Ted Kirk

Memorial Service

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

2:00 p.m.

Foam Lake United Church

Ted was born on January 30, 1918 at Otthon, SK. He was the first son and the third child in a family of eight. Ted spent his early years on the farm near Otthon. In 1928, the family moved to a homestead near Bankend.Ted attended school at Bankend where he completed Grade 10. He took Grade 11 by correspondence as it was not offered at school at that time. As a young boy, Ted enjoyed playing baseball and swimming, although most of the time was spent working on the family farm and breaking new land with his dad and brothers. Ted and his two brothers, Albert and Peter, formed a small band and often played at local dances. Ted loved music and played the guitar. It was not unusual for Ted and his brothers to return home from playing at a dance as the sun was rising, only to be called shortly after to work in the fields. Not much sleep was to be had in those days!When Ted was a young man, World War Two had begun and Ted enlisted with the Royal Canadian Air Force in November 1941. He began his training in 1942 and was stationed in Winnipeg, MB; Dafoe, SK and later at Greenwood, NS. In Nova Scotia, Ted received training as a radar operator and later was sent to England for more training in radar operation. He also received his wireless badge in 1942. Ted was stationed in North Africa, Algiers and Gibraltar where he flew with Coastal Command for convoy escort and submarine surveillance. Ted was later posted to Italy for bombing support for the Canadian Eighth Army. In January 1945 Ted had completed 500 air hours over enemy territory. After three years and one hundred and thirty days, Ted was released from the service and returned home. Ted's rank was Warrant Officer, Class 1.Shortly after Ted returned home to Bankend in 1945, he attended a Valentine's Day dance. It was here that he met Verna Lindborg who was the new teacher at Birch Creek School. After a short and sweet courtship, Ted and Verna were married that same year on December 21, 1945. They bought land near Bankend and started farming. Ted also became Manager of the Bankend Co-op in the Fuel and Feed department. Ted and Verna had two daughters, Cheryl and Brianna. In 1956 the family moved to British Columbia where Ted worked as a Postal Carrier and also as a millwright in New Westminster. In 1961, Ted decided that this life was not for him and the family returned to Bankend to take over the original homestead. Upon returning to Bankend, Ted continued to farm for many years. He was involved with the Wheat Pool and was the secretary of the local committee. Ted was a dedicated farmer and always proud of his crops. He raised livestock and all the animals quickly became pets. Ted always found it very difficult to part with them. Ted also kept honey bees, much to his wife and daughters' dismay.When Ted was 43 years old, he attended SIAST in Saskatoon for two winters and received a certificate in Appliance Repair and Air Conditioning. For a period of time, Ted had an appliance and air conditioning repair business while he continued to farm.Ted spent lots of time at various lakes in Saskatchewan where he loved to swim and fish with his family. If either of his daughters caught a fish, one never knew who was more excited, Ted or his daughter. Ted loved to go mushroom picking in the spring and fruit and berry picking in the summer; raspberries being a favourite.Ted enjoyed spending time at Fishing Lake at the family trailer. In 1985, Ted worked with friends and family to build a cabin for all to enjoy. The cabin became a favourite place for Ted and Verna to spend their time, and they travelled between Fishing Lake and their farm for several years working to maintain both of their homes. Many memories of times spent at the cabin are cherished by all who knew Ted.When Ted retired he took up many hobbies; stamp collecting (which he enjoyed since the age of 12), gardening which was his number one hobby, fishing, playing horseshoes, golfing and playing cards. Ted loved to play cards with his family and neighbours. He was very interested in his yard and planted many varieties of fruit trees. In his early 90's, Ted was still planting trees. Ted was often seen driving around the yard on his golf cart which was always loaded up with gardening equipment and his two cats sitting on the seat next to him. A favourite pastime of Ted's was to go to 'town' for coffee, or share a cup with family, friends and neighbours at home.Days in the Kirk family were happy ones where there was an abundance of love and security. Family outings and holidays were commonplace. Family traditions were valued, many of which continue to this day. Ted's daughters thought that their Dad could do anything. He is remembered by his grandchildren as being quiet, patient, kind and giving. Poppa Ted enjoyed having his grandchildren and great grandchildren around him.Ted passed away on Thursday, October 9th after a short illness. Ted and Verna lived on their acreage until the middle of July 2014. Ted loved being there, never wanting to leave. Together Ted and Verna made their home and yard a place that they were very proud of and loved.Ted was a devoted and loving husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather and great grandfather. His family love him dearly and will miss him always.Ted is survived bya��Verna, his wife of 68 years; his daughters, Cheryl (Cliff) Fatteicher and Brianna (Wayne) Arneson; his grandson Cory (Peta-Gaye, Luke and Liam)a��Fatteicher, granddaughter Krista (Matthew)a��McCaw; his two sisters, Anne and Sophie and many nieces and nephews.