Obituary of Garry Kohl

Garry Russell Kohl of Mankota, SK passed away on July 29, 2026 at the Pasqua Hospital surrounded by the love of his family. He was born in Kincaid, Saskatchewan, on September 13, 1945, to Agnes and Charles "Joker" Kohl. The youngest of five children, he was raised on the family farm and ranch in the Wideview district southwest of Mankota. He often spoke fondly of all the dogs and horses he had over the years. He attended country schools before the family moved to town in 1957, graduating from Mankota Central School in 1963.

After high school, Garry worked on oil rigs and pipelines throughout Saskatchewan and Alberta. He married Linda Hicks, and together they welcomed three daughters, Pattie, Carla, and Leanne. Before long, the call of country life brought him back to farming and ranching in the Wideview district. In the later years, Garry sold the farm and moved to Moose Jaw, where he worked for the PFRA.

Later, Garry returned to Mankota, where he met his lifelong partner, Mavis Moore. Together they welcomed their son, Dorian.  Mavis' daughter, Aislinn now had a brother. Mankota remained their home for the past 37 years.

A true jack-of-all-trades, Garry was a gifted welder who owned and operated a welding shop in Mankota for many years. There was rarely a job he couldn't tackle, and people knew they could count on him day or night to lend a helping hand. Throughout his life he worked in many trades, including ranching, dam building, road construction, gravel hauling, pipeline inspection, brine shrimp fishing and processing, Christmas tree harvesting, elevator demolition, and most recently, as a water truck and tow truck driver in Alberta.

The outdoors was where Garry was happiest. He was very skilled at breaking horses and broke many for the ranching operation. He loved hunting, trapping, fishing, horseback riding, and spending time on the land. Northern hunting and fishing trips with family and friends, country drives with old country music playing, and days spent around Mankota, Val Marie, and the local lakes were among his happiest memories. He had a remarkable knowledge of wildlife and nature and enjoyed sharing it with those around him.

Garry never met a stranger. He loved visiting with people, whether over coffee at the Paris Hotel or the Grasslands Inn, where stories and laughter were always plentiful. He was generous to a fault, always willing to help anyone in need. In his younger years he curled, played hockey and ball, remaining a devoted Blue Jays fan throughout his life. He loved a good game of crib as well as cards, reading Westerns and history, National Geographic magazines, and classic Western movies.

Community was important to Garry. Over the years he volunteered with several organizations, including the Borderland Wildlife Federation, and served as a Hunter Safety instructor with the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation, sharing his knowledge and passion for the outdoors with others.

Above all, Garry was proud of his children and their families and often spoke of how thankful he was for the lives they had built. Garry was kind, caring, tough, tender and rugged. He was never afraid to speak his mind. Garry was truly one of a kind and we will miss him forever.

Garry is lovingly remembered by his partner Mavis Moore; his daughter Pattie Vivier (Rob), granddaughter Shelby Haubrich (Cole), great-grandchildren Davis, Cohen, and Beckett; his daughter Carla Pinfold (Andre), granddaughter Andi Pinfold (Ryder), great grandchildren Ellie and Hudson; grandson Mitch Pinfold (Robbie), and great grandson Bowen; his daughter Leanne Topp (Jon), grandson Justin Topp and granddaughter Chloe Topp; his son Dorian Moore; Mavis' daughter, Aislinn Lawreniuk (Mike), grandchildren Hayden and Ashton; his sister Fernie Hanson; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his parents Charles "Joker" and Agnes (nee Hefner) Kohl; brother Glen Kohl; sisters Arlie Chambers and Nedra Cupples; brothers-in-law Doug Chambers, Howard Hanson and Bud Cupples; and his sister-in-law Elfrieda "Sal" Kohl.

A Graveside Service will be held on Saturday, August 22, 2026 at 2:00 pm at the Mankota Municipal Cemetery. Lunch and sharing of memories will follow at the Mankota Agricultural Hall.