Obituary of Albert "Ab" Joseph ARNOLD

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Ab Arnold on Monday, May 20, 2013 at the age of 86. Ab was predeceased by his parents Carl and Lydia Arnold, his siblings Frieda, Otto, Clifford, Gilbert, Richard, Robert, Sylvia and Marvin, great-granddaughter Kristin, an infant daughter, several brothers and sisters-in-law and one nephew. Ab was born, fifth in his family, on the family farm in the Shamrock District on October 8, 1926 and lived in that area for many years before moving to Moose Jaw, Swift Current, back to Moose Jaw and to Assiniboia, with his final move to the Foyer at Gravelbourg in January of this year. He followed in his father's footsteps and spent much of his career in the cattle business. His journey also included farming, owning a store, serving in a bar, carpentry, owning an auction mart, brand inspecting, - a jack of many trades, all done with his hard work ethic and high standards. In 1947 he married Mary Anne Forest in a double wedding ceremony at the Gravelbourg Cathedral. Together they had three daughters Diane, Debby and Brenda. Family was so very important to Ab. He cherished time with his brothers and sisters and later on with his own children and their families. The birth of his first grandchild in 1970 was celebrated as was the birth of each of his 12 grandchildren through to the last one in 1990. Grandchildren may have stopped coming but very soon after that his 16 great-grandchildren started to arrive with his most recent great- granddaughter arriving in March of this year. His hobbies over the years included card playing, playing baseball and cheering on the Blue Jays, curling, golfing, travelling, dancing, occasionally fishing, some camping and attending cattle auctions. In 1994 he married Ellen Booth and moved to Assiniboia where he resided until developing health problems in November 2012. Ab will be dearly missed by his wife Ellen, his daughters, Diane (John) Dinzey of Crossfield, Debby (Ian) Fraser of Crossfield and Brenda (Daryl) Lowenberg of Grenfell, his brother Fred Arnold and sister Lil (Warren) Glascock all of Moose Jaw. He is also survived by his grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews, step-children and step-grandchildren and extended family, too many to name. The family would like to extend their thanks to the staff at The Foyer and Hospital in Gravelbourg for the special care and kindness shown to Ab. The United Church Funeral Service to say farewell to Ab was held on Friday, May 24, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. in the St. George Roman Catholic Church in Assiniboia, Sask. with Reverend Marilyn Leuty officiating. Albert’s seven grandsons served as pallbearers with his five granddaughters serving as honorary pallbearers. Dwight Nichol gave the eulogy for his grandfather at the service. Bible readings were done by granddaughters, Denita Morin and Jenny Selinger. Ab was then laid to rest close to his parents and other family members at the Shamrock Cemetery. Donations in Memory of Albert may be made to St. Joseph’s Hospital/Foyer d’Youville Foundation in Gravelbourg or St. Paul’s United Church in Assiniboia. Arrangements entrusted to Piché-Hawkins-Grondin Funeral Chapels, Assiniboia. Online condolences may be shared at www.pichehawkinsgrondinfuneralchapels.ca.