IRENE THERESA (WEHAGE) CANTIN

February 16, 1926 – May 9, 2016

With great sadness and heavy hearts the family of Irene (90 years of age) announces her passing at her home at Mont St. Joseph’s in Prince Albert, Sask.  She is now with our Lord and not suffering anymore pain.  Left to mourn are her children Marilyn (Terrance) Hall, Elaine (Clint) Rousell, Ken (Barbara) Cantin, Sheila (Ron) Polowski, Darryl (Ilene) Cantin, daughter-in-law Kim (Les) Cantin, daughter- in-law Sandra (Dale) Cantin and sister Eleanor Pompu. Her 18 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren.  Irene was predeceased by her husband of 66 years William Cantin Jr., (2011); two sons Dale Joseph Cantin (1975) and Les John Cantin (2014).  Her parents Joseph and Rose (Bittman) Wehage; three brothers Walter, Norman and Herbert; four sisters Agnes, Marie, Caroline and Lauretta and her in-laws William and Katherine Cantin.  Irene was born in Fulda, Saskatchewan and spent her younger years living with her parents on their farm in Pilger, Saskatchewan.  Irene went to elementary school in Pilger and helped her parents on the farm.  Irene loved to work with her father’s horses which she named.  She would work her father’s land with the horses in spring seeding, and with fall harvesting.  She had a way with her father’s horses.  Irene preferred doing outdoor work rather than working in the house.  In 1944 Irene met William (Bill) Cantin from Leask, Saskatchewan and they were married in April of 1945.  Of this marriage four children, Marilyn, Dale, Elaine and Ken were born while Bill and Irene lived and farmed West of Leask.  In 1955 they sold the farm and moved to the town of Leask where Bill worked for an elevator.  Sheila was born in 1957.  In 1958 Bill and Irene bought a service station in Wakaw, Saskatchewan.  Les was born in 1959. In 1962 Bill and Irene bought a pool room in Prince Albert (Owl Billiards) and made their last move to Prince Albert.  Darryl was born in 1965.  After the pool room was closed in 1975 Bill and Irene worked for various employers but eventually bought a service station in 1977 which they worked at as partners until 1996 when they sold the service station to retire.  Bill and Irene always worked as partners whether it was on the farm, service station or pool room.  As well as working side by side with Bill Irene also learned how to become an awesome cook making canned farm chickens, sour cabbage rolls, goulash, all kinds of pies (they were the best), puff pastries with whipped cream and a mean beef stew as well as many other dishes.  She was an awesome cook!! During her retired years Irene also took up mending clothes.  Her children and grandchildren kept her very busy with replacing zippers, shortening the hem or letting the hem down on slacks or jeans, fixing rips etc etc.  Irene was never a lazy lady.  She worked hard all her life.  Irene and Bill lived through many lean financial years but we always had good food to eat and clothes to wear.  During their retired years Bill would play his fiddle and Irene would play her guitar and they volunteered their music at different functions.  An awesome lady!!  Irene is now in heaven with Bill probably dancing together to old time polka music as they did for many years or they are playing Kaiser.  Actually Irene, Bill, Dale and Les are probably now a foursome in playing Kaiser.  Wonder who are partners and who is winning??  At Irene’s home at Mont St. Joseph almost every day you would find her sitting “up front” keeping an eye on things saying hello to everyone.  In summer helping Roger plant and weed flowers and strawberries.  She enjoyed teasing Eldon and beating him at cribbage.  She loved to play cribbage and would usually beat her opponent.  You would see her everyday with her word search book having a coffee.  Irene became good friends with Diane (blondie) and spent quality time with her.  They went out on a lot of dates together.  When music was offered she loved to dance with the staff and taught Father DJ a few jive moves.  Irene’s family would like to offer their heartfelt thanks to the staff at Mont St. Joseph’s Home.  The compassion and caring of all staff at Mont St. Joseph’s is so very much appreciated.  Your children and grandchildren will miss you very much Mom and Grandma and great Grandma.  Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 17, 2016 at Gray’s Funeral Chapel, 575 – 28^th Street West, Prince Albert, SK with Deacon Eldon Danielson officiating.  Interment will be held at Prince Albert Memorial Gardens.   In lieu of other tributes, memorial donations can be made to Mont St. Joseph Foundation, 777 – 28^th Street East, Prince Albert, SK S6V 8C2.  Condolences may be sent to the family at www.grays.ca. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Gray’s Funeral Chapel, (306-922-4729).

 

• Date : 2016-05-09
• Location : Prince Albert, SK