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March 29, 2024 03:59

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Michael Alan Nelson

Our beloved father, Michael Alan Nelson, passed away peacefully in November, 2019 at 93 years of age.

Dad was born in Wakaw, Saskatchewan, where his parents, Mary Markowski and Philip Nykyforuk, began their life together in Canada. As a young boy growing up during the 1930’s Depression, Dad helped out (and just hung out) at the Wakaw hardware store – owned and run jointly by his father and Uncle Walter.

Mike was a proud graduate of the University of Saskatchewan – BSc Mechanical Engineering ’47, BEd ’52. While attending university, he spent one summer during WWII in the Canadian Naval Reserve in Esquimalt, B.C. After graduating, his career included positions in Saskatoon as Chief Engineer at St. Paul’s Hospital and Chair of the Adult Education Program – Extension Division, Kelsey Institute. After retiring, he and our mother moved from Saskatoon to Kelowna, B.C. and later, Calgary, Alberta.

Dad was both an educator and life-long learner and always willing to share his experience and knowledge with others. He will be remembered as resourceful, capable and hard-working. He put his engineering expertise to work with many pursuits. Just after marriage, he constructed the interior of the first family home in Regina, and later, built a summer cabin at Wakaw Lake and spent many years enjoying time with family there. He was always available to help with projects for friends and family, and was an accomplished woodworker.

Dad was able to laugh at adversity and could find the silver lining or at least, the irony in the face of life’s challenges. Even in his final years, he kept his sense of humour and mischief – if only for the benefit of family and his caregivers.

Dad was an active member of many communities including the United Church of Canada, Boy Scouts of Canada, Kiwanis Club (Saskatoon) and Probus Club (Saskatoon). He was an avid spectator of curling and junior hockey, and even while residing in B.C. and Alberta, remained a loyal fan of the Saskatchewan Roughriders. He enjoyed time in the outdoors, camping, fishing, travel, music, the study of geography, discussing politics and current events.

Dad was predeceased by our Mom, his loving wife of 62 years, Edith (Silverthorn) and by his three siblings – Anne, Jen and Bill. He is

survived by his three children, Merrilyn (Harry), Gayle (Ric), Jim (Carol) and granddaughter Olivia. He will be fondly remembered by his many nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.

We are appreciative of the care provided by Dr. Geremia, Carewest Garrison Green and Qualicare in Calgary during the last years of our father’s life.

We’ll miss the company of our dear father and always carry his memory with us. A memorial service for Dad will be held at St. Thomas Wesley United Church in Saskatoon this summer.

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