Grover William Cleveland

May 26, 1922 – May 19, 2012

Grover Cleveland of Bengough, SK, passed away on Saturday, May 19, 2012. with his family by his side.

Grover is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Dolores (nee Kyle); his six children: Lorraine (Bob) Bellay, Linda Cleveland, Ivan (Sheila) Cleveland, Norma (Ken) Mossing, Laural (Marlene) Cleveland, Ross (Naomi) Cleveland; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; his brother Floyd Cleveland and sisters Millie Meston and Lenore Neddo, numerous nieces and nephews and his faithful little dog, Benny. Grover was predeceased by his parents, Bill and Gladys Cleveland, brothers Frank Nicholls, and Lloyd Cleveland, sister Luella VanAlstyne and daughter-in-law Diane Cleveland.

Born and raised on a farm east of Bengough, Grover spent his entire life farming till October 2011, when he handed over his life’s hard work to his three sons. As a young man, he worked at the coal mines near Estevan and worked on various farms in the Bengough area. Grover and his brother Frank signed up to serve in the war. Due to health reasons, Grover was not enlisted. After marrying the love of his life, Dolores Kyle, in 1948, they settled on the Bill Kyle farm east of Bengough. Together they centered their life on their children, grain farming, Hereford cattle, and Grover’s black Percheron horses. As years passed, Grover purchased more farm land east and west of his home place. In 1975, Grover and Dolores moved to Bengough. Grover loved company at the farm and would invite them for a meal of home grown food. He would always say “help yourself to the food but watch you don’t get 8 forks in the back of your hand.” This was Grover’s good sense of humour – always joking and not giving a straight answer. Weather and time were an important part of Grover’s everyday living and conversation. Even in his last days, he would lift his arm to try to look at his watch. He always wanted to be on time for his 3 square meals. Grover drove the school bus for 21 years and established a special relationship with every child on the bus. Many of his interests and activities revolved around his horses – giving sleigh rides (after the harness was polished by his children); organizing threshing bees at his west farm which involved his family and the community; participating in horse shows with his Percherons, and attending many rodeos. In 2008 Grover and Dolores purchased an RV trailer, spending their summers camping at Thomson Lake Regional Park. Grover enjoyed reading the newspapers and in his later years became an avid book reader. He was a “thinker” and would make decisions with much thought. He would often say “I was thinking…” Grover was a man who lived by simple means – a piece of haywire or copper wire and a pair of pliers would fix anything. He did not show his emotions but through his actions of a simple gesture or sense of humor, he expressed his deep love for his wife and family. His grandchildren and great-grandchildren brought tremendous joy to his life – “the clan” as he would say. Grover was a hardworking, generous, caring and compassionate family man who instilled these qualities in his family through living it. He will be sadly missed but his love and memories will live on forever in the hearts of family and friends. The family would like to thank the Pangman and Bengough Ambulance attendants, the Regina General Hospital staff, and the Bengough Health Centre staff and Dr. Oberholzer for the compassion and care given to Grover.

A private family graveside service was held Monday, May 21, 2012, at the Bengough Cemetery as Grover wished. Memorials in Memory of Grover may be directed to the Bengough Ambulance Fund or charity of donor’s choice. Ross Funeral Service, Assiniboia, SK. An online book of condolences may be signed at www.rossfuneralservice.com