Obituary of Kevin Printz

Kevin Garnet Printz of Gravelbourg, SK, died tragically in a car accident on Saturday, April 26, 2014, at the age of 20 years. Kevin was born in Swift Current, SK, on March 2, 1994. He was joyfully welcomed by his parents Garnet and Bertha (nee Birss) Printz, and his two older sisters, Christine and Chelsea. From a young age, Kevin was a farm boy. He refused to go to daycare, preferring to spend his days riding on the tractor with his dad. Throughout elementary and high school Kevin enjoyed sports, music, electronics, driving and socializing. The search for Kevin’s first car began long before driving even started, and the purchase of his first car came long before his driver’s licence. Kevin could spend hours tinkering on his car, often cleaning and washing, and always taking pictures when he was done. Throughout high school Kevin played hockey with the Gravelbourg Stars. Many championships were won during this time, and this was exciting for Kevin and his friends. After graduating from high school in 2012, Kevin moved to Vermillion, AB, and was enrolled in the Crop Technology diploma program at Lakeland College. After completing his first year in Vermillion, Kevin returned home to farm for the summer. His love for the farm outweighed his love for school, and he made the decision not to return to Lakeland in the fall. Kevin made sure that the crop was in the bin before he went to Saskatoon for the winter. There, Kevin found a job at the Case New Holland factory and began work on the corn planter line. Come the end of March, Kevin left the city lights for some farm work and spent the past month preparing for "#plant14.” He was excited for their new drill and spent many hours working hard to make sure they were ready to go as soon as the weather turned nice. Kevin always spoke of the future and how he couldn’t wait to live in an area where there were so many young farmers, including some of his best friends. Kevin had matured so much in the last year and was ready to take on the responsibility of the farm. Kevin and Garnet worked as a team and enjoyed each other’s company. Their relationship truly went beyond father and son, they were partners and best friends. Kevin loved people. No one was too young or too old for Kevin to visit with, and he always made sure to include everyone in his circle. Kevin always made people feel special when he spoke to them, and they truly were special to him. Kevin was known for his sense of humor and how he loved to tease everyone. Kevin’s family quickly learned to have all of their electronics password protected to ward off any false engagements or break-ups. He also was known to advertise a "steal of a deal” on Kijiji, even if your vehicle wasn’t for sale, and to lick the icing out of all the Oreo’s before carefully returning them to the box. Kevin’s sense of humor and spirit brought so much joy into the lives of his family and friends, and will continue to do so as they remember all the many ways that he enriched their lives. 20 years is truly too young to leave this earth, but Kevin’s life was filled with love, laughter and good times. Kevin’s life has now become a memory, and that memory is the greatest treasure that his family and friends have. Kevin’s family never left each other without saying I love you, so one last time, "We Love You, Kevy.” Kevin is survived by his loving family, father Garnet Printz (Kate Thomson); sisters Christine Printz, Chelsea Printz (Derek Nichol); grandmother Lillian Birss; aunts and uncles Judy (Bernie) Morin, Jerry (Edith) Printz, Steven (Mary) Birss, Scott (Maggie) Birss, Donald Birss, Ken (Tracy) Birss; cousins Mark (Shelley) Morin, Valerie (Josh) Watson, Trevor (Jen) Morin, Justin Morin, Garth (Megan) Printz, Kurt Printz (Jamie), Willie Birss, Rhéanne Birss, Preston Birss, Davin Birss, Parker Birss, Macy Birss, and Mary’s children. He is predeceased by his mother Bertha Printz (2003); grandparents Mary and August Printz, Jim Birss. Visitation was held on Friday, May 2, 2014, at 7:30 p.m., and Funeral Mass on Saturday, May 3, 2014, at 11:00 a.m., both at Our Lady of the Assumption Co-Cathedral, Gravelbourg, SK. Celebrant was Bishop Don Bolen. Cross bearer was Mark Morin. Readers were Willie Birss and Kurt Printz. Prayers of the faithful were shared by Jerry Printz and Ken Birss. Offertory gifts were presented by Judy and Bernie Morin. Music was played by Leanne Mann. Honorary pallbearers were "All those Kevin touched with his smile.” Active pallbearers were Paul Carrobourg, Eric Stewart, Cole Gaucher, Nikolas Otterson, Jordan Mann, Trenton Zakaluzny, Justin Boire and Preston Dorgan. The eulogy was shared by Christine Printz and Chelsea Printz. Memorial donations in memory of Kevin to the Kevin Printz Memorial Fund, Box 1139, Gravelbourg, SK S0H 1X0, were greatly appreciated. Online condolences can be shared at www.pichehawkinsgrondinfuneralchapels.ca. Funeral arrangements entrusted to Piche-Hawkins-Grondin Funeral Chapels, Assiniboia & Gravelbourg.