Obituaries: Harold Franklin Appleby
1925 ~ 2022 (age 97)
Harold Franklin Appleby, of Kindersley, Saskatchewan, born March 18, 1925, passed to his eternal life on Nov 21, 2022 at the age of 97, surrounded by his family. He was predeceased by his loving wife, Isabel Anne Appleby, his daughter, Bonnie Diana Bimson (Art) and his granddaughter, Robin Irvine (Richard Hambly).
He leaves behind to celebrate his life, sons Robert Lockwood (Marilyn) and Richard Appleby (Lois), Bonnie’s husband Art Bimson (Sandra); grandchildren Davin Lockwood (Gwen), Tanya McDonald (Mitchell), Kyle Appleby (Cheri), Scott Bimson, Shannon Peterson (Kevin); great-grandchildren Mitchell Irvine (Veronica), Teale Ronnie (Michael), Taylor McDonald, Brooklyn Young (Timothy), Tanner Lockwood, Nathan Lockwood, Reid Appleby, Keira Appleby; and great-great grandchildren, Holden Ronnie, Weston Ronnie, Kendrick Irvine and Paisley Young.
Harold is also missed by Robin’s partner, Richard Hambly and his son Kent, daughter Lindsy Britton (Bradley) and their children, Zachary, Owen, and Mason. Harold will be remembered by many nieces and nephews and people he knew over the decades and friends he enjoyed in his final years at Caleb.
Harold was born to Frank Taylor Appleby and Minetta Adelaide Schwalm on March 18, 1925, in Kindersley, Saskatchewan. He was raised on the family farm south-east of Pinkham along with siblings, brother Floyd (Alice), sister Florence Swift (John) and brother Ralph (Frances). Floyd was killed in Holland in 1945. Harold contracted polio in 1937 and missed a lot of schooling and he left school in 1940 to manage the farm as his father became involved with United Farmers of Canada as Provincial Vice-President in 1941 and President in 1942-43.
Harold married Isabel Lockwood in 1950 and in his words “…that began the next chapter of a lifelong love story!” The union came with children (Robert and Bonnie Lockwood aged 8 and 6 respectively) who went along on their honeymoon as they could visit their grandmother in British Columbia! Son, Richard was born on November 26, 1952. Harold and Isabel continued active farming at Pinkham with son Robert and partner Marilyn in the 60’s and then with son Richard and his partner Lois in the 70’s until his retirement on his 80th birthday.
Harold was mechanically inclined and was always looking for more efficient ways to farm. He discovered that George Morris was manufacturing a rod-weeder in Yorkton, Saskatchewan that would work in stony ground. In 1956, Harold visited George Morris which led to Harold and Isabel developing a Morris dealership on the farm and, in 1961, Harold became District Manager for Morris Rodweeder promoting Morris Equipment at major fairs and exhibitions and setting up dealerships in Western Saskatchewan and Alberta. George made Harold, a young farmer with no sales experience, his District Manager because he perceived that Harold was honest, shared his dream of minimum tillage, demonstrated great integrity and that he would be loyal to his company. Harold always went the extra mile when it came to responsibility!
In November 1955, Harold was initiated into Kindersley Lodge No. 86 under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Saskatchewan and was raised to the Sublime Degree of a Master Mason in April 1956. Harold was presented with The Grand Master’s Masonic Meritorious Service Award by the Grand Lodge of Saskatchewan in June 2018 and in October 2021 he was recognized as “A Mason in good standing and an active affiliate in the service of Freemasonry for a period of more than 65 years.” Harold also was designated as “Worthy Patron” for 7 years as presiding officer to the Order of the Eastern Star- the appendant body of the Masonic Fraternity. Harold always credited the Masons and Shriners International as being the organizations that encouraged him as a young farmer to become active in improving and strengthening communities.
Harold was active in the community serving as Chairman of the United Church Board at one time, supporting the Kindersley Plains Museum with equipment and in contributing to the utilization of the Masonic Hall for the Provincial Court and many other functions that were held in that facility.
Harold and Isabel traveled extensively and were snowbirds, spending almost 30 winters in Arizona. People will remember Harold’s unbelievable memory of historical detail back to the time when West Central Saskatchewan was settled. His book “Memories of 85 Years” has given readers some insight into what life was like in the Kindersley area through the decades.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at a later date
The family is requesting NO FLOWERS to be sent, to instead make donations towards the West Central Crisis Centre with information below:
Services
FAMILY TO DO SERVICES AT LATER DATE
Donations
West Central Crisis & Family Support Centre
Box 2235, Kindersley SK S0L 1S0
Tel: 1-306-463-6655
Web: http://westcentralcrisis.ca/
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