Date of Birth: September 21, 1931
Date of Death: February 5, 2019
Norman Donald Rudolf Gares was born Sept. 21, 1931 on the family farm at 26-21-9 W2, the youngest child of Rudolf and Mary (Spitznagel) Gares. He attended Pheasant Forks and Central Schools. After graduating high school, he apprenticed at McCloy’s Pharmacy until taking over the family farm in 1952.
Norm was confirmed into the Lutheran faith at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Melville, Sask. It was during confirmation that he first met Freda (Ehrenholz), his future wife to whom he was married over 50 years until her passing in 2006. Norm’s faith was important to him right up until his passing. He served on the church board at Good Shepherd Lutheran and attended the National Convention of the Lutheran Church.
Norm and Freda married on Sunday, Oct. 24, 1954 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. They made their winter home in Melville and their summer home at the family farm where Norm was born, southwest of Duff, Sask. When the twins were born, the family took up permanent residence in Melville while continuing to operate the farm.
They loved to travel and did so to the far reaches of the world. They went on safari in Africa, attended the Silver Broom in Europe and the British Isles, and tromped through the rainforests of South America. Together Norm and Freda had many, many adventures in over 50 countries.
To Norm, it was Freda, his family, and the farm. Curling was only a priority when all the rest was looked after and the harvest was in the bin. During the winter season, Norm was at various times, ice maker, rink manager, canteen employee, Level 1 Curl Canada instructor and a regional member of the Saskatchewan Curling Association. His competitive juices ran high and he successfully competed in various bonspiels throughout Western Canada and the northern United States. Over the years he curled with many local curlers, most recently with his eldest son, Don, in the seniors curling. Don always said his dad invented the flat-footed slide. Norm retired from playing the game after his surgery in 2015.
Norm was a true steward of the land, obtaining great satisfaction from completing all facets of the farming operation from seeding to harvest. When the farm day was done he left the work behind and he always said he drove faster on the way home. Norm continued to farm with his youngest son, Bob, until 2007 and the family farm was sold in 2008.
After Freda was no longer able to garden, Norm became a gardener in town. His family was only too happy to share in the bounty of his labours and especially his dilled carrots, beans, and cucumbers. He always had a two-quart sealer on hand, with enough delicious pickled goods to make his granddaughters sick. He also learned from Freda how to cook and bake and loved to share his fabulous pies with family and friends. He was even known to share some pie baking tips, use only pork lard and apples that were just slightly bruised.
Norm could be strong-willed at times and not always patient, but was also thoughtful and generous to a fault. He insisted on cooking all holiday meals at his house and, while allowing others to assist with some parts, he always made the cabbage rolls. At the last family gathering, over Christmas, he allowed a “dessert-off” of Freda’s traditional Christmas dessert, Chocomint Dessert. He always showed up with treats for his favourite dog, Casper.
Norm entered his eternal rest on Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2019 at St. Peter’s Hospital in Melville, Sask., at the age of 87 years.
Norm was predeceased by his loving wife Freda; his parents, Rudolf and Mary; parents-in-law, Martha and Konrad Weideman; brothers, Albert and Ernie; sisters, Clara and Emily; and brother-in-law, Ernie.
He is survived by his four sons: Don (Janice), Melville, Sask., Jim (Melissa), Regina, Sask., Gerry, Drumheller, Alta., and Bob, of Yorkton, Sask.; granddaughters, Jessica, Amanda (Cody Stewart) and Martha; sister-in-law, Eleanor Gares and her family; and many nieces and nephews.
A memorial service was held on Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019 from Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Melville, Sask. with Rev. Doug Schmirler officiating.
Arrangements were by Bailey’s Funeral and Cremation Care, Melville, Sask.
