Garnet Murray

Garnet Leslie was born March 31st, 1947 to David and Mabel Murray. He is the 6th of 7 children. Garnet started his schooling at Willow Glen, then moved to Wadena School in 1956 after the passing of his father. He and his 3 sisters, along with his mother spent the winters of 1956 & 1957 living in Wadena with Mabel’s sister, Gladys. In 1958 Garnet and his family moved back to the farm when he then returned to Willow Glen School.

After Garnet left school he worked for awhile at Campbell Motors in Wadena. Following this he spent several years in Saskatoon working in construction and roofing. He then moved to Alberta where he was employed by a seismic crew and roofing firm.

In 1970, Garnet purchased the Highland View Farm, 3 ½ miles north of Rosebud Hall, where he spent his summer months farming and the winter months working at the nickel mine in Thompson, Manitoba and at the Allan Potash Mine.

In October 1974 Garnet married Judy Fleischhacker of Pilger, Sk. They welcomed their first son, Dean David Leslie, in March of 1975 and their second son, Trent Andrew Leslie, in April 1976.

The family resided on 8th St NE in Wadena during the winter and returned to Highland View Farm during the summer until 1986 when Garnet and Judy purchased the quarter he grew up on, from his mother. In 1987 Garnet and the boys purchased cattle, adding to the existing grain farm.

Garnet and Judy lived on the Murray family farm until 1995, when the boys moved onto the home quarter to carry on farming for the third generation and to raise their families. Garnet and Judy purchased a home in Wadena and he continued to farm full time until his retirement in 2009.

Even though retired, Garnet could always be found at the farm helping out the boys, whenever needed.

During their retirement, Garnet and Judy enjoyed every summer at the lake fishing and socializing, Sunday drives to the farm, coffee row, summer music festivals, a trip to Mexico in 2013, and frequent visits with friends and family.

In the early spring of 2023 Garnet became ill and spent the next two months surrounded by numerous family and friends until his passing on May 4th, 2023.

Garnet will be remembered by his wife, Judy, of 48 years, his sons, Dean (Tammy), and Trent (Kristie), his grandchildren, Rayshelle (Riley) Nisbet of Wiseton, Chloe, Mackenzie, Riley, Kailyn and his great granddaughter, Tess; sisters Marlene Kreller of Saskatoon, and Linda (Daryl) Nedjelski of Watrous; in-laws, Colette (Julie) Rheamue of St. Brieux, Ruth Sarauer of Humboldt, Harvey (Cheryll) Fleischhacker of Pilger as well as numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

Garnet is predeceased by his parents, David and Mabel, stepfather Jim Rennie; siblings, Floyd, Islay Lensen, Jaime, Bernice Dogniez; father and mother in-law, Emil and Ang Fleischhacker; brothers in-law, Frank Lensen, Al Dogniez, Ken Kreller, Willard Sarauer and sister in-law, Dolores Murray.

Garnet will be greatly missed by all those who shared a coffee or drink and a laugh with him.