Neil Pierce

In Loving Memory of

Neil Pierce

loving father of Richard, Emilie, Katherine, Garry and Elden

who passed away at Royal University Hospital, Saskatoon, SK

on Tuesday, November 2, 2021

at the age of 89 years.

A funeral service will be held at the Naicam Town Hall, Naicam, SK

on Saturday, November 13, 2021

at 2:00 p.m.

Viewing for family and friends will be at the hall

prior to the service, beginning at 1:00 p.m.

Please join the family virtually here .

If friends so desire, memorial tributes in memory of Neil

may be made to a charity of one's choice.

Neil Edwin Allan Pierce was born on the family farm east of Naicam, SK on June 13, 1932. He was the youngest and last survivor of ten siblings born to Albert and Emilie (Tafel) Pierce. He passed away at the Royal University Hospital, Saskatoon, SK, on November 2, 2021.

The family farm was very important to Neil. He was born there. His formal education was at the local school.  His father, Albert, passed away when Neil was 14 so he worked alongside his mother and sister Eva. A few years later, he met the love of his life, Patsy Fraser, literally the girl next door.

They married on February 25, 1953. From then until Patsy’s passing, they were inseparable. Outdoors they did the farm work together. This included clearing land, picking roots and stones, repairing fencing, planting and seeding. For many years they milked cows and shipped cream. Neil often referred to her as Joe. Many family memories are of Neil and Patsy cooking together. This was especially true as the holiday season approached. Our mouths water thinking of the fudge, ginger snap cookies, lefsa, and the list could go on.

Neil supplemented income by working off the farm as well. They drove school bus for many years. Between runs, Neil worked at the slaughter house for Thompson Meats. He also worked on road construction when 349 was upgraded past their farm.

Leonard Peterson is quoted as saying, “Neil was the best neighbor a man could wish for”. Neil seemed to enjoy helping those he could. He was always ready to lend a hand to anyone who needed help. It didn’t seem to matter if it was family, a neighbor or a random stranger who needed to be pulled from the ditch. He is remembered for his humming a hymn or singing a silly tune such as “Oh Lord, it’s hard to be Humble…”

After Patsy passed in August 2010, he was a very lonely man. He counted the days since her passing. Then he met Esther Bloomstrand. They eloped in January 2014. They lived in an apartment in Naicam. Sadly, Esther lost her fight to cancer in December 2017. Neil continued to live in town until his passing.

Neil faced health challenges in later years, especially failing eyesight. Once he bought some pork and beans and opened the can only to discover he had pumpkin pie filling.  The past year, Neil seldom left his apartment. He often lamented he was forgotten but literally spent hours on his phone.

Neil is predeceased by his grandson Jeffrey Schwindt (2006), his wife Patricia (2010), his wife Esther (2017). He is survived by his children Richard (Roseanne) Pierce, Issac (Kirsten) and Wyatt, Emilie (Gordon) Schwindt, Kurtis (Summer) Schwindt, Brooklyn, Josie, Scarlett, Tucker and Elizabeth, Julie (Matt) Dueck, Janessa, Landon, Jeremy and Bryan, Brendan(Carolina) Schwindt, Henry, Edwin, Jeffrey and Ophelia, Mike(Amanda) Theriault, George and Ian,  Katherine (John) Zenner, John (Carolyn Benes) and children, Jennifer Sawatsky, Delaney, Diesel and Dezriel, Jared Zenner, Hannah and Logan, Jessica Zenner, Kenzie, Garry Pierce, Lindsay (Charlie) Hunt, Harper and Oliver, Jessie Pierce, Kaylee Pierce (Chris), Emma, Ava and Presley, Elden (Glenda) Pierce, Shannon Estabrooks(Cory), Aria, and Neil (Courtney) Pierce; brother-in-law Lionel(Mary) Bussiere, sister-in-law Annabelle Christanson and many nieces and nephews.