Fredrick J Feist

After a long illness, Fred passed away peacefully in his sleep at St. Paul’s Hospital on October 11, 2015.  He was 91 years and 4 months old. (Those 4 months were important to Fred!) Fred was born on June 8, 1924 to Ella & Fred L. Feist in Reward, SK – the 9th of 17 children. In spring of 1929, the family moved to the farm near Wilkie.  At 6 he began school at Glenlogan, and at mid-term transferred to Maxwell School where he completed his schooling.  Around age 10, the family moved to a farm North of Scott, where Fred’s dad broke his leg. At age 13, the family moved to the current home quarter NW of Wilkie. At age 16, Fred worked on the farm of Emil Anderson for $15.00 a month.  That fall, he went to Capuskasing, ON, to work at Abitibi Pulp and Paper.  According to the rules, he was too young, but he was accepted nonetheless!  At age 17, he was summer farm help for Dan Hughes and was paid $25.00 per month. His winter months were spent at Bill Cook’s caring for his cattle and sheep.  From age 18, Fred spent his summers farming with his Dad.  At 19, Fred worked in the smelter, during the winter, at Trail, BC. In 1943, Fred got his call to the army.  He received a special dispensation because his Dad broke his leg, and he needed Fred to help him on the farm.  In fall 1944, he went to St. Catharine’s, ON, where he worked for General Motors.  In the winters of 1945 & 1946 Fred worked in a bush camp at Whitecourt, AB. Ever since then, Fred worked on the farm—one of the big loves of his life. In 1956, Fred & his Dad built a house in Wilkie. On November 8th, 1977, Fred married Monique (nee Backé) of Winnipeg, MB.  Fred & Monique made their home on the farm.  They had 4 children: Robert (1981), Katrina (1983), Benedict (1985) and Christina (1987).  Fred loved being a Dad! In July 2000, Fred retired from farming and the family moved to Saskatoon.  Fred learned to navigate the bus system and enjoyed traveling to Market Mall for coffee with new friends. In 2011, Fred became ill and was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease.  He still enjoyed life as he was lovingly cared for at home by his youngest daughter with help from the rest of the family. Fred was predeceased by his parents; his siblings: John (Christina, Stella), infant sister Appalonia, Michael (Katie), Kay (George Schell), Otto, Louis (Ann), Marcella (Mark Fenrick), Marie (Peter Fenrich), Minnie (Nick Krill), Don, and Susan; and brother-in-law Georg Backé. Left to cherish his memory are: his wife Monique Feist; his children: Robert, Katrina, Benedict & Christina; his siblings: Agnes Gerein (Jim-deceased), Tony (Margie-deceased), Betty Wagner (Joe-deceased), Sr. Margaret Ann Feist, O.S.U., and Peter (Mariette); numerous nieces and nephews; in-laws: Anna & Hans Backé, Horst Backé (Mark), Ralph & Brenda Backé, Ursula Backé (Gareth).  Fred will be missed for his great sense of humor, his warm gentle hands, and his smile. Prayers for Fred will be held on Thursday, October 15, at 8:00 p.m. and the Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, October 16th, at 1:00 p.m. Both services will be held at Our Lady of Lourdes Church (Corner of Wiggins & 12th Street East). The Rite of Committal will take place at Wilkie Cemetery. The family would like to express heartfelt thanks to Julie & Natalie of the DCF program, CPAS nurses, and Occupational Therapists, especially Holly; to MD Ambulance Services for their expert care; the ER staff at RUH and St. Paul’s Hospital; the staff on 5th & 6th floors at RUH, and 7th floor at St. Paul’s Hospital, which we so often needed to visit and became like second homes to us. Very special thanks to the caring nurses, palliative care and spiritual care, who were so kind and gave Fred such excellent care during the final 6 weeks of his life. We would like to express our thanks most specially, to one very special friend, Father Phong Pham, who became a close friend to Fred.  When Fred could no longer come to church, Father Phong brought the church to Fred.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Mass stipends or to St. Paul’s Hospital or Royal University Hospital. Thank you to John Schachtel and the staff at Mourning Glory Funeral Home for their kind help throughout this time of sadness. (306) 978-5200