Paul D. Wicklund

He was predeceased by his parents, Simon and Margaret Wicklund and his dear wife, Darlene. He will be greatly missed by his sister Karen Nicholls; his son David (Nancy); grandsons Nicholas and Stephen; his faithful daughter Lisa and his grand-whippets Quill Wicklund and Isadora Twig.

Paul was charming and beautiful from birth, with sparkling, mischievous blue eyes, a playful, big heart and intelligent wit that grew with him throughout his life. Raised in Mutrie, on the Wicklund Homestead, near Montmartre, he spent the first four and a half years of his life as an only child and master of his domain before being displaced by his beloved, pesky, little sister, Karen. He found consolation in his dog Skipper, his first friend and greatest playmate. Paul studied by correspondence at the local Philomath School and Caronport before completing his education at Luther College in Regina. In 1958, he married his childhood sweetheart the love of his life, Darlene Wiggins of Fillmore. Paul and Darlene took over the Wicklund family farm, where they weathered the ups and downs and all arounds of micro farming, small business and Mother Nature for the next 50 years.

Paul loved his community and spending time with his friends and neighbours, who were always considered family. He was a born sports fan, sitting by the radio to listen intently to Hockey Night In Canada as a child. Baseball became his game of choice, which he enjoyed throughout his lifetime, playing it, watching it and coaching it.

Paul and Darlene had a great partnership and marriage, together they enjoyed raising their children and later spoiling their grandchildren and granddogs. They enjoyed golfing, curling, playing cards, Sunday drives and early morning coffee watching the sunrise with CBC radio or one of their favourite albums playing in the background. They danced beautifully through their years together, floating around weddings, big band concerts and community events. Paul loved a party and a toast, he had a light and magnetic personality that made him fun to be around, but he was also quiet and introspective, with a deep intelligence and thoughtful nature. Paul loved the land: the prairie fields and sunshine, and the dark quiet nights in winter. A dedicated escapist and bookworm, he kept his local library busy bringing in new books when he'd read everything they had. Paul had a keen interest in machinery and tinkering on unusual vehicles; a skill he shared with his beloved city-living grandsons, whom he proudly taught to drive a stick shift on and off the grid roads around the countryside, ditches included.

Paul's ethics were based on humanist ideals, non conformist, inquisitive and non-judgemental, respectful of all races and cultures and accepting of the life choices of the people he met on the path of his long life. He raised David and Lisa with those same values, instilling in them the courage to be themselves, and the curiosity to explore the world. Paul was generous, and believed strongly that one's door, heart and pocketbook, if possible, should always be open to anyone in need. Above all, Paul was gentle, thoughtful and kind.

We are so very grateful to the staff of the Montmartre Care Home who looked after Paul in the last years of his life. Although Alzheimer's disease took away his ability to speak, we know he felt safe and sheltered in their deep warmth and kindness.

"His life was gentle and the elements so mixed in him that Nature might stand up and say to all the world 'This was a man'" ~ William Shakespeare

A celebration of life will follow in the warmth of summer on the prairies In the community he loved.