Obituary of Elmer FOLEY

Elmer Joseph Foley of Coronach, SK, passed peacefully surrounded by his family, on July 9, 2013, at the age of 89 years. Elmer was born in Willow Bunch, SK on August 31, 1923, to Michael and Mary Foley. Tragedy struck Elmer's family when his father died in 1940. At age 16, Elmer and his siblings were required to help their mother keep the family farm going. He soon learned the value of hard work and a strong family circle. At this time, his love of horses and racing horses developed. In 1951, he married Helen Noll and they started cattle and grain farming. Children arrived to complete their family: a son John, another son Kevin, a daughter Jeannie, a son Greg, a daughter Barbara, and a son Tim. Elmer served many years as a rural municipal councillor making many lifelong friends. With the import of a Simmental heifer from Switzerland, Elmer began to build a full blood Simmental herd. He then started selling his beloved Simmental bulls near and far, enjoying many visits with his bull buyers. He spent many happy hours feeding and grooming his cattle well into his late eighties. Elmer’s love of grain farming also continued in his later years, even to last fall when he ran the combine during harvest. Elmer was a strong, proud man with a soft heart and he had an ability to lighten any situation with wit and humor. He was fiercely proud of being Irish and St. Patrick’s Day was always a cause for celebration and the wearing of the green. Elmer had a deep passion for farming, his family and his friends, and most importantly, he had an unwavering faith. Elmer is survived by his loving family, wife of 61 years Helen; children John (Gail) Foley; Kevin (Delee) Foley; Jeannie (Bill) Gardiner; Gregory (Sherri) Foley; Barbara (Gary) Diebel; Timothy (Carla) Foley; grandchildren Jennifer Foley, Marsha (Preston) Warken, Jason Foley, Justin (Chantel) Foley, Michael Foley (friend Mindy), Jesse Foley, Mikayla Foley, Terrill (Lisa) Foley, Tyrin Foley, Meaghan Gardiner (friend Drew), Mallory Gardiner, Billie Jean Gardiner, Breanne Gardiner, Josh Foley, Ty Foley (fiancée Jill), Brody Foley, Jamie (Danette) Spagrud, Cassandra Spagrud (friend Trent), Elena Diebel, Liam Diebel, Catlin Foley, Garrett Foley, Preston Foley, Dakota Foley, Sommer Foley; great grandchildren Khanesia Warken, Bodyn Warken, Zoe Spagrud; siblings Patricia Jones, Father John Foley, Kathleen Jones, Carl (Francoise) Foley; sisters-in-law Berniece Foley, Mary (Tony) Gusikoski; brother-in-law Jack (Lillian) Noll. Predeceased by his parents Michael and Mary Foley; brother Clarence Foley; brothers-in-law Charles Jones, Russell Jones. Funeral Mass was celebrated on Saturday, July 13, 2013, at 2:00 p.m. at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Roman Catholic Church, Coronach, SK, with celebrants Father Andrew Pawlowicz and Father John Foley. Memorial donations in memory of Elmer can be made to the STARS Ambulance Service, 2640 Airport Road, Regina, SK S4W 1A3 and the Marian Centre, 1835 Halifax Street, Regina, SK S4P 1T4. Funeral arrangements entrusted to Piche-Hawkins-Grondin Funeral Chapels, Assiniboia & Gravelbourg.