Obituary of Jules Rivard

“Driver of Trucks, Cats, Euclids, Builder of Steel, Iron, Farmer of Grain, Livestock, Chickens and Geese”

Jules passed away on Thursday, October 24, 2024, at the Lafleche and District Health Centre, Lafleche, SK at the age of 92. He was born on June 23, 1932, on the family farm at Fir Mountain, SK. He was the first son of Art and Leonie (Dumont) Rivard. Jules’ early years were spent immersed in rural life. He began his schooling in Lafleche, later attending Plessis and Gravelbourg schools, where he completed his education in 1949. After school, he took on various jobs, hauling coal, water, and supplies in Torquay, SK before returning to the family farm to work alongside his father. Eventually, he purchased the home half of N 6-6-4, spending a lifetime farming in the Plessis district. In addition to farming, Jules was a skilled mechanic and metal fabricator, known for designing and repairing machinery for others in the community. He also worked in road construction, dug numerous dugouts, and cleaned grain.

In 1967, Jules met Lorraine Heiberg, through friends and family in Regina, SK. They were married on June 28, 1969, in Saskatoon, SK where Lorraine’s uncle, Father Don McIntosh, officiated. Together, they raised four sons: Joe, Paul, Ken, and Don, on the family farm. The boys grew up actively taking part in school and community sports, especially hockey and baseball.

Jules is remembered as a hardworking farmer, mechanic, skilled craftsman, and friend who believed in helping his neighbours. The family would like to thank the doctors, the nurses, and the staff at the Lafleche and District Health Centre for the wonderful care extended to Jules.

Jules is survived by his wife, Lorraine Rivard; son Joseph (Wendy) Rivard, granddaughters Cassidy (Austin), Kinley (Justin) and great-granddaughter Sloane, granddaughters Courtney, and Karly; son Paul Rivard; son Kenneth (Teresa deceased 2023) Rivard, granddaughters Ariel (Brett), Rylee, and Charley; son Donald Rivard (Charlene). He also leaves to mourn his sisters, Cecile Gauthier and Juliette Nogue; brother, Leo (Thérèse) Rivard; sisters-in-law, Mary Heiberg and Fran Icard; brother-in-law, Donald Icard; numerous nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his parents, Arthur and Léonie Rivard; sisters, Alice (Slim) Hill, Antoinette (Omer) Lagassé, Thérèse (René) Lorrain, and Gisele (Emile) Lagassé; and brothers-in-law, Raymond Gauthier and Louis Nogue.

A Celebration of Jules Life will be held on Friday, November 15, 2024 at 2:00 pm in the Wood River Memorial Hall, Lafleche, SK.