Calvin Daku

Calvin is survived by his wife Adele (nee Szakacs); children: Brenda (Jim Elliott) of Carlyle, SK, Robert (Shauna Forester) of Arcola,SK, Howard (Brenda Trail) of Kipling, SK and Eric (Tamara Golemba) of Calgary, AB; his sister Ethel (George Demyen deceased) of Dawson Creek, BC; brother-in-law Stan Fraser (Ella Daku deceased) of Ontario; sister-in-law Doris (Richard Barta deceased) of Kipling, SK; brother-in-law Arthur Szakacs (Gwen Trotter deceased) and Colleen of Regina, SK. and many step-grandchildren, cousins, nieces, nephews, godchildren, friends and their families.

Dad enjoyed his grand and great-grandchildren and could recall all of their birth dates from memory. They include: Jared (Krista Moscato); Jason; Ian Gardner (Kimberly Phaneuf) and daughters Hanna and Ella; Lindsey (Dan Bussiere), son Arlo, Jennifer (Nathan Morrice) and children, Kaitlyn, Kallie, Max and Tate; Samantha (Jeff Chupik) and children, Aiden, Jacob and Emma; Regan (Jacquie) and children Cruz and Jace; Arianne Graham and children Tucker and Aubrey; Aiden Daku, James and Miles Forester; Dallas and children Quinn and Danica; Kalan (Candice Burdzy) and Madison.

Dad was predeceased by his son Jack; grandson John Calvin Daku Gardner; brothers and their spouses: Ben (Julia), James (Jean), Joe (Helen), Frank (Fern); sisters: Barbara (Andy Kimery), Mary (Walter Stevens), Ella (Stan Frazer) and Martha (Emil Nagy) and many predeceased brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.

Cal was born on August 7,1929 on the family farm south of Kipling, Saskatchewan. From a young age Dad began his life as a farmer with his father Balint, growing grain and raising cattle. Calvin and Adele (Szakacs) married on October 21, 1949 and together they raised five children while working together planting and harvesting crops, haying, raising cattle, pigs, chickens, ducks and a very large garden of vegetables to provide for all the hungry mouths in the family and hired men. Together they socialized with neighbours, played cards, took vacations to the US and Europe, enjoyed dancing, curling and all the great things of rural and small-town life. Calvin and Adele celebrated their 75th anniversary in 2024 with their family.

Dad and Mom moved into Kipling in 1990 and Dad continued to drive out to the farm to help during key times of the year. In retirement his passion and love of agriculture was still strong and over time he shifted his focus from the farm to his vegetable garden. Dad loved being a farmer and was always proud to talk about how important farming was to feed people. He liked to explain all the different skills and knowledge you needed to be a successful farmer: from mechanic to veterinarian, welder, carpenter, inventor, financial manager and more. He was often there to help his neighbours to complete harvest, fix machinery, lend a tool, fix fences, build sheds and move snow, whatever was needed. He will be fondly remembered by all who knew him and deeply missed by his family.

A public visitation was held in Tubman Funeral Home, Kipling, SK on Wednesday, June 25, 2025 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. A graveside service for immediate and extended family was held in the Bekevar Presbyterian Cemetery on Thursday, June 26, 2025 at 10:30 a.m., with Chris Toth officiating. A public celebration of life was held in the Kipling Community Centre, Kipling, SK on Thursday, June 26, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. There will be a short program, followed by a light lunch and refreshments.

In lieu of flowers and cards, a donation in memoriam may be made to the Kipling Friendship Club, Box 473, Kipling, SK, S0G 2S0, (no receipts provided for income tax) or Bekevar Heritage Inc., Box 865, Kipling, SK, S0G 2S0.