GERALD DONALD (DON) WEBSTER

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GERALD DONALD (DON) WEBSTER

1929 - 2023

Dad passed away at Seven Oaks Hospital in Winnipeg on November 30, 2023 at the age of 94. Dad was born September 10, 1929 in Weyburn, Saskatchewan, and was raised on the family farm at Midale. Dad was predeceased by his daughter Patricia Andrusiek, parents Dean and Irma (Kristensen), wife Joyce, and brother Gary.



He is survived by sons Kim (Heidi Meyer), Bob (Seung Yeun) of Seoul, Korea, daughter Karen Gutwein, grandchildren Tanya Mitchler, Matthew (Laurie) Andrusiek, Mallory (Femi Ferreira) Gutwein, Adrienne Gutwein, Andrea (Sheldon) Therrien of Regina and great-grandchildren Emma and Grace Mitchler, Elijah Ferreira and Maeve Therrien. He is also survived by his brothers, Bill (Shirley), Jim, and numerous nieces and nephews.



Dad was the first born, and was followed by brothers Gary, Jim and Bill. Dad graduated from Midale High School, and married Joyce Noreen Meyers from Midale in 1951. They had four children; Donald Kim, Bob, Patricia and Karen. Dad attended the University of Saskatchewan, College of Agriculture, and Mom and Dad moved to Regina after Dad graduated. Dad worked in agriculture his entire life, serving as an agricultural representative for the Provincial Government in Elbow, and then Outlook. Dad gave his time to the community, including the Boy Scouts, Kinsmen Club and the 4H Club. Dad was interviewed by Time Magazine, and appears in the September 19, 1960 issue. Dad had a gift for photography, and took 3000 colour photo slides that he placed in storage for 50 years, when his daughter-in-law Heidi produced photo albums of some of the best photos. These are a family treasure, and Dad described them as the best Christmas present ever. Some of Dad’s work photos are in the Saskatchewan Archives.



The family moved to Winnipeg in 1962, when Dad worked for Spencer Chemical Company for two years. Dad became interested in flying, and purchased a Piper PA22 Tri-Pacer. Son, Kim was his most frequent passenger. Some only flew with Dad once. Mom demanded to land as soon as the airplane lifted off the runway. After a flight to Estevan, Dean wanted to call the farm to ask someone pick him up. Dad’s log books were a cherished possession, and a rich history of the friends, family and workmates that flew with him.



After Spencer, Dad joined Manitoba Agriculture, moving to Morden in 1975, where Dad worked at the Morden Experimental Farm. In Morden Dad started riding motorcycles. His ride of choice was the Honda Gold Wing, a large cruising bike. At times, Dad owned two bikes, and falsely stated that one was Mom’s. Dad and Mom went on major road trips, including the Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. To this day, we cannot picture Mom on the back of a motorcycle.



Dad and Mom moved to Arborg in 1979, and then East St Paul in 1983. Dad retired from Manitoba Agriculture in 1990. The Federal Department of Agriculture then offered Dad a job, and he worked another five years.



Besides his family, Dad loved his toys. He was a car guy all his life, was quite knowledgeable about cars, and truly enjoyed driving. Dad enjoyed his retirement, as it gave him more time for family, toys and travel. Dad and Mom lived on a large property, and put a lot of time into yard work. Dad also served on the Red River Ex Family Farm Committee. Mom passed away in 2010, and life was never the same for Dad. Having to stop driving at age 92 was extremely difficult for Dad.



The family wishes to thank River Ridge Retirement Residence for making life enjoyable for Dad in has last two years, and Seven Oaks Hospital for making Dad comfortable for his final two weeks.



Dad, we hope it’s a sunny day, and you are driving down an endless highway. Rest easy Dad, we’re okay.



At Dad’s request, a small family gathering will be held in Midale, SK at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Canadian Diabetes.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 09, 2023, Dec 09, 2023