Westgard – Larry “Dale”

Dale was born February 9, 1948, in Eston, SK to Henry and Anna Westgard. They lived at White Bear, SK until 1956 when they moved to Leader, SK. He did not like school much so he had quit and went out to work. Over the years he worked oil rigs, construction (road building), heavy equipment operator & mechanic. He never did have a mechanic ticket due to his dislike for schooling but could repair any heavy equipment he tackled. He had a lot of tickets in his life, but a heavy equipment mechanic ticket was not one of them.

He worked a lot of years at Points North in Northern Saskatchewan. Over those years he would either quit or his brother Bob would fire him, and within a week they would phone for him to come back. Sometimes he would go right back up and sometimes he would let them “stew” for a while. He also at one time had a dragline and dug dugouts for farmers. He decided to go trucking and haul gravel. He had a semi and a belly dump trailer then changed to a different semi with an end dump trailer. He hauled gravel until he decided to retire.

When Dale came to Canwood he was working for a construction company building the new highway. He made a lot of good friends and probably a few enemies, but Dale would always call a spade a spade, no beating around the bush. If he didn’t like someone they knew it, his friends were friends for life. Over the years Dale pulled many of pranks on many people around Canwood. Way too many to start listing. Many people reading this know a lot of them or were recipients of those pranks.

It was in Canwood where he met and married Gail (Thall). Dale loved kids and he would load up his jeep with the boys and take them cruising. We are quite sure those boys who are now men in their 30’s, 40’s and 50’s can recite Dale’s poetry and sing his little songs, and some can probably even call a square dance.

His love of children grew even more with the birth of every grandchild. He was such a proud Papa. He was also blessed with a great grandson, Barrett Penner two months ago.

Dale loved hunting, fishing, camping and spent lots of time at Ernest & Peggy’s “Shack Tent” in Waskesiu. He was even a good seamstress and would borrow Monica’s sewing machine to repair his work clothes and that was a good thing because Gail couldn’t sew a button on properly.

Dale is survived by his wife Gail Westgard; his son Jonathan (Michelle) Thall and their children, Cheyenne (Kevin) Penner and Gunner Thall and great grandson Barrett Penner, daughter Llewella (Rob Hundt) and son Craig (Susan) and their children Luke and Kara; his in-laws, Gary (Karen) Thall and family; his brothers, Bruce (Sylvia), Richard, Garry, Stan, Emery and Curtis (Debbie); his sisters Lillian and Marjorie (Rodger Boylan); his sister-in-laws, MaryAnn and Linda; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Dale was predeceased by his parents Anna and Henry Westgard; his brothers Bob, Ron, and Norris; his sister Annette (Kallechy); his in-laws Lewis Kallechy, Elsie Westgard and Ernest and Peggy Thall; as well as some of his nieces and nephews.

Dale will always be remembered for his love of family and friends, his sense of humor, his unforgettable laugh, his little poems and songs, Merle Haggard tunes, watching the Blue Jays ball games and his love of Pilsner. He passed away just the way he would have wanted, it was fast and he did not have to suffer. He left us with a lot of great memories. He will always be loved by family and friends and will never be forgotten.

There will be a private family service held at a later date. In lieu of tributes, memorial donations may be made in memory of Dale to MS Canada. Family and friends wishing to send online condolences are welcome to visit www.beaulacfuneralhome.com Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Beau “Lac” Funeral Home & Crematorium, Lynn Anderson, Funeral Director, Canwood, SK 306-468-2244.

• Date : 2023-06-01
• Location : Canwood