Anton "Tony" Garman

July 29, 1930 – December 27, 2016

The family is saddened to announce the peaceful passing of Tony on the afternoon of December 27, 2016 at Sherbrooke Community Centre, his home for the last 3 1/2 years.  Tony is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Helen (Kroeger);  their five children, Wayne (Ramona) and their children Cora Leigh (Steve) Alguire, Nicolette Garman (Percy); Donald (Dawn) and their children Caleb Artist, Karin (Bill) MacDonald, Rob McCullock (Michelle), Janyce Yuzbasheva, Charlene (Jeff) Woit, Dominic McCullock;  Brenda Joyce and her children Chris and Tara (Landon);  Sandra (Pat) Richter and their children Ashton (Brett) and Jordan;  Gail (Doug) Little and their children Amelia and Evelyn.  Tony is also survived by 15 great-grand children; in-laws, Andrew (Jean) Berger, Clara Garman, Marian Garman, Agnes Kroeger, Mary Loeppky, Sue Wall, Abe (Barb) Kroeger, Dick (Roberta) Kroeger, Frank Berger, and numerous nieces and nephews.  He was predeceased by his parents, Michael and Magdalena (Weninger) Garman; his brothers and sisters, Rose (George) Singer, Minnie (Marshall) Funk, Helen (Joe) Zerr, Emma Berger, Anna Berger, Edwin (Loretta) Garman, Edward Garman, and Victor Garman; parents-in-law, John and Maria (Dyck) Kroeger;  in-laws, Henry Kroeger, Jean Kroeger, Jake Wall, and John Loeppky.  Tony grew up on his parent’s farm southwest of Allan.  His formal education took place at the one-room Happy School, which was down the road, west of the farm.  Farming was the major activity of Tony’s life, and he left school after Grade 8 to work on the farm. As was a common pattern with rural Saskatchewan farm boys, young female teachers from the one-room schools caught the young mens’ attention.  Tony met and courted a young teacher from Onward School, south of Bradwell, named Helen Kroeger. In August of 1953 they were married.  They set up their farming operation on two quarters of land, two miles southeast of Allan, acquired from a relative, Joe Garman.  Tony was especially proud that one of the original quarter had been in the family since his grandfather, Ignatz Garman, homesteaded it in 1903.  Tony’s approach to farming was to try almost anything that could make money.  This included growing grain crops, cutting hay, milking cows, and raising cattle, chickens, and pigs.  Over the years, he expanded the farm with land purchases, eventually farming ten quarters in the Allan area.  Wheat was initially the main cash crop, with oats and barley grown for feed.  He also tried other crops such as durum wheat, flax, malting barley, and canola.  As he was growing up, he developed a love for horses that he carried throughout his life.  Tony also enjoyed working with livestock, particularly beef cattle.   He expanded the herd from mixed breed cattle to purebred Herefords, and later Angus cattle.  At one time, he had almost 300 head of cattle.  As he grew older, Tony hinted at getting out of cattle and it became a running joke in the family.  We were always waiting for that next year, when he was going to sell the cattle; something that did not occur until he was 80 years old.  A challenging period occurred in the late 1960s.  There was a glut in the world market for wheat, and low prices and small quotas made for difficult times.  With the wheat glut, Tony decided to store the grain on the farm, rather than sell at rock bottom prices.  This resulted in many of the new steel grain bins dotting the farmyard.  However, this turned out to be the correct move when the wheat prices spiked in the early ‘70s, and Tony was able to sell the grain at much more profitable prices.  During his career, Tony experienced dramatic changes as farming methods evolved from horse power, summer fallow, stooking and threshing machines, all the way to air drills, four wheel drive tractors, rotary combines, and continuous cropping.  He was an early adopter of new technologies such as fertilizer, weed chemicals, and dairy milking machines.  Although Tony was known for his dedication to his work, he also found time to pursue other passions.  Through the ‘50s and ‘60s, he played drums in a dance band with cousin Jack Hauck, called the “Midnight Frolickers”.  There were also family get-togethers; Weninger family reunions in Minot, trips to Waskesiu (once the boys could milk the cows), Disneyland, and a European tour in 1992.  And with Helen’s talent for drama, Tony was often pressed into service for skits and mock weddings.  Tony was also a long time member of the Allan Knights of Columbus.  We will always remember Dad’s humour and his ability to emphasize his point by banging the table!  He loved to tell us stories from the past, and always respected the lessons of history we learned from them.  He loved music – to listen to (especially if it was country or big band), to dance to, or to play.  He so loved his grandchildren, and especially loved to share his love of the farm with them.  He was never afraid to try some new innovation in his farming career and we admire how he could transition with seemingly ease.  He had strong ideas about how things should go, and did not hesitate to state that opinion!  His ability to commit to a goal and the work ethic needed to accomplish that goal, was respected and contributed to his farming success.  We will miss you Dad.  We know you are up there in heaven, reunited with all of your brothers and sisters, telling stories and banging the table with your fist!  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the St. Aloysuis Parish Cemetery in Allan or the Sherbrooke Foundation (401 Acadia Dr, Saskatoon, SK S7H 2E7) in recognition of the excellent care Tony received during his time there.  A Vigil for Tony will be held at 7:00 pm on Friday, December 30, 2016.  The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 am on Saturday, December 31, 2016.  Both services will be held at Holy Spirit Roman Catholic Church (114 Kingsmere Place, Saskatoon).  Following the reception, The Rite of Committal will take place at the St. Aloysuis Parish Cemetery in Allan. Arrangements in care of John Schachtel - Mourning Glory Funeral Services (306) 978-5200