Obituary of Elton Hill

With heavy hearts, we announce that Elton Norman Hill, of Ogema, Saskatchewan, passed away on Saturday, September 12, 2026, at the age of 90 years.

Predeceased by his wife Pat; his parents Bud and Marion Hill; in-laws Clarence and Mary Shaw; sister Irene Claffey; brothers-in-law Duane Claffey, Joe Shaw, Lawrence Johnson; and sister-in-law Audrey Johnson.

He is survived by his second wife Jean McKerricher-Hill; two children David (Nola) Hill and Charlene (Colin) Guraluick; three granddaughters Ashley (Daniel) Hill-Boudreau, Kaylan (Joel) Fisher, Brittney (Andrew) Gay; two grandsons Cody (Kaitlin) Guraluick, Tyson Guraluick (Sarah Hoag); eight great-grandchildren Olivier and Elodie Boudreau, Ada and Henry Fisher, Curren and Cora Gay, Nash and Gunnar Guraluick; Sister-in-law Dolly Shaw, numerous cousins, nieces and nephews; and his extended family – McKerricher families.

Elton was born on July 31, 1936, at Bures, Sask. He attended Adell School, then worked at PFRA Pasture, and seismograph in Albert. In 1958, he returned home, married Pat Shaw and began living on a farm ½ mile from his parents' farm. They spent the next 50 years raising their family and developing their farm and running a mixed farming operation, making this their life. He farmed side by side with his dad, had a great working relationship for 24 years, then Bud and Marion moved to Ogema and his son David and Nola took over their farm and kept the tradition going, working with Elton side by side for the next 39 years.

In 2008, Pat passed away, and he remarried Jean McKerricher in 2009, and they continued to farm until 2021, at which time they retired to Ogema. They were faithful spectators at all their grandchildren and great-grandchildren’s extracurricular activities, piano recitals, dance recitals and sport days, etc.

Elton was very involved in the community, as well as the Ogema Agriculture Society, Odd Fellows Lodge, and Deep South Pioneer Museum. In his spare time, he enjoyed doing woodwork, making various items like cabins and bird houses out of 100-year-old cedar fence posts and other beautiful creations. Through the years, he enjoyed rodeos, anything horse-related, bowling, dancing, playing cards and visiting over a cup of coffee or whiskey, depending on the time of day!

He was always willing to lend a helping hand to a neighbour or friend, whether it was by fixing a tire, welding, working cows, cutting grass, or fixing at the museum, or just whatever they needed help with.

His contributions to our lives are innumerable, and we are so lucky to have had him as a husband, dad, and grandpa. We know that where he is, the rodeo is never a repeat, the coffee is always fresh, and the crocuses are always in bloom.

A funeral service will be held Tuesday, September 22, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at the Ogema Heritage Hall. Memorial donations in Elton’s memory can be made to the Deep South Pioneer Museum, Box 185, Ogema, SK, S0C 1Y0.