Obituary of Leverne Silzer

LEVERNE JOHN SILZER

December 1, 1940 - September 14, 2022

Leverne was born on December 1, 1940 to John and Emelia Silzer in Gravelbourg, Saskatchewan. He grew up on the family farm and attended school at Maltby, Glen Bain, and then Gravelbourg High School. Leverne was baptized, confirmed, and a member of Trinity Lutheran Church. He was an active member of the Glen Bain 4-H Grain Club. After high school Leverne was employed with the PFRA in Gravelbourg for a few years and then managed the Glen Bain Co-op for 8 years. 

In 1961 a new schoolteacher (Fay) moved to Glen Bain and she caught the eye of the Co-op manager.  On January 5^th, 1962 while attending the Christmas concert, a winter storm caused a delay and Leverne asked if he could drive her home. This started their courtship, which led to a July 4, 1964 summer wedding at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Gravelbourg. They lived in the Co-op house in Glen Bain until the spring of 1972 when Leverne and Fay purchased the Pete Bonk farm, starting his farming career.  Leverne and Fay worked hard to develop a beautiful farmyard in which they took great pride. They were blessed with 3 children, Lisa (1970), Trevor (1973), and Sherri (1974); 10 grandchildren; and 4 great-granddaughters. They farmed until 2013, when they retired and moved into Swift Current.

Leverne was a very community orientated man and served on many local organizations, always willing to spend countless hours helping his community and fellow neighbors.  Leverne also drove school bus for 30 plus years, enjoying his time with the kids.

During Leverne’s leisure time he loved to hunt, fish, curl, play hockey, play cards, dancing, and wood working. He made sure that each of his children knew how to dance. Every Saturday night, Leverne and Fay listened to the Old Time Dance Party on the radio live from Yorkton. Spending time with family and friends was very important. Leverne’s faith was strong and attending church every Sunday was important to him, with Sunday family suppers always being a hit at the farm. The door to Leverne and Fay’s home was always open, and everybody was always welcome to stop by. Making homemade sausage every fall was a priority and Leverne made sure the grandchildren knew how to continue with this tradition. We were already making plans for this year’s sausage event. Many family camping trips were taken in Saskatchewan, Alberta, and British Columbia which has left us with great memories. Leverne and Fay even made a special trip to Norway in 2007.

Leverne was an avid Blue Jay’s and Rider’s fan. He loved to attend and watch curling, football, and hockey games that his grandchildren participated in. He knew what his family was up to at any given time. They were all his pride and joy. 

Leverne, you will be dearly missed. We will love you forever and see you again one day.

Leverne is survived by his wife Fay (Petterson), and their children Lisa (Steve) Riley (Dielle), Chandi (Ben) Goad, and Ty Kornfeld; Trevor(Leanne) Jaelyn, Landyn, Jaxyn, and Ethyn; and Sherri (Corey) Anthony, Ayden, and Tyler Lamarre; great granddaughters Drew and Merrit Kornfeld; Lola and Emery Goad. Also survived by his sister Rosalie (Daniel) Bender, their children Karianne (Dale) Lyndon, Kellen, and Jamieson Ross; Evan (Tara) Kaylee, Adalyn, and Dawsyn Bender; his nephews Kevin (Jackie) Shelby and her daughter Everleigh, and Lane Silzer; Jason (Sandi) Rylan and Brenna Silzer; a special uncle; two aunts; cousins; and close family friends.  Leverne was predeceased by his parents John and Emelia Silzer, brother and sister-in-law Wilmer and Connie Silzer and grandson Brayden Kornfeld.

Leverne is also survived by sisters-in-law Gladys Nikiforuk, Sonia (Ron) Hawgood, Alice (Jerry) Dutcyvich, Geraldine Kidson; brothers-in-law Ross (Donna) Petterson, Roy Petterson, Arnold (Ruth) Petterson, and numerous nieces and nephews. Also predeceased by his father and mother-in-law Gustave and Clara Petterson, and brothers and sisters-in-laws Zan Nikiforuk, Allan Petterson, Lloyd Petterson, Pearl and Ken Cranch, Shirley Petterson, Ron and Elsie Hepburn and Fern Petterson.