Obituary of George Dawe

In Loving Memory Of George Dawe

George Andrew Dawe was born August 16th, 1948, to Lawrence Milton Dawe and Nettie Aredina Hendrika (Koopmans) Dawe. George had two younger sisters: Blandina (Bob) Pilkey and Kathy (Elmer) Hrynchyshyn. They lived on a farm northeast of Wadena until it was time for George to start school, then the house and family moved to Wadena. George attended Wadena Elementary School and Wadena Composite High School. He started working early in life. His first job was a paperboy delivering the news to local residents in Wadena. George was a mechanic’s helper, and worked for Potzus Construction doing bridge repair by Kamsack. He then moved back home and worked as a baker’s helper for Leo and Joan Suik at the Wadena Bakery. At the same time he helped local farmers – Ed Nygaard and Anton Lazar. After working a full day at the bakery, he went swathing for Nygaard’s. The swather plugged up and when George went to unplug it, his left hand got caught. George reached in with his right hand and pulled his left hand out losing his fingers and mangling his right hand.

In the fall of 1968, George went to visit friends Eddie and Donna Rumbold. While driving down the road he spotted a young girl walking home. George had to find out who she was so he asked the Rumbold’s about her. He made up his mind, he had to ask her out, so he took a chance. She said “yes” and so a long relationship started. On September 16th, 1972, George married the love of his life, Rita Johannson.

On October 1st, 1972, George and Rita bought the Kelvington Bakery and Tea Room which they operated until May 1st, 1976. After selling the bakery, George worked as an electrician’s helper, a carpenter and painter.  They lived in Kelvington until February 1978, when they moved to a ranch near Meadow Lake, SK where he worked as a ranch hand. Milton was born while they lived in Kelvington. Jason was born when they lived on the ranch at Meadow Lake. On April 1st, 1984, they moved to Margo to farm the former Hendrickson farm. While farming, George took on other jobs. In the fall of 1985, when Mr. Mackie was retiring from the Margo Village job, George was asked to take over the position. George’s main concern was that the residents had excellent drinking water. He had to finish his grade twelve before he could take the water treatment courses, and after not being in school for so many years, it was a challenge, but HE DID IT!

George also worked for Norman Johnson as a farm helper for a year. He had a passion for woodworking. George refinished many pieces of furniture for people in the area. He built nightstands, planter boxes, lamps and benches.

George had a love for animals and drove a chariot and a chuckwagon for many years. Over the years George’s love for animals grew. He had cows, calves, horses, chickens, geese, turkeys and even pigs one year. George would go to the Exotic Animal Sale in Yorkton and come home with ducks, guinea hens, geese, different breeds of chickens, and chinchillas. You name it, he bought them!  George and Rita had a little dog named Maxwell. Well, it did not matter where George went Maxwell went to. When Maxwell died George went to the SPCA in Yorkton and found a little dog that was going to be euthanized. George felt sorry for the dog and bought him. Well, needless to say George had another little friend. “Buddy” went with George everywhere. It was devastating for George when Buddy got sick and had to be put to sleep.

Besides farming and having cattle, George continued to work as the Certified Water Treatment Plant Operator for the Village of Margo, Hamlet of Kuroki, Hamlet of Nut Mountain, RM of Hazel Dell, Villages of Invermay and Buchanan.

Being the Certified Operator for these communities was very important to George as he wanted to ensure the residents had excellent drinking water. George was a Councillor and Mayor for the Village of Margo, and a Councillor for the RM of Sasman #336. He was also a member of the Wadena and District Fire Association Board for a number of years and The Wadena Central Landfill Committee.

In October 2019, George and Rita’s home in Margo burned to the ground. In February 2020 they purchased a home and moved to Wadena. They needed to be closer to a hospital as George became quite sick after the fire. Gradually he got better, but in 2020 George had a huge blood clot in his left leg and spent a week in Saskatoon. When his heath improved a bit, George continued at the water plants in Invermay and Buchanan.  George retired from Buchanan in July 2024 and continued to look after the Invermay Plant, right up until his passing.

In 2023, George decided it was time to plant a garden again. He started off small but this year went bigger. In the fall of 2023, George shelled the dried-up peas for seed. Well, in 2024 he planted seventy-five feet of peas! Needless to say, there were lots of peas with 100% germination!

George’s greatest loves were his wife, two sons, their wives, his grandchildren, his great grandchild and his family. Family meant everything to George. He cared deeply not only for his sons and their families but also for his sisters and their families. George was a man of few words (most of the time) however George’s boys meant the world to him; and he would brag about them. He was so proud of them and their accomplishments! George worried about them, their families and tried his best to support them, any way he could.

George passed away Saturday October 26th, 2024 at Regina General Hospital with his family by his side.

George was predeceased by: his infant son George Jonas in 1976; his Father Lawrence in 1976; his Mother Nettie in 2016; his Father-in-law Arnie Johansson in 1989 and Mother-in-law Lillian Johannson in 2014.

George is survived by: his loving wife of 52 years Rita; his son Milton, daughter-in-law Jennifer; granddaughter- Mackenzie (Michael), and  great-grandchild William; grandson Noah – fiancé Brooke; granddaughters Colby, Hallee and Jordyn; his son Jason – daughter-in-law Michelle, and grandson Blake; his sisters Blandina – Bob Pilkey; and Kathy – Elmer Hyrnchyshyn as well as a number of nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, and cousins as well as a host of close friends.

George, we love you and miss you, we know you are in Heaven, rest in peace.

Funeral Service

2:30 P.M.

Friday, November 1, 2024

Margo Hall

Margo, SK

Those wishing to send cards

of caring & sympathy may send them to

The Family of George Dawe

P.O.  Box 752

Wadena, SK S0A 4J0

Donations in memory of

George may be made to

Diabetes Canada

Or

Heart & Stroke Foundation

Or

Wadena Volunteer Fire Association

Or

Margo Cemetery Fund