Obituary of Wes Reader

Thomas Wesley Reader of Lafleche, SK passed away on Tuesday, August 28, 2018, at the age of 91. Wes was born in Lafleche, SK on November 9, 1926. He was the third of three sons born to Thomas and Ruth (nee Southam) Reader. He grew up on the family farm and attended school at Pinto Valley and Woodrow. After completing his education, Wes helped on the farm until he acquired land of his own and, perhaps even a greater passion, his own cattle herd. Wes developed a love and great skill for baseball and curling. His baseball career started when he was fourteen. His first team was a Woodrow team and he went on to play with several teams over the years, including the Assiniboia Aces. If you were the pitcher you wanted to be ready to duck when this straight aim shortstop fired to first base. Finally, Wes played and was involved with the Flintoft Twiliters Ball Club for 30 years. The curling years started at age 10 and concluded when he was 65 years old, providing many years of fun and success. Wes was an enthusiastic hunter and enjoyed everything from elk to geese. Wes married Leona Dorgan on June 18, 1960, at the Meyronne United Church. They were blessed with three children, Bradley in 1963, Kim in 1966, and Keri in 1972. Wes and Leona lived in Meyronne for the first seven years of their marriage so that Leona could be close to her job at the bank and Wes drove out to the farm south of Woodrow. In 1967, Wes and Leona moved from Meyronne to a new home they had built on their farm south of Woodrow. They moved from the farm into Lafleche in 2000, and Wes continued to farm from town. In recent years Wes shifted his focus to gardening. He enjoyed spending time outdoors and sharing his garden produce with family and friends. Wes is survived by his loving family, wife of 58 years Leona; son Bradley (Lynn), granddaughters Shenae, Skylae, Tkeyae; daughter Kim (Ted) Kent, grandchildren Mackenzie, Carter; daughter Keri, grandson Tyson. Funeral Service was held on Saturday, September 1, 2018, 10:30 a.m., at the Wood River Memorial Hall, Lafleche, SK. Officiants were Reverend Janelle Shaw and Reverend Linda Tomlinson-Seebach. Music was shared by Sherry Sproule and Wes’s Granddaughters. The eulogy was given by Jackie Dorgan and a tribute was shared by Kelly Yorga. An honour guard was formed by the Flintoft Twiliters. Honourary pallbearers were Dale Reader, Clint Thierman, Roy Burns, Jackie Dorgan, Garth Dorgan, Bonnie Dorgan, and Bill Dorgan. Active pallbearers were Tyson Reader, Carter Kent, Don Fauser, Lynda Reader, Allan Reader, and Sterling McIvor. Interment took place at the Woodrow Municipal Cemetery.