Etienne "Steve" Edouard Jalbert

Etienne "Steve" Edouard Jalbert passed away peacefully November 8, 2016, at St. Paul's Hospital, Saskatoon, at the age of 91. He was born October 28, 1925, on his grandparents' farm south of Lafleche, Sk. Steve was predeceased by his parents, Elie and Laura Jalbert; siblings, Henriette, Wilfred, and Roger; and granddaughter, Tory VanKoughnett. He will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 65 years, Semon (Lagasse); children, Marcel (Paige), Rene (Diane), Barbara (William) Albert, Paul (Virginia), Yvonne (Clifford) Kusch, Claude (Michele), Laurine (Roger) VanKoughnett; 17 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren; brothers, Omer (Marcella), and Julien (Yvonne); sisters, Estelle, Laurette (Alex), and Irene (Lloyd); brother-in-law Joe; sisters-in-law, Delia, Laura, Alice, Antoinette, and Jeannine; and numerous extended family members and friends. Steve received his education at Dorgan School & College Mathieu, Gravelbourg. Trucking, construction, custom combining led to a farm purchase north of Perdue in 1951, the year he married Semon. He continued grain and mixed farming , then created Jalbert Construction in 1961 when he purchased his first backhoe and provided water, sewer and trenching service for the farms, towns and parks in the area. In 1962 with a young family to raise, Steve felt the need for a recreational park in the community. He successfully campaigned for the purchase of land and development of Eagle Creek Regional Park. He was the first president of that board and remained as an active member for several years. Volunteer groups included: Sask Assoc. for Regional Parks and the Eagle Creek RM Council. He was also instrumental in the inception of the Community Clinic Health Board for Biggar, SK and the Development Board for the Saskatoon Community Clinic. Amongst these achievements he spent time on the Perdue Rural Telephone Board, and Light School Board; was President and District Director of the Perdue Local of the former Saskatchewan Farmer's Union; he retained his involvement in the National Farmers Union; was a committee member of the Saskatchewan Wheat Pool for over 30 years, and the Saskatchewan Lands Appeal Board for 25 years; he was also a member and President of the Court Sunnyside Canadian Foresters, and the Perdue New Horizon and Perdue Community Complex Board where the new hall and 4 bowling lanes were built. During this time he became a pilot and bought a plane to help him get around faster for business and pleasure. In 1980, Steve completed their dream home in Perdue. Steve and Semon travelled across Canada and several states before settling in Yuma, Arizona for 10 winters. In 2004 they moved to Saskatoon where he enjoyed playing pool, cards, and board games. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to either the St Paul's Hospital Foundation (1702 20th Street W., Saskatoon, SK, S7M0Z9) or Alzheimer Society of Saskatchewan (2550 12 Ave, Regina, SK S4P 3X1). A Celebration of Etienne's "Steve's" life will take place at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, November 14, 2016 at Holy Spirit Parish (114 Kingsmere Pl, Saskatoon).