William "Bill" Kary

With great sadness the family of William Raphael Kary “Bill” announce his passing on January 25th, 2021 at Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon, SK. His children were by his side and held his hand for many hours in his final days.

He will be sorely missed and survived by his children: Martin (Krysta) and Christine (Scott), siblings: Wilfred (Cathy), Helena, Eileen, Lillian, and Armella, grandsons: Taylor and Jake, spouse of 36 years: Nicole, godchildren: Jacquie (Doug), Anne (Dion), Ginger (Tim), and Michelle, and many cherished nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his dear parents: Peter and Anna, siblings: Edwin and Jack, brothers-in-law: Roger, Eddy, and Ernest, sister-in-law: Penny, and several beloved Quarter Horses, Morgans, and Clydesdales, not to mention a few farm dogs he would never admit to liking.

Dad was born on September 6th, 1944 in Allan, SK and lived every one of his 76 years there. He met our mom, Nicole (Niki), in 1974 at the Allan Four Seasons restaurant, which was owned and operated by Niki’s sister, Evelyn, and brother-in-law, Karl, and they were married in 1976 until 2012. Their grain, cattle, and horse farm required much time and energy, as did raising a boy, Martin, and a girl, Christine. A favourite pastime was going for nightly drives through the town and countryside in all weather conditions, but the stormier the better! Innumerable winter days were spent snowmobiling while travels included Las Vegas, out-of-province rodeos, to see family every Christmas, RV campgrounds, and family trips to Vancouver, Vancouver Island, and West Edmonton Mall.

Dad was a devout Roman Catholic who could be found in church on Sundays… except during harvest… unless it rained. He would often embarrass his daughter during Sunday mass by appearing to fall asleep, only to proclaim later he was “resting his eyes.”

In her early years, Christine was daddy’s little girl and he called her his “Christiteeny.” She will always remember the snow hills he made for her with the tractor, him towing her on skis behind the Honda trike, the miniature horses he bought for her, and the Holstein calf he showed her how to bottle feed. In recent years, Christine began playing for the Miss Conducts hockey team in Allan and Dad never missed a Friday night home game. Indeed, the reason she played was so her biggest fan could watch her take the ice.

As Martin grew up he became a big help to Dad on the farm, learning to drive tractors, swathers, and the combine, fixing equipment breakdowns, and tending to the livestock. It can be surmised that Martin inherited the gene for loving a loud exhaust on a GMC pickup from Dad. After Martin took over the farm in 2012, Dad remained in close proximity to his grandsons. He loved watching Taylor and Jake play outside on the farm, often driving some type of miniature four-wheeler or snowmobile (these are Martin’s children, after all).

Those who knew Dad can attest to the following: he exercised strict brand loyalty and suffice to say Pepsi, GMC, and Wrangler have lost a committed customer; he never threw anything away, so if anyone is looking for old phone books, rinsed-out ice cream pails, or truck parts, please get in touch (Ford owners need not inquire); and, he had no use for modern consumer technology: no laptop, tablet, or email address. His smartphone had no data plan. Efforts to teach him to text were… let’s just say they were ongoing. Instead, he lived simply, left voicemails, loved talking to people and any occasion to socialize, and was steadfast in his belief that what other people think of you is nothing to worry about. But, most of all, he was happy and kind.

Dad once remarked to Christine he wanted to be a farmer, a rancher, and a trucker and that he had been all three in his life. Many would have never known Dad was diagnosed with CLL, Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia, in 2015. He responded extremely well to two rounds of chemotherapy with long stretches in between where he enjoyed a high quality of life, continuing on with nearly 20 years of work for Charlie and Marj Smith, farming for Mike, Denise, and Bev Wingrove, going to coffee row for caffeinated conversation, baling hay and working cattle with Len Koop, volunteering with the Saskatchewan Pleasure Drivers Association, hunting and trapping, and doing daily chores for his horses. It was only during the last few months that the disease gained the upper hand and Dad became ill. Still, he had hoped to get better and return home to the farm.

As his children, we know we were Dad’s proudest accomplishments and that he loved us unconditionally. His passion, however, was horses. He loved team roping, team penning, and pulling a wagon or sleigh behind a team of horses. Cowboy, you have ridden off into the sunset and we hope you are roping and riding in Heaven. We will look for you in the spirit of your horses and any horse we come upon from now until forever.

Bill’s family gives thanks to his primary care team at RUH Unit 6100. If so kindly compelled, please make memorial donations to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Canada (llscanada.org) or give blood (blood.ca).   

Due to COVID-19 restrictions and escalations, a private viewing will take place on Thursday, January 28th, 2021 and a graveside service and burial on Monday, February 1st, 2021. As he wished, our dad will be retired to the same final resting place as his parents at St. Aloysius Roman Catholic Cemetery in Allan, SK. A memorial gathering will be held when COVID-19 is behind us and we may come together to share memories, hugs, and food, hopefully later this year. Arrangements in care of Travis Minor – Mourning Glory Funeral Services (306) 978-5200.