Ken Wootton
1928 ~ 2024

Kenneth John Wootton, 96, of Prince Albert, SK passed away peacefully, with Debbie and Laurie at his side, on March 15, 2024, in Birchview Home in Birch Hills, SK. Ken was born to Horace and Elizabeth Wootton on February 6, 1928, in Mayview, SK. He was the second eldest of four children, with three sisters. They were raised on the family farm, which instilled in Ken a hardworking and resilient spirit. He completed Grade 8; at which time he was hired as a farmhand. In 1947, Ken became a barber, working in different barber shops until he was able to lease and start his own shop, Ken’s Barber Shop, in 1967. He was an incredibly hard worker and spent his evenings and weekends developing and honing his exceptional woodworking skills. He renovated and sold four of our homes and created many beautiful furniture pieces, picture frames, and vases on the lathe. He also hand carved various animals and birds. When Dad retired, he turned his skills to making oak urns much to the appreciation of his friends. Each of his children and grandchildren have some piece of his woodwork in their homes, lovingly crafted in his workshop.

Dad met the love of his life, mom, at a dance when he was 21 and the mutual attraction was immediate. He called her the very next day and that was the start of a storybook romance that lasted their entire lives. Their marriage followed two years later, and soon their family grew with the addition of four daughters, Dianne, Debbie, Karen, and Laurie. The love, respect and affection Dad and Mom had for each other was evident every day, throughout their six and a half decades together. They were always together, always had a kind word for each other and were a wonderful example to their children and grandchildren of what a caring and thoughtful marriage looks like. Dad lovingly washed and styled mom’s hair for the majority of their life together. As Mom’s dementia worsened, Dad lovingly and patiently took on all the cooking, cleaning, and laundry, in addition to making sure she received her medications and had daily exercise. In June 2016 they moved into River Breeze Retirement Complex to aid him in her care. Sadly, they parted only 4 months later when mom passed away in October 2016.

Every child and grandchild looked forward to Grandpa and Grandma calling them on their birthday to sing Happy Birthday. When the grandchildren got to sleep over at Grandpa and Grandma’s, they would wake to Dad’s exuberant singing of Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, and he would not relent until they woke up and joined in the song. They took their grandchildren on walks to Kinsmen Park and would join them in skipping on the way home.

Dad always had a smile for everyone. He loved sharing jokes with his customers when they came into his barber shop, then sharing the new jokes he collected with his kids at the dinner table when he got home from work. (At least most of them.) Dad was an awesome dancer. When Dad and Mom went to dances, he never liked to sit out a single dance. He taught all his daughters to dance by putting their tiny feet on top of his own.

Dad retired in 1988 at which time he and Mom, took up golfing, a passion they both shared. They walked 9 holes of golf everyday May – October at Fairview Golf and walked the South Hill Mall daily through the winter. Dad achieved 3 holes-in-one all at the Fairview Golf Course! We are so proud of him. He continued his golf and mall walking right up to age 92.

Dad taught by example. After he moved to Birchview Home he ended up in a wheelchair, when a number of falls caused an increased concern about a significant injury. He was genuinely content. When asked if he could relive any part of his life what would it be? He answered, “now.”  When asked why, he simply said, “I’m happy.” Dad was always grateful for the people and the good things in his life. He was always willing to lend a hand not only to his family but also to friends and even strangers. He instilled the importance of being kind to others, saying often to treat them as you would want others to treat you.

The impact of his kindness and love could be keenly felt at his 90^th birthday celebration at River Breeze, when so many people came to his party and shared their favorite memories of Dad, saying how good he was to them and how much he affected their lives. His family couldn’t have agreed more. He lit up every room he was in and could always be counted on for a good joke and a smile.

Dad is lovingly remembered by his four daughters –

 Daughter – Dianne (Richard) Stobbs from Chicago IL and Granddaughter – Kim (Haven) Jacobs and (Great-grandson – Caeden and Great-granddaughter Tavin Jacobs) from St Albert, AB; and Great-granddaughter Tracy (Matt) Corcoran and (Great-great-granddaughters – Silver, Knightly, Great-great-grandsons Piercesin & Sterling Corcoran) from St. Alma SK; Granddaughter – Donna (Lindsey) Wall from Cochrane, AB and (Great-granddaughter – Taylor Wall & her Fiancé Mitchell Gushulak) from Edmonton, AB;

 Daughter – Debbie (Willie) Dorton from Prince Albert, SK, and Grandson – Ryan (Melissa) Dorton and (Great-grandson – Jacob and Great-granddaughter Sydney Dorton) from Medicine Hat, AB; Grandson – Chad (Krysta) Dorton and (Great-grandsons – Asher & Jaxon Dorton) from Sherwood Park, AB; and Granddaughter – Kristin Cloke from Red Deer, AB.

 Daughter – Karen (Ed) Buchholz from Saskatoon, SK, and Granddaughter – Nicole (Josh) Gitlin and (Great-grandson – Levi Gitlin) from Saskatoon, SK; Granddaughter – Megan (Chris) Carr and (Great-grandsons – Ben & Owen Carr) from Saskatoon, SK; and Granddaughter – Melanie (Cass) Cole from Saskatoon, SK.

 Daughter – Laurie (Norm) Domoslai and Granddaughter – Chelsey (Randy) Watchman and (Great-granddaughters – Eliana & McKenna & Great-grandsons Caleb & Rhys Watchman) from Prince Albert, SK; Grandson – Kyle (Joanne) Erickson and (Great-granddaughters – Cora, Danae, & Serafina Erickson) from Saskatoon, SK.

4 Daughters, 10 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, and 4 great-great-grandchildren, what a legacy!

He is also lovingly remembered by his three sisters – Kathleen Keenan, Joyce Johnston, and Margaret (Harry) Black plus many nieces and nephews.

Dad was predeceased by his loving wife Jean on October 5, 2016. He is also predeceased by his parents – Horace and Elizabeth Wootton, sisters-in-law – Mary (Peter) Mardell, Helen (Steve) Pasloski, and brothers-in-law – Stan Medynski and Ray Medynski, Sid Keenan, and Guy Johnston.

We cannot express enough, our gratitude towards the compassionate staff at Birchview Home. They went far above and beyond to make our dad feel like he was part of their family! The staff at Birchview are some of the kindest, most thoughtful, and compassionate people we have ever had the privilege of meeting and we are truly grateful for their amazing care home!

Should friends desire, Memorial contributions may be sent to Birchview Home, in Ken’s name, in lieu of flowers. Birchview Home, 7 Wilson Street, Birch Hills, SK, S0J 0G0.

There will be a private family celebration of Ken’s life held at a later date with an interment to follow. Online condolences may be left at https://www.arbormemorial.ca/en/riverpark/obituaries/ken-wootton/121072.html . Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the care of River Park Funeral Home, (306) 764-2727, Carla Jesso, Funeral Director, and Sarah Naytowhow.

 

Dad, thank you for teaching us the most important things in life by the way you lived yours!

• Date : 2024-03-15
• Location : Birch Hills, SK