries and wait for them. Now Brenda Bakken runs the district. Throughout it all Grandpa has remained consistently the same loving, kind, and patient man.

FAMILY- that word has great meaning for Grandpa, for me, and I hope to all of you. Grandpa grew up in a 3-part family. He was the first-born, but lost his mother and brother during his birth. His father remarried a widow, which had 2 children of her own Walter and Margaret. His father and new wife would then go on to have 7 more children of their own. That made Grandpa in a family of 11 children. I’m not sure who taught Grandpa the importance of family but both Grandpa and Gramma have installed amazing family values into their children Raymund and Margaret, which they have passed along to their kids. Like I mentioned earlier there wasn’t anything that Grandpa wouldn’t do for his kids and then his grand and great grandchildren. He was proud of each of us and welcomed us all into their home many times and whenever we needed. It wasn’t uncommon to have all the family over at Grandpas for special events, whether it was a birthday, Christmas or Anniversary. Also many a weekends I spent at Grandpas house where I would find Brent or Curtis as well.

Gramma wanted me to mention that Grandpa had celebrated his 91st birthday just over a week ago. The family was there to celebrate and enjoy the cake that Gramma had made. It was a great afternoon that Grandpa enjoyed and a way for him to say goodbye to everyone at once. Dad told me that on his last day that he only saw Grandpa smile when he saw Shauntay. He loved his family dearly and we will miss you. Like to think that he’s happy and healthy wherever he is now. That he’s looking down on us and smiling. That he will be waiting and welcome us with open arms when we see him again. I love you Grandpa. By: Derek Yung

A Funeral Service was held at 10:30 a.m. from Holy Angel’s Roman Catholic Church, Pangman, SK with Fr. Prince presider. Interment was at Hillcrest Cemetery. Donations in memory of John may be made to the Saskatchewan Parkinson’s Disease Foundation, 108B- 3502 Taylor St E., Saskatoon, SK. Arrangements in Care of Assurance Funeral Services, Weyburn, SK.