Obituaries: Donald Guidinger
May 11, 1934 ~ June 2, 2020 (age 86)
It is with deep sadness that the family announces the passing of Donald Conrad Guidinger on June 2, 2020 at the age of 86.
He will be dearly missed by his wife Gail of 62 years, his daughters: Janice (Laura), Lynne (Gord), Sharon (Brad), son Greg (Ronalee), grandchildren: Carly (Oakley, Service Dog), Connor, Kasia, Jonathan and Kelsey and Don’s sister Elaine. He was predeceased by his parents Conrad and Frances.
Donald was born in Eatonia Saskatchewan to Conrad and Frances (nee: Boomer) Guidinger on May 11, 1934. Don grew up with his younger sister, Elaine, near the original Guidinger homestead 4 miles south of Laporte, Saskatchewan until he was 6 years old. In 1940, the family relocated to what is now the existing Guidinger homestead at Eatonia where he grew up and continued his lifelong love of farming. His favorite times of the year were seeding and especially harvest. After he retired, he loved to drive out to the farm during seeding and harvest, or anytime really and was ready to take his family and friends out for a crop tour as soon as they came home to visit.
He attended Rankin Elementary school until grade 8 and high school at Campion College in Regina. He loved and was involved in sports, a passion he passed on to each of his children and grandchildren. He played basketball (winning provincials in his senior year), baseball and football. He met Gail Haight (from Floral Saskatchewan) in Saskatoon through mutual friends at a baseball game. They married January 11, 1958 and moved to the Eatonia farm, where they shared married life, raising their family, 3 daughters and a son. One of his greatest joys was to learn Greg and Ronalee would return to the farm to continue the Guidinger farming legacy and raise their family. He also loved to hear stories of the accomplishments and activities of his children and grandchildren. He was a great story teller and loved to share stories of his youth, time on the farm and thoughts on life, sports and current events. He loved watching and cheering on his beloved Raptors, Riders and Blue Jays. He loved the farm and after they moved into town, he would drive out daily, check in to get the latest farm update and give a treat to the dog (the many Norwegian Elkhounds that made their home at the Guidinger farm over the years).
He was actively involved in community sports (playing and coaching) and service organizations in Eatonia which included: Eatonia Lion’s club, Knights of Columbus, St. Joseph’s Parish council and fundraising for the local arena and swimming pool. He also served on the Kindersley & District School Board for 13 years.
A life well lived, Don will be remembered with love in the hearts of his family and by all who knew him. He loved to visit and catch-up with what was important in people’s lives. He was kind, generous, genuine and supportive. He loved to share time, he had a calm soft spoken way, he did not speak often, but said what was important to him, he was a good listener and he had a big heart, a witty sense of humor and a ready smile or laugh.
Thank you to the nurses, doctors and staff at the Kindersley District Hospital for their care and kindness.
There will be a private family service (respecting Provincial Health Authorities COVID-19 guidelines).
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Eatonia Oasis Living care home in Don’s name.
Funeral arrangements entrusted to the Kindersley Community Funeral Home & Crematorium.
Services
PRIVATE FAMILY SERVICE AT A LATER DATE
Donations
Eatonia Oasis Living
Box 217, Eatonia SK S0L 0Y0
Tel: 1-306-967-2447
Web: http://www.eatoniaoasisliving.com
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