Gisi Lee
1927 ~ 2024

Dad was born on October 18, 1927, in Estevan, Saskatchewan, to his parents, Sackes and Helen Gisi. He was the first of four children, followed by Harold, Barbara, and Victor. He spent his first few years in the Estevan area before moving north to the Tisdale area where the family homestead was established. Life was hard in those days; breaking treed land to make way for farming was a tough way to grow up. This is where his hard work ethic and ambition began that would continue throughout his life. Farming became his main vocation and, despite ventures out into the world of different careers, farming would always remain the backbone of what he was. If he could, he would still been driving the tractor up until his last days.

In 1944 at 17 years old, he joined the military during World War II, and quickly rose through the ranks in the reserves. He would remain in the reserve forces for the rest of his life. Military history was always a big interest for him as you could tell from his extensive library of books and artifacts.

Looking over the top of a grain truck one day Dad met a young teacher named June Schmidt from Snowden, SK. Shortly after they were married on July 12, 1949. They resided in Tisdale, then Clemenceau, SK, where they welcomed daughter Teri Lee, and then Darla. Hudson Bay, SK, is where son Brent joined the family, and finally the family made their home in Prince Albert in 1966 when Dad got a job with the start-up pulp mill, first scaling timber then working in the steam plant where he became a 3rd class engineer.

Organizing – whether it be unions or power and telephone service to remote areas, Knights of Columbus locals, or the East End community club – was always a driving force and helping people was always first at hand. For his dedication to volunteer service, he was awarded the Saskatchewan Volunteer Medal in 1997 from then premier Roy Romanow, an event he held dear to his heart.

Politics was also another interest that he pursued. Being a three-time Prince Albert city councillor attested his dedication to the community and those around him. He even was lucky enough to have a street named after him! He was always ready to take calls from the people he represented, even those who didn’t live in his ward.

After retirement, at the tender age of 72, Mom and Dad continued to live in their home on 3rd Street. After Mom’s passing in 2013, Dad remained in the home he adored until 2021 at which time, at the age of 93, decided it was time to downsize and moved to Points West Living. He would eventually settle in and make new friends through their various activities and call it home until his passing.

Dad was predeceased by our mom, June (née Schmidt); his parents, Sackes and Helen (née Stepp); his brother, Harold (Eve); sister, Barbara (David MacLeod); brother, Victor (Doreen); and daughter-in-law, Nadia (née Hryciw).

He is survived by his daughter, Teri Lee (Paul) Popil of Prince Albert and their children, Kelly (Rob) Caruk & family of Saskatoon, and Blair (Wassana) & family of Perth, Australia; daughter, Darla (Dave) Urscheler and their children, Ryan, and Michele (Brent) Loewen & their family, all of Saskatoon; son, Brent (Alison) and daughter, Victoria (Nolan) MacDonald & family of Prince Albert; as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews.

We would like to thank the wonderful staff of the Victoria Hospital 5th floor as well as the staff at the Rose Garden Hospice for their compassion in his last days.

Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to the Rose Garden Hospice, 500 38th Street West, Prince Albert, SK, S6W 0A3.

The Funeral Service for Lee will be held at 1:30 p.m., on Thursday, December 12, 2024, at St. Joseph Parish, 260 25 Street East, Prince Albert, SK, with Rev. Fr. Jim Kaptein officiating. Interment to follow at Prince Albert Memorial Gardens. Online condolences may be left at https://www.arbormemorial.ca/en/riverpark/obituaries/lee-gisi/133469.html . Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the care of River Park Funeral Home, (306) 764-2727, Colette Harnett, Funeral Director.

• Date : 2024-12-05
• Location : Prince Albert, SK