Ernie Briggs passed away on Sunday, July 23, 2023, at the age of 81 years.
Ernie was born in Whitewood, SK, on Nov. 22, 1941, to Roy and Iverine Briggs (nee Waynert). He was the firstborn of seven children. Ernie grew up on a farm northeast of Whitewood and was a farmer from day one. He attended Burrows country school, where he met his future wife, Victoria Ikert, the skinny little neighbour kid. Vickie wasn’t initially fond of him, but his easy charm and humour won her over, and on Nov. 19, 1960, they were married at St. Mary’s Anglican Church in Whitewood.
While briefly living and working in Regina, Ernie and Vickie were blessed with their first daughter and, at that time, decided to raise their family back in Whitewood. They purchased the farm where they stayed for more than 50 years, and their family grew to include another daughter and two sons.
Ernie was passionate about farming, but he would never be considered single-minded. His passions extended first and foremost to his family, followed by his church and community. He was an active participant in all aspects of his and Vickie’s lives.
Ernie loved to play cards, sing and play his guitar and was always up for a lively conversation. Although Ernie did not complete high school, he was insatiably curious and loved to talk about a vast array of topics, sports excluded, except for maybe curling!
Ernie was charismatic, outgoing, loved people and had a huge capacity for service. His love of farming and his natural ability for leadership made him an advocate for the lifestyle that he cherished. Ernie was not just interested in talking about politics, he became an advocate for the agriculture sector. He was involved in the Saskatchewan Wheat Pool Committee, a delegate member to APAS (Agriculture Producers Association of Saskatchewan) on behalf of the RM of Willowdale, where he served as Councillor for 25 years.
Ernie was actively involved in St. Mary’s Anglican Church, a long-standing member of Vestry, and had a deep abiding spirituality that he nurtured and passed on to his children and grandchildren. His family rests in the peace of knowing that he is watching over us all and is in good company with his loved ones and friends who have passed before him.
Over the past several years dealing with a decline in his health and ability to be active on the farm, Ernie discovered a love for writing and poetry. His journal is a real insight into the man that he was and a treasure for his family for years to come.
Ernie leaves to mourn: his wife of 62 years, Vickie; his children, Becky (Kim) Ashton, Shirley (Lawrence) Berthelet, Trent Briggs and Mark (Stephanie) Briggs; his grandchildren, Samantha (Jeff) Down, Frank Berthelet, Josée (Bryton) Thorarinsson, Claire (Koltyn) Schentag, Rachel Berthelet, Remi Berthelet, Megan Caplette, Dustin Caplette, Danielle (Nathan) Laxdal, Bobbi Jo Briggs, Phyllicia, JR, Luke and Bronwynn Briggs; his great-grandchildren, Brooke Minty, Maia Down, Blake and Oliver Laxdal and Ashton Lagler; brother Dennis; sisters Gloria (Garry) Schenstead and Joy Newman; and many nieces and nephews.
Ernie was predeceased by his grandson, Matthew; his parents, Roy and Iverine Briggs; his in-laws, Louie and Alvina Ikert; his brothers, Ivan, Ted and Herb Briggs; one sister-in-law, Irene Briggs; four brothers-in-law, Gerry Brabant and Joe, George and John Ikert; and nephew Jason Csada.
If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made to the St. Mary’s Anglican Church Memorial Fund or the Whitewood Community Health Centre.
An Anglican funeral service was held at the Whitewood Legion Hall, Whitewood, SK, on Friday, July 28, 2023, with the Ven. Wilma Woods and the Rev. Brian Woods officiating. Interment will take place in the Forrest Farm Cemetery at a later date.
Arrangements were entrusted to Matthews Funeral Home Whitewood and Melville.
