Dean Hicks

Dean Robert Hicks of Bengough, SK, passed away Friday, March 8, 2013, at age 85.

Dean was born in Bengough on June 30, 1927. He was the fourth child born to Orval and Hazel Hicks. Dean’s youth was spent growing up on the farm in Buffalo Gap. He recalled walking to the one room school house at St. Jerome. His childhood friends were the Nelsons, Liskeys, Warkens and Tames. He talked about threshing grain with his dad.

Dean met Margaret Davies and a romance bloomed. They were wed in Scobey on November 20, 1945. They were married for 63 years. Dean worked as a farm hand for five years for Ernest Vancuren, beginning in 1946. He purchased Thorval Risdahl’s little house and moved it into Ernest’s yard. Dean started to work for Harold March in 1964. Margaret and Dean moved into Big Beaver and rented the old Gerde house that winter and then moved their house from Ernest’s into Big Beaver in the spring. Dean worked for Harold in the store and trucked groceries from Regina. Dean began his career as an elevator agent in 1959. Dean first worked for Searle, then Federal, and the Saskatchewan Wheat Pool. Dean also ran the BA Bulk fuel in Big Beaver at the same time as running the elevator. Dean worked in the elevator for over 30 years, and was very proud when his grandson, Mike became a Wheat Pool employee. Dean’s last load of wheat was hauled from Roy Gerde.

After retirement, he spent spring working for Stewart Harris and his fall was spent working for Duane Skogstad, helping him with his harvest. He truly loved the farming way of life. Jolly Callen and Dean started their own “Honey” sewer truck business, cleaning the sewer lines. Roy Gerde, Jolly Callen and Felix Warken spend many days of friendship together in Big Beaver. Always a good community man, Dean was the caretaker of the Big Beaver Curling rink, flooding those sheets of ice many times over to get ready for bonspiels. He cut many, many acres of grass keeping Big Beaver neat and tidy. Margaret and Dean retired to Bengough in 1986. They took up golfing, something they had never done. They loved to garden, and work in their yard. Many times you could see Dean on his garden tractor cutting the spare lot behind the house which always looked like a well-groomed park. Many wedding pictures were taken there.

After some health concerns, Dean was content to sit in his chair in the corner of the living room, watching the Blue Jays and all other spots. Dean enjoyed time spent with his family. He looked forward to his morning coffee routine with Keith to start their early morning. He loved their trips to Sioux Narrows for vacations to help Russell cut firewood and to putter around Russell’s yard. Brian spent a lot of time with Dean, caring for him. He loved all of his grandchildren dearly, always asking what they were doing. Good or Bad, with his dry humour, saying that was part of growing up. Never making a negative comment, he was always excited to hear about their sports, work or whatever was going on in their lives.

With failing health in 2012, Dean became a resident of the Bengough Health Center. He had his own floor mop hung on the door so he could help the housekeeping staff. We all know that Uncle Dean’s parents, siblings, wife, son-in-law and son were waiting in Heaven with open arms to greet him.

Dean is predeceased by his parents, Orval and Hazel; brothers Dale, Laverne, Wayne and sisters Kathaleen, Beryl, Dolly and Sharon, wife Margaret, son-in-law Carman and son Brian. Dean is survived by his children son Keith, wife Doris and their two children Penny and husband Karl Nergard and sons Catlin and Brodie; and Greg (Jennifer); son Russell, Donna and his two children Kari (Norman) and daughter Jo Lee and Darren, wife Erica and children Adam, Ethan, Mia and a brand new baby girl Clara; daughter Elaine Winter and children Cory and Geana and husband Mike and their girls Bailey, Josie and Paige; son Brian’s two girls Natasha and Lanna and husband Graham Rutledge; brothers Doug and wife Deloris, Butch and wife Elaine; sisters Velda and husband Lorne Mortenson and Shirley husband Marvin and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral Service was held Friday, March 15th, 2013 in the Big Beaver Community Hall, Big Beaver, SK. Kathy Gudnason officiated. Kelly Elder gave the tribute. Pallbearers were: Virgil Vancuren, Dean Holbrook, Howard Holbrook, Milson Harris, Ronnie Aust, and Dave Schwab. Interment followed in the Buffalo Gap Cemetery, Big Beaver, SK. Donations in Memory of Dean can be made to the Bengough Fire Department. Arrangements entrusted to Ross Funeral Service, Assiniboia, SK.