Donald Victor Wilkinson

Don was born in Milestone, Saskatchewan on October 18, 1926 to Victor and Ruth Wilkinson of Yellow Grass. He was the second of three children. Don received his early education in Yellow Grass, graduating from grade 12 in June 1944. As a young child, Don’s two passions started to emerge; his love of music and horses. His parents bought him his first accordion in early childhood along with a Shetland pony. The love of music and the accordion continued through his school years and into adulthood. Don was a member of several bands through the years, with the last group being “The Bad Boys.”

In April of 1945 at 18 ½ years old, Dan travelled to Kingston, Ontario and on April 4, 1945 he signed up as a Naval Airman second class with the fleet air arm, a branch of the British Navy. He was discharged in August 1945 when the war ended. As a veteran, Don was given the opportunity to attend the University of Saskatchewan. He enrolled in the School of Agriculture two year program and completed year one.

Don’s love of horses and ranching took him to a large cattle ranch in California where he would learn the cowboy way of life. He spent the winters of 1947 and 1948 there, at the Irvine Ranch. It was the foreman of the ranch that directed Don to New Mexico where he purchased and imported one of the first Registered Quarter horses in Canada. Don then became one of the founding members of the Canadian Quarter Horse Association.

Don met Dorothy Hesby in 1947 and in the spring of 1951, he asked for her hand in marriage. It was a conditional response, “only if you have a job.” On May 1, 1951, Don became the manager of the Goodwater Community Pasture and as a result, their wedding took place June 20, 1951.

This was the beginning of a 32 year career with the PFRA. Here they raised their three children, Doug, Barb and Warren. In 1984, Don and Dorothy moved to the Rafter Hat Ranch. This was their true labour of love. The ranching life continued there until July of 2009 when they moved to Weyburn to start a new well deserved retirement.

Dorothy passed away in 2016, and in January of 2022, Don left their home to live at Parkway Lodge where he remained until his passing.

Donald was predeceased by his wife, Dorothy Sylvia Wilkinson; parents, Victor and Ruth Wilkinson; parents in law, Ross and Gerda Hesby; sister, Elaine (Jack) Bray; brother, Murray “Bus” (Audrey) Wilkinson; sister in law, Anna Maki; brother in law, Roy Maki and brother in law, Earl Hesby.

Donald will be lovingly remembered by his son, Doug Wilkinson of Arrowwood, AB; daughter, Barb Blackmer (Rich Wilde) of Regina, SK; son, Warren (Elise) Wilkinson of Weyburn, SK; grandchildren: Darla (Kurtis) McFazden, Danielle (Brodie) Hanke, Kenna, Darby and Tara Wilkinson; Aaron (Gina) Blackmer, Sharla (Jarrod) Sidloski; Liz (Aaron) Bohnert and Nikki (Nicole) Rebrinsky; 10 great grandchildren and sister in law, Audrey Hesby.

A Visitation will take place on Friday, December 19, 2025 at Fletcher Funeral Chapel, Weyburn, Weyburn, Saskatchewan from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and the Funeral Service will be held Saturday, December 20, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. from Grace United Church, Weyburn, Saskatchewan with Reverend Trust officiating. Interment will follow at Hillcrest Cemetery, Weyburn, Saskatchewan. Pallbearers will be Aaron Blackmer, Barry Mercer, Brian Winter, Darren Barnard, Marshall Holliday and Ron Newett.

Donations in memory of Donald may be made to Heart & Stroke Foundation or charity of the donor’s choice.