Obituary of Roger JALBERT

Roger Rene Jalbert of Lafleche, SK, passed away on Monday, December 9, 2013, at the age of 76 years. Roger, son of Eli and Laura (nee Charboneau) Jalbert, was born on December 27, 1936, in Lafleche. He was the second youngest in a family of nine children. Roger received his education through Dorgan School and College Mathieu. He grew up on the family farm in the Waverly RM and throughout his teenage years worked as a farm hand for different farmers in the area. Roger met Jeannine Briere through her brothers when he was 15 years old. Six years later, on August 30, 1958, they were married in Lafleche. Shortly after they moved to Regina, where Roger had been apprenticing as a carpenter. Their first daughter, Sherri, was born in 1959. Jeannine’s father became ill, so they moved to Lafleche to work on the family farm. Four more children then followed: Karen, Daniel, Lee Anne, and Cathy were born. In the 1960’s Roger started his own backhoe business, and in 1971 the family decided to move to Calgary. Roger continued to be a heavy machinery operator until he suffered a heart attack in 1989, sending him to an early retirement. In 1998, Roger and Jeannine decided to leave the busy city and moved back to the quiet country life of Thomson Lake, SK. Roger enjoyed fishing, hunting, spending time with his family and visiting with friends. He loved to play crib and marbles, and if there were three people around he was waiting at the marble board to take on his next opponent. He enjoyed the marble game so much that he made game boards for all of his family members to have, so that he could play wherever he went. Roger would not miss his morning coffee and he loved going to Johnny’s Café, where he played crib and always had his daily crop report ready at harvest time. Roger was actively involved in the Club 50 in Lafleche, enjoyed taking his turn delivering Meals on Wheels and watering the flower pots at the lake. He loved living at Thomson Lake and could often be heard rambling down the road in his golf cart. Roger was a quiet presence in his family’s lives, and always showed them his patience, forgiveness and unconditional love. Roger will be dearly missed by his family and friends. Roger is survived by his loving wife of 55 years Jeannine (nee Briere) Jalbert ; daughter Sherri (Glenn) Sproule, granddaughter Jacobie (Tyler), granddaughter Samantha (Rob), great grandchildren Darian, Hunter, Harper, granddaughter Laurenne (Adam), great grandchildren Chase, Brody; daughter Karen (Kevin) Asselstine, grandson David (Tara), great grandchildren Emily, Lexie, Scarlett, granddaughter Megan (Abe); son Daniel Jalbert; daughter Lee Anne Patterson (Tom); grandchildren Adam (Pauline), Nicole (Luke); daughter Cathy (Terry) Kirkpatrick, granddaughters Chloë (Dayton), Eilysh (Mac); brothers Etienne (Simone), Omer (Marcella), Julien (Yvonne); sisters Henriette, Estelle, Laurette (Alex), Irene (Lloyd); sister-in-law Ruby. Predeceased by his parents Eli and Laura (nee Charboneau) Jalbert; brother Wilfred; brothers-in-law Bill Buddecke, Fred Ward, Pat Morin, Russ Patterson. Funeral Mass was celebrated of Saturday, December 14, 2013, at 1:00 p.m. at Ste Radegonde Roman Catholic Church, Lafleche, SK, with Father Maurice Minne celebrant. The eulogy was shared by Glenn Sproule. Readers were Terry Kirkpatrick and Kevin Asselstine. Prayers of the faithful were shared by Roger’s Grandchildren. Offertory gifts were presented by Chloë Kirkpatrick and Eilysh Kirkpatrick. Music was shared by Jackie Poirier, Terry Kirkpatrick and Sherry Sproule. Urn bearer was Daniel Jalbert. An honour guard was formed by the Knights of Columbus. Honorary pallbearer were Mark Jalbert, Marc Briere, Emile Briere, Pierre Jalbert, Tim Morin and Stan Hicks. Interment took place at the Lafleche Roman Catholic Cemetery. Memorial donations in memory of Roger to the Heart & Stroke Foundation, 279 3rd Ave. N., Saskatoon, SK S7K 2H9, the Canadian Cancer Society, 61B Ross St. W., Moose Jaw, SK S6H 2M2, and Masses were greatly appreciated. Online condolences can be shared at www.pichehawkinsgrondinfuenralchapels.ca. Funeral arrangements entrusted to Piche-Hawkins-Grondin Funeral Chapels, Assiniboia & Gravelbourg.