Obituary for Gerald Norman Carlson
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Gerald (Gerry) on February 24, 2021 at the age of 79.
Gerald was born on January 26, 1942 in Melfort, Saskatchewan to Norman and Emma Carlson and was the oldest of 5 children. He is survived by his wife, Sandy (Edmonds), of 56 years. He is also survived by his sister Dianne Bunnah of Airdrie, Alberta, his brother Keith (Margie) of Lac Vert, Saskatchewan, his sister Doreen Flath (Art) of Radisson, Saskatchewan, his younger brother Blaine (Kathy) of Campbell River, BC, Aunt Gretta Cropper of Melfort, Saskatchewan and daughter-in-law Darcelle Broderick of Lethbridge, Alberta. He also leaves behind his grandson Kristopher (Stephanie) of Eckville, Alberta, his granddaughter Kassandra (Corey) of Lethbridge, Alberta and two great granddaughters, Jaxyn and Kinsley as well as many nieces, nephews and friends.
Gerald spent his early years growing up on the family farm near Lac Vert, Saskatchewan. After graduation he decided to join the RCMP in 1962 in Regina and retired as a Sergeant after 31 years of service in the Force. He spent most of his service on highway patrol and if you received a ticket from him you darn well deserved it. He especially liked the rural district that he was in charge of checking with people who lived in isolated areas to see if everything was okay and to let them know that his members and him were available to them if anything should arise. All his service was spent in BC beginning in Terrace where he met and married his wife Sandy and then transferred to Prince Rupert and Courtenay (saltwater fishing was great there), then on to Grand Forks and Penticton where motorcycles, snowmobiling and camping both in BC and across the border were enjoyed. Then on to Fort Nelson where a trip of a life-time was made through the Yukon and Alaska for 35 days and as well as temperatures of 40 and 50 below (no windchill) were experienced, until this year in Saskatchewan. Back down to the south to Fruitvale (near Trail and Nelson) for more camping and boating and then to rural Kamloops where skiing, fishing, snowmobiling and camping were enjoyed. Kamloops was going to be our retirement home but as the saying goes, “You can take the boy away from the farm, but you can’t take the farm away from the boy”, so in 1992 after retiring, Gerald decided to come back to Saskatchewan to help his brother Keith with seeding and harvest. Two years later, their grandparents’ homestead came up for sale and it was decided to move there permanently. He so loved farming, he loved running the tractors and combines and he loved the outdoors, but in 1997 he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s and as the years went by he realized that he couldn’t farm anymore and in 2008 he and his wife moved to Kinistino, Saskatchewan. As the disease progressed, and his wife could no longer look after him, he decided to move into Parkland Place in Melfort in May 2020 where he resided until February 21, 2021. He was predeceased by his son Kevin (2008), his mother Emma (2010), Aunt Edna Fidyk (2011), brother-in-law Donnie Bunnah (2014), his dad Norman (1986) and Aunt Clare White. Gerald loved life to the fullest, was a loving husband and a wonderful friend to everyone who knew him. His family is so proud of him on how he fought so hard with this disease, never giving up until the last. He will be missed by so many people. The family wants to thank Dr. Steffen, Melfort Hospital and Parkland Place for the wonderful care he received throughout the years. Cremation has taken place but no funeral due to this damn virus…which is sad. Memorial contributions may be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation or to a charity of one’s own choice.
Gerald was born on January 26, 1942 in Melfort, Saskatchewan to Norman and Emma Carlson and was the oldest of 5 children. He is survived by his wife, Sandy (Edmonds), of 56 years. He is also survived by his sister Dianne Bunnah of Airdrie, Alberta, his brother Keith (Margie) of Lac Vert, Saskatchewan, his sister Doreen Flath (Art) of Radisson, Saskatchewan, his younger brother Blaine (Kathy) of Campbell River, BC, Aunt Gretta Cropper of Melfort, Saskatchewan and daughter-in-law Darcelle Broderick of Lethbridge, Alberta. He also leaves behind his grandson Kristopher (Stephanie) of Eckville, Alberta, his granddaughter Kassandra (Corey) of Lethbridge, Alberta and two great granddaughters, Jaxyn and Kinsley as well as many nieces, nephews and friends.
Gerald spent his early years growing up on the family farm near Lac Vert, Saskatchewan. After graduation he decided to join the RCMP in 1962 in Regina and retired as a Sergeant after 31 years of service in the Force. He spent most of his service on highway patrol and if you received a ticket from him you darn well deserved it. He especially liked the rural district that he was in charge of checking with people who lived in isolated areas to see if everything was okay and to let them know that his members and him were available to them if anything should arise. All his service was spent in BC beginning in Terrace where he met and married his wife Sandy and then transferred to Prince Rupert and Courtenay (saltwater fishing was great there), then on to Grand Forks and Penticton where motorcycles, snowmobiling and camping both in BC and across the border were enjoyed. Then on to Fort Nelson where a trip of a life-time was made through the Yukon and Alaska for 35 days and as well as temperatures of 40 and 50 below (no windchill) were experienced, until this year in Saskatchewan. Back down to the south to Fruitvale (near Trail and Nelson) for more camping and boating and then to rural Kamloops where skiing, fishing, snowmobiling and camping were enjoyed. Kamloops was going to be our retirement home but as the saying goes, “You can take the boy away from the farm, but you can’t take the farm away from the boy”, so in 1992 after retiring, Gerald decided to come back to Saskatchewan to help his brother Keith with seeding and harvest. Two years later, their grandparents’ homestead came up for sale and it was decided to move there permanently. He so loved farming, he loved running the tractors and combines and he loved the outdoors, but in 1997 he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s and as the years went by he realized that he couldn’t farm anymore and in 2008 he and his wife moved to Kinistino, Saskatchewan. As the disease progressed, and his wife could no longer look after him, he decided to move into Parkland Place in Melfort in May 2020 where he resided until February 21, 2021. He was predeceased by his son Kevin (2008), his mother Emma (2010), Aunt Edna Fidyk (2011), brother-in-law Donnie Bunnah (2014), his dad Norman (1986) and Aunt Clare White. Gerald loved life to the fullest, was a loving husband and a wonderful friend to everyone who knew him. His family is so proud of him on how he fought so hard with this disease, never giving up until the last. He will be missed by so many people. The family wants to thank Dr. Steffen, Melfort Hospital and Parkland Place for the wonderful care he received throughout the years. Cremation has taken place but no funeral due to this damn virus…which is sad. Memorial contributions may be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation or to a charity of one’s own choice.