Mr. Kenneth “Ken” Cecil Getz, age 88, beloved husband of Mrs. Catherine “Pat” Getz of Birch Hills, SK passed away on Sunday, August 26, 2012. He was born in Clavet, SK on March 9, 1924. During the depression, drought and seven successive crop failures, his family had the opportunity to move to Birch Hills, in the fall of 1932 they moved to the “Old Farm”. He went to school in Birch Hills to grade 10 and then worked with his dad on the farm. Later he moved to BC to work on the Canadian National Railway as a pile driver operator building bridges. Ken came home to join his sweetheart Catherine Welch and they were married on October 22, 1949. Ken then started a position with the Saskatoon police department which lead to a full time position as a guard with the Prince Albert Correctional Centre. He was working a full time job, farming and also raising four children with his wife. In 1961 the family moved to Birch Hills to a new homestead east of main street. It was on this farm where Ken expanded his farming dream – of only farming. He was a true family man, respected his mom and dad, good to his children, enjoyed entertaining with extended family and friends. He loved to travel, loved the Saskatchewan Riders and enjoyed baseball, games of cards, shuffleboard and ping pong. He participated in curling and watching it on TV. Ken was a member of the National Farmer Union for many years, the Sask Flying Farmers he purchased a plane in 1970 and was part of the Birch Hills Airport group. He served as a member of the United Church, of the A.O.T.S. Men’s group, a member of the United Grain Grower’s local board, active in local and provincial politics, member of Rape seed Grower’s Association and a Director of the Prairie Malt Board. Ken is survived by his family: his loving wife of 62 years of marriage Pat; his son David (Brenda) Getz, their daughters Lesli Ann (Bryce Macleod) [great-grandchildren Griffen, McKenna, Kennedy, Hayden]; Tracy; Carlene (Greg) Swales [great-grandchild Kohl]; their son Graham; his daughter Karyn Warder, her son Todd [great-grandchild Tawnee], her daughter Kristen; his son Ray (Chris) Getz and son Avery and daughter Mandi; his daughter Lorie (Don) Swenson, their daughters Lisa (Kelly) LaBrash [great-granddaughter Emma], Stephanie and Erica; his sister Pauline Neilson as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents Amzi and Anna (nee Sieg); his brother Merle; his sister Opal; his granddaughter Hillary Swenson; his sisters-in-law Eva Getz, Lily Welch, Anne Welch, Marge Bridge; his brothers-in-law Jim Welch, Dick Welch, Tommy Welch, Jerry Welch, Herbert Bridge, Al Yeaman, Morris Thoms, Jack Chapman, George Neilson. Memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 30 from the Birch Hills Lutheran Church. Mr. Eldon Danielson will officiate. A private family interment of cremated remains took place in the Garden of Christus, Prince Albert Memorial Gardens. It is the family’s request that those wishing to place memorials may do so to the Cancer Research in care of the Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon. Family and friends may send email condolences to www.riverparkfuneral.ca

• Date : 2012-08-26 06:00:00