1933 – 2013

It is with great sadness that the family of Merle George announce his passing at the Victoria Hospital on Monday, July 22, 2013 at the of 79 with his family by his side. Merle was born August 23, 1933 to Frank and Arlene George in Vanscoy, SK. They lived and farmed near Vanscoy, Fenton and then Foxford. His father passed away when Merle was only 9 and his mother, 2 small sisters and Merle moved to Prince Albert. His mother bought a big house on the hill and took in boarders for many years to raise her family. Merle was a handy man even then, when the only switch to the basement was downstairs, he put one in at the top. He later re-wired the whole house for her. While he was as a school boy, he was a Daily Herald Carrier, and prided himself in having John Diefenbaker as one of his customers. After high school Merle worked for Singer Sewing Machines and then for the Royal Bank in Prince Albert and Lanigan, SK. Within a couple of years he began his wonderful career with Sask Tel. He installed and repaired commercial phones and switchboards in Prince Albert and as far away as Uranium City. Everyone knew him and he loved going to work. Merle retired from Sask Tel in September 1987. Merle and Eleanor had been travelling in the winter while he worked, going to Portugal, Texas. In 1987 they began a six month stay in Fort Myers for 25 years. He loved to square dance and had great fun travelling this area and also going to Penticton a few times. Merle totally remodeled their home in Prince Albert, co-built 3 homes at Candle Lake with his 2 brothers-in-law and built furniture for his sons. Merle married his beloved wife Eleanor (Krieter) on July 3, 1954 at the Wesley United Church in Prince Albert. It was the second wedding and the first reception in the new church. They celebrated their 59th anniversary on July 3, 2013 at the hospital, listening to music with Jack and Dolly Hogaboam from Saskatoon. Merle is survived by his wife Eleanor; his 2 sons Curtis (Estelle) George from Winnipeg, MB and Les (Tami) George from Saskatoon, SK; his sisters Iris (Sam) Smith and their children, Loretta and Kevin, Loretta’s children, Sheldon (Patricia) Stevenson (& children Emily and Sam), Charmaine Stevenson and her children Madison and Macyayle and his sister Evelyn and children Susan (Murray) Ross and children Connor and Colin, Cindy (Ed) and Dan (Charlene) Kukac,; Eleanor’s sister and brothers-in-law and brother Frank (Audrey); his 2 adopted granddaughters in Florida, Desi Graves and Deanne Goodluners, he was “Papa” to them both since they were born. Merle was predeceased by his father Frank George; his mother Arlene George; an infant brother; his grandparents Virgil and Leona Myers; his uncle and aunt Kenny and Blanche Myers; his cousins Wayne Myers, Dwight Myers, Derle (Daniel) Myers, Kenny Myers. Tom and Laura George; brother-in-law Frank Kukac; as well as many relatives in Iowa, USA. Please join our family to Celebrate Merle’s Life at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 27, 2013 at Grays Funeral Chapel, 575 – 28th 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 the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Saskatchewan, 279 – 3rd Avenue N, Saskatoon, SK S7K 2H8. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.grays.ca. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Gray's Funeral Chapel, Lorne Adams, Funeral Director.
 

• Date : 2013-07-22 06:00:00
• Location : Prince Albert, SK