Douglas Muir

It is with great sadness the family of William Douglas James Muir, 87 years, of Spalding and formerly of Scrip, announce his peaceful passing on January 26, 2023 at the   Plains Centennial Lodge. Douglas was born on May 2, 1935 at the homestead of his parents William and Jessie (nee Marshall) Muir.  He obtained his education at St. Raymond, Scrip and Sigstad school, then began farming with his father in 1950. During this time, he would also trap muskrats which he said was very good money in those days.  In 1955 at the age of 2o, he bought his first farmland.  In 1957, he met Yvonne Gjerde of Nora and they were married in 1963. In that year, Douglas purchased the half section where they would build their home and raise their family. The next five years were busy with Douglas and his dad continuing to build up the farm and Yvonne employed as a nurse at the Rose Valley Union Hospital.  During this time, they were able to take a number of memorable trips to B.C., the USA, and to Montreal for Expo 67. In 1969, they started their family and were blessed with five children.

Douglas farmed with his father through the 50s, 60s, and 70s, until William’s passing in 1981.  It wasn’t long afterwards that his children were able to fill in and help with the farming operation.  It was an enjoyable time in the 1980s and early 90s with a busy, active family and plenty of helping hands. In addition to farming and raising cattle, Douglas enjoyed curling and socializing with relatives and neighbors. Douglas also found time to serve on the Ponas Lake R.M council for over 25 years as well as the Quill Credit Union board for 6 years.  Each summer, the family spent a couple weeks at Marean Lake while the kids took swimming lessons. Doug and Yvonne were able to take some memorable family vacations to Disney World and Expo 86.

In 1993, James began farming with Douglas and Yvonne, and together they continued to grow their farming operation.  In 2005, Douglas and Yvonne moved from their family farm to the town of Spalding while James and Lisa moved to their home quarter. Before long, James and Lisa had three boys of their own and it must have felt like Deja vu all over again.  After phasing out of cattle and taking advantage of extra time with James and Lisa running operations, Douglas and Yvonne had the opportunity to do some traveling.  They enjoyed cruises to Alaska, Ireland, Iceland, and Norway, and through the Panama Canal.  They also took several charter bus tours, which included a Nashville music tour, an Arizona and West Coast tour, and an Alaska Tour.  They visited Hudson Bay to see the polar bears, toured Newfoundland and Labrador, traveled to New Zealand and Australia, and took three trips to Mexico.

While Douglas did enjoy these trips, he was happiest when he was at home.  Like many others in the area, Douglas’s life revolved around farming and it was what he enjoyed most. He had no interest in retirement but was rather driven by the anticipation of each new spring, summer and fall.  His farming career spanned four generations and over 70 years, beginning with his father, then with his wife and family, then with James and Lisa, and continued till he was working alongside his three grandsons.  Douglas farmed until 2021 when declines in his health required him to finally step away from active farming.  In August 2022, Douglas moved to the Quill Plains Centennial Lodge in Watson where he resided until his passing.

Douglas will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his wife of 59 years, Yvonne; four children and twelve grandchildren:  Wayne (Leah) Muir of Lloydminster, AB and family Aiden and Ian; Keith (Deb) Muir of Regina and family Tiann and Jenna; James (Lisa) Muir of Rose Valley and family Luke, Oliver and Ben; and Shelley Muir (Brock Balint)  and family Hunter, Noah, Silas, Kate, and Cadence of Shields;  foster son Dale (Violet) Hauck and son Michael (Kathy) and family Ari and Leona. Siblings: Margaret (Bill) Dowling, Heather (Robin) Hannah; sisters and brothers-in-law: Wilford Gjerde, Clifford Gjerde, Gerald (Dianne) Gjerde, and Brenda (Gord) Prevost; and 21 nieces and nephews and families.  Douglas was predeceased by his son Shane in 1974, his father William in 1981, his mother Jessie in 2000, and his sister Darlene in 2018.

A Memorial Service will be held Friday, February 10th, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. at the Quill Lake Community Legion Hall in Quill Lake, SK. The family would like to express sincere thanks and appreciation for all the kindness and care given to Douglas at the Quill Plains Centennial Lodge.  We are grateful to all of you.