Date of Birth: September 6, 1934
Date of Death: March 23, 2015
Leon (Leo) Fred Topinka was born September 6, 1934 to Frank and Helen (nee Istace) Topinka in the Flatwood district in the good old Moose Mountains. He was the second child of the five children in the family. Leo lived with his MaMere and PaPere Istace until he was eight, when he moved to the Beynes district with Grandpa and Grandma Topinka and their family in l942. This is where Leo went to school and worked on the family farm. In 1953 he moved to Whitewood and was married to Jessie Hogg on September 14, 1955. Leo and Jessie were blessed with four children, Leona, Lorrie, Loren and Frank. Leo did a few different jobs in his life and then settled on a career of truck driving. He drove truck for TD McKay from 1957 until 1968 before buying him out and running the business. He then started driving for Kleysen Transport in 1978, where he remained until his retirement in 1996. In the summer of 2008, Leo and Jessie moved to Regina so he could be closer to medical care. Leo left this world at 9:30 p.m. on March 23, 2015 at Pasqua Hospital with family at his side; his battle was finally over.
Leo was a lifetime member of the Whitewood volunteer fire department, as well as the Knights of Columbus and was an active member of the local Catholic parish many years ago. He also served on Whitewood Town Council for four different terms and was the mayor of Round Lake for one term. Leo loved the rodeo and would make the trip to Kennedy for the annual rodeos. He would also watch the bull riding on television, and of course, all Rider games; Leo coached many of those games from the comfort of his chair. Leo greatly loved being at the lake and never turned away a visitor.
Leo was predeceased by his parents, Frank and Helen (nee Istace) Topinka; sister Alma Brulé; brother-in-law Urby Brulé; brother James Topinka; sister-in-law Phyllis Topinka; mother-in-law and father-in-law Kathleen and Ernest Hogg; and other family members. He leaves to cherish his memory: his loving wife, Jessie of Regina; children Leona (Ed) Zychkowski of West Kelowna, Lorrie (Victor) McDougall of Fort Qu’Appelle, Loren (Lori) Topinka of Edmonton and Frank (Monica Lewis) Topinka of Regina; grandchildren Shawn Zychkowski, Deanna (Fred) Choquette, Scott (Cheryl) McDougall, T.J. and Mackenzie Topinka, Chase Bourassa, Mitchell and Logan Topinka; great-grandchildren Berlin and Vienna Zychkowski, Ryan and Evan McDougall and Nevaeh Bourassa; brothers Tony Topinka and Willie (Grace) Topinka; sister-in-law Marie Topinka; and numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives. Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated for Leo on Saturday, March 28, 2015 at St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church, Whitewood with the Rev. Fr. Rene Mangahas celebrating. The music was led by Ernie and Dianne Veresh and choir members. The scriptures were read by Victor McDougall and Deanna Choquette, and the Intercessions were offered by Ed Zychowski. The gift bearers were Leona and Ed Zychkowski. Members of the Royal Canadian Legion Whitewood Branch #87 formed an honour guard, and the honorary pallbearers were Tony Brulé, Frank Baker, Kevin White, Bob Dayman, Ed Rowland, Trevor Topinka, Wilfred Brulé, Nathan Minovitch, Cecil Holloway and Shawn Zychkowski. Interment took place in the Whitewood Cemetery with T.J. Topinka, Fred Choquette, Mitch Topinka, Chase Bourassa, Mackenzie Topinka and Scott McDougall acting as pallbearers. Arrangements were entrusted to Matthews Funeral Home, Whitewood.