Jack Millhouse

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of John Stringer "Jack" Millhouse, late of Cut Knife, Saskatchewan on March 7, 2013 at the age of 92 years. Jack was born on May 28, 1920 at on the family farm in Cut Knife.

Jack leaves behind to forever cherish his memory his loving wife of almost 69 years, Sarah; his children: Terry (Rose), Larry (Diana), and Judy (Ian); grandchildren: Lyle (Jen), Jason (Jenn), Cortni, Shandi, Jarett, Chris, and Donna; great-grandchildren: Jacob and Sarah (Jason and Jenn) ; brother Alvin (Lorraine) Millhouse; sister Alma Sales; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his parents Henry and Helen; siblings Helen, Harry, Margaret, Russell, and Gordon.

Eulogy

When Dad called to tell me about Grandpa’s passing one of the first things he expressed was that he wanted today to be a day of celebrating Grandpa’s life and not a day of sadness. Grandpa lived to see many changes in this world, had a very long and fulfilling life and had an enduring love for his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

When Grandpa and Grandma celebrated their 60th Wedding Anniversary in 2004 we sat with them and asked them to tell us their life stories. What I’m about to read is the story of Grandpa’s life as he told it to his family.

BIRTH - On May 28, 1920 John Stringer Millhouse was born in his parents house on the SE 12 44 22 W3M to Helen Aileen and Henry Charles Millhouse.

CHILDHOOD - Grandpa’s earliest memory was sitting on the pot going to the bathroom outside the house. Other early memories were the horses.

FAMILY - The children in Grandpa’s family are as follows: Helen, Harry, John, Margaret, Russel,

Alma, Alvin, Gordon. Russel died at 18 months old with rickets.

SCHOOLING - Grades 1 to 8 – Alfred School. This was a country school by Robertson’s. The children would walk to school. When Henry and Helen got older they would take the buggy with the children. Grandpa remembers one winter they drove the buggy all winter as there was no snow.

AFTER SCHOOLING - In 1936 at 16 years old Grandpa, Harry, Gordon Tidball, John Tidball, and Earl McGill went to work in Grande Prairie. They did stoking, thrashing and milking cows and were paid $50.00 for two months work. After that Grandpa came home to farm with his Dad. The first land that Grandpa rented was the ½ section back north of the farm where the lake is. The first land that Grandpa bought was the ¼ straight south of the current farm yard. Back in the early years Grandpa said that he paid $.20 for a gallon of fuel. He was paid $.64 per bushel of wheat before the war and $.24 for wheat after the war.

COURTSHIP - The first time that Grandma & Grandpa met was at Great Grandma and Grandpa Millhouse’s house at Christmas time. Helen and Henry invited the Atton’s over for Christmas supper. Grandpa was 16 and Grandma was 15. Grandma & Grandpa dated for three years before being married. They were engaged in the summer of 1943. Grandpa bought Grandma’s ring at Rae’s Jewelers in North Battleford. We asked Grandpa what he had for early memories. They would go the Cut Knife on a Saturday night and walk the streets around town. When they went to North Battleford together for the first time to go to the fair, Grandma thought North Battleford was huge. They liked to go visiting friends and they enjoyed going to the park in North Battleford by the United church. They said how the Queen coming to Unity was such a special occasion, and remembered the children riding in the grain truck to Unity.

WEDDING - On Wednesday June 15, 1944 Grandma & Grandpa were married at the Penecostal Church in Cut Knife. It was an evening Wedding at 7:00. After the ceremony they went to McCormicks for supper. Grandpa’s best man was Grandma’s brother Charlie. Grandma’s Maid of honor was Grandpa’s sister Margaret. That evening Grandma & Grandpa went to North Battleford and stayed at the Auditorium Hotel. They went on to Saskatoon the next day. While in Saskatoon they stayed at the Senator and Bessborough Hotels. They stayed in Saskatoon until Sunday. They enjoyed going to the park by the Bessborough. The Senator cost $1.50 per night and $.30 per meal. The Bessborough cost $5.00 per night.

LIFE AFTER THE WEDDING - After coming home they stayed with Grandpa’s folks Helen and Henry for about one month. Helen and Henry then had their auction and moved to Victoria B.C.

One of Grandpa’s earliest memory as a husband was, “ Waiting for everyone to leave.” There was Helen, Henry, Margaret, Alma, Alvin, Gordon and Grandma & Grandpa all living in the farm house. ” can you imagine 8 people in a small house.” Grandpa also commented that, “ I worked so hard before we were married and the work just went on.”

CHILDREN - Grandma & Grandpa had three children: Terry Dale. Larry Ross, Judy Lynn were all born in Cut Knife. Grandma & Grandpa were kept busy with the farm and the children. The kids were involved in boy scouts, 4H, and skating. All the Children took their schooling in Cut Knife.

FARM - Grandma & Grandpa’s life has always been the farm. Great Grandpa Millhouse homesteaded here over 100 years ago. Grandpa took over from his father and loved the farming life and was always so proud that Larry continued the family farm and is now the third generation.

TRAVEL - Grandma & Grandpa enjoyed traveling. They enjoyed traveling with Bruce and Corrine in the Motorhome. They have traveled to Palm Springs, Florida Keys, Pheonix, Virginia, Hawaii and Mexico. When we asked them what their most memorable trip was they both answered that there trip to Mexico with Larry, Diana and baby Cortni was there most memorable. Cortni was only four months old.

GRANDCHILDREN - Grandma and Grandpa have seven grandchildren: Lyle Thomas, Jason Charles, Cortni Alysha, Shandi Marie, Jarett Daniel, Christopher Scott, and Donna Lynn.

FAVORITE MEMORIES

We asked Grandma & Grandpa what their most memorable moment was with each of their children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. This was their reply:

TERRY - Grandma and grandpa took Terry to Parksville when he was a baby. Outside of Parksville there was a huge root. Terry would run around naked and play in the water. That big root was there at that time and it is still there now as they saw it when they were out a few years back.

LARRY - Larry was always telling his Mommy that he did not need to rest so much. Grandma & Grandpa said that Larry was always such a worker and this started back when he was 3 or 4 years old. Grandpa had a cow that had a calf down at the spring. He took the tractor and the stoneboat down. Grandpa stayed on the stoneboat with the calf to bring it up to the farm and Larry drove the tractor. Grandma said that Larry was not in school yet and was sure he was about 4 years old. Grandma watched out the window and did not know how he was going to stop the tractor. When Larry got to the yard he simply turned the key off.

JUDY - Skating, Skating and more Skating with Judy. But there was more than skating. Grandpa remembers taking Judy out with him when she was about 4 years old. They were cutting strings off of the bales. A cow had just had a calf and took after Grandpa. Grandpa grabbed Judy and pushed her up a tree.

LYLE - They said that Lyle was a happy little boy. Grandma & Grandpa remember Lyle playing in the back yard at their house digging out these huge snow caves. Lyle and Jason would spend hours playing.

JASON - They remember back before he went to school. He would walk around and whistle and swing his arms. The day that Grandpa got his toes cut off in the combine Jason was in the house sleeping. Grandma was in such a panic and took off to the hospital with Grandpa and forgot about Jason. They met Larry driving down the lane as they were going to the hospital. Grandma saw Larry and remembered Jason.

SHANDI - Grandpa said Shandi is a pretty nice little girl. Grandma has always enjoyed Shandi’s piano. Grandpa has always loved the horses so much and has instilled this loved for horses with the children. Grandpa remembers taking Shandi out on the quad to see the horses and feed them treats.

JARETT - Grandma & Grandpa both remembered being at Cochin with Larry & Diana. Jarett was in his little colored inner tube out in the water. Grandma & Grandpa kept calling for Jarett to come back, but he just kept paddling and paddling. Finally Larry had to go and get him.

CORTNI - Grandpa remembers the plane ride with Cortni. She had a baby basket up at the front of the plane and slept lots. Grandpa & Grandma took Cortni up to the pilot in the Cockpitt. Cortni sat on the pilots knee. Grandma & Grandpa always loved it when Cortni was coming to Grandma & Grandpa’s house for lots of sleepovers and waking up with a cheery “Hi Grandma & Grandpa”.

CHRIS - When Chris was just a little guy he loved to ride in the combine with Grandpa. One harvest Chris slipped and fell off the combine and at the last second Grandpa reached out and grabbed him by the foot just before he hit the ground.

DONNA - Donna loved apples and loved to pick apples with Grandma & Grandpa. Grandpa & Grandma remember always taking Donna out to the apple trees and picking her up so that she could reach the “best apples” in the trees.

Jacob - Grandpa loved to watch baby Jacob crawl around on the floor of the North Battleford house playing with the toy combines and giving him little candies to eat.

Sarah - To me grandpas favorite memories of little Sarah would have been seeing grandma holding and playing with her.

Virginia - Virginia isn’t connected to grandpa by blood, but she is still family, for the last 5 years of his life Virginia was always there, and held a special place in his heart.

I want to share what I remember about grandpa. My whole life it was grandpa Jack, yet my dad always called him Jake, and this confused me as a little kid. It wasn’t until my 25th birthday and grandpa and grandma sent me a check for $50. To my astonishment the name on the check was John Stringer Millhouse, I immediately had to call my dad and find out what was going on. I just couldn’t figure out how it took me 25 years to figure this out, to me, he was full of surprises. My last story about grandpa was how he always could take care of what needed to be done. One harvest long ago I was driving a grain truck. As I go racing in to back up to the auger I missed the blocking and backed over the brand new swing out auger, flattening it. My dad was so frustrated with me, and I was at a loss as to what to do. Grandpa got it to the shop and laid out his tools. A Jack all, a chain, a block of wood, and a hammer. It wasn’t long and he had it back up and running. To me, he could do anything.

On behalf of Grandma and all of the Children, Grandchildren, Great Grandchildren, immediate and extended family I want to express our love to you and thank you for being such a role model and inspiration to us all. We will forever hold you dear in our hearts.

Love Forever

Your Grandson

Jason Millhouse

Prayer for Grandpa

Grandpa, you were just a boy

So many years ago

You had your loves and had your dreams

You watched us come and go

You watched us make the same mistakes

That you had made before

But that just made you hold us tight

And love us all the more

We haven’t always thought about

The things that you have seen

To us you’ve just been Grandpa

No thought of who you’ve been

But we remember now in love

Your life from start to end

And we’re just glad we knew you

As Grandpa, and as Friend

* * * * * * * * * *

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of John Stringer "Jack" Millhouse, late of Cut Knife, Saskatchewan on March 7, 2013 at the age of 92 years. Jack was born on May 28, 1920 at on the family farm in Cut Knife.

Jack leaves behind to forever cherish his memory his loving wife of almost 69 years, Sarah; his children: Terry (Rose), Larry, and Judy (Ian); grandchildren: Lyle (Jen), Jason (Jenn), Cortni, Shandi, Jarett, Chris, and Donna; great-grandchildren: Jacob and Sarah (Jason and Jenn) ; brother Alvin (Lorraine) Millhouse; sister Alma Sales; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his parents Henry and Helen; siblings Helen, Harry, Margaret, Russell, and Gordon.

Eulogy

When Dad called to tell me about Grandpa’s passing one of the first things he expressed was that he wanted today to be a day of celebrating Grandpa’s life and not a day of sadness. Grandpa lived to see many changes in this world, had a very long and fulfilling life and had an enduring love for his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

When Grandpa and Grandma celebrated their 60th Wedding Anniversary in 2004 we sat with them and asked them to tell us their life stories. What I’m about to read is the story of Grandpa’s life as he told it to his family.

BIRTH - On May 28, 1920 John Stringer Millhouse was born in his parents house on the SE 12 44 22 W3M to Helen Aileen and Henry Charles Millhouse.

CHILDHOOD - Grandpa’s earliest memory was sitting on the pot going to the bathroom outside the house. Other early memories were the horses.

FAMILY - The children in Grandpa’s family are as follows: Helen, Harry, John, Margaret, Russel,

Alma, Alvin, Gordon. Russel died at 18 months old with rickets.

SCHOOLING - Grades 1 to 8 – Alfred School. This was a country school by Robertson’s. The children would walk to school. When Henry and Helen got older they would take the buggy with the children. Grandpa remembers one winter they drove the buggy all winter as there was no snow.

AFTER SCHOOLING - In 1936 at 16 years old Grandpa, Harry, Gordon Tidball, John Tidball, and Earl McGill went to work in Grande Prairie. They did stoking, thrashing and milking cows and were paid $50.00 for two months work. After that Grandpa came home to farm with his Dad. The first land that Grandpa rented was the ½ section back north of the farm where the lake is. The first land that Grandpa bought was the ¼ straight south of the current farm yard. Back in the early years Grandpa said that he paid $.20 for a gallon of fuel. He was paid $.64 per bushel of wheat before the war and $.24 for wheat after the war.

COURTSHIP - The first time that Grandma & Grandpa met was at Great Grandma and Grandpa Millhouse’s house at Christmas time. Helen and Henry invited the Atton’s over for Christmas supper. Grandpa was 16 and Grandma was 15. Grandma & Grandpa dated for three years before being married. They were engaged in the summer of 1943. Grandpa bought Grandma’s ring at Rae’s Jewelers in North Battleford. We asked Grandpa what he had for early memories. They would go the Cut Knife on a Saturday night and walk the streets around town. When they went to North Battleford together for the first time to go to the fair, Grandma thought North Battleford was huge. They liked to go visiting friends and they enjoyed going to the park in North Battleford by the United church. They said how the Queen coming to Unity was such a special occasion, and remembered the children riding in the grain truck to Unity.

WEDDING - On Wednesday June 15, 1944 Grandma & Grandpa were married at the Penecostal Church in Cut Knife. It was an evening Wedding at 7:00. After the ceremony they went to McCormicks for supper. Grandpa’s best man was Grandma’s brother Charlie. Grandma’s Maid of honor was Grandpa’s sister Margaret. That evening Grandma & Grandpa went to North Battleford and stayed at the Auditorium Hotel. They went on to Saskatoon the next day. While in Saskatoon they stayed at the Senator and Bessborough Hotels. They stayed in Saskatoon until Sunday. They enjoyed going to the park by the Bessborough. The Senator cost $1.50 per night and $.30 per meal. The Bessborough cost $5.00 per night.

LIFE AFTER THE WEDDING - After coming home they stayed with Grandpa’s folks Helen and Henry for about one month. Helen and Henry then had their auction and moved to Victoria B.C.

One of Grandpa’s earliest memory as a husband was, “ Waiting for everyone to leave.” There was Helen, Henry, Margaret, Alma, Alvin, Gordon and Grandma & Grandpa all living in the farm house. ” can you imagine 8 people in a small house.” Grandpa also commented that, “ I worked so hard before we were married and the work just went on.”

CHILDREN - Grandma & Grandpa had three children: Terry Dale. Larry Ross, Judy Lynn were all born in Cut Knife. Grandma & Grandpa were kept busy with the farm and the children. The kids were involved in boy scouts, 4H, and skating. All the Children took their schooling in Cut Knife.

FARM - Grandma & Grandpa’s life has always been the farm. Great Grandpa Millhouse homesteaded here over 100 years ago. Grandpa took over from his father and loved the farming life and was always so proud that Larry continued the family farm and is now the third generation.

TRAVEL - Grandma & Grandpa enjoyed traveling. They enjoyed traveling with Bruce and Corrine in the Motorhome. They have traveled to Palm Springs, Florida Keys, Pheonix, Virginia, Hawaii and Mexico. When we asked them what their most memorable trip was they both answered that there trip to Mexico with Larry, Diana and baby Cortni was there most memorable. Cortni was only four months old.

GRANDCHILDREN - Grandma and Grandpa have seven grandchildren: Lyle Thomas, Jason Charles, Cortni Alysha, Shandi Marie, Jarett Daniel, Christopher Scott, and Donna Lynn.

FAVORITE MEMORIES

We asked Grandma & Grandpa what their most memorable moment was with each of their children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. This was their reply:

TERRY - Grandma and grandpa took Terry to Parksville when he was a baby. Outside of Parksville there was a huge root. Terry would run around naked and play in the water. That big root was there at that time and it is still there now as they saw it when they were out a few years back.

LARRY - Larry was always telling his Mommy that he did not need to rest so much. Grandma & Grandpa said that Larry was always such a worker and this started back when he was 3 or 4 years old. Grandpa had a cow that had a calf down at the spring. He took the tractor and the stoneboat down. Grandpa stayed on the stoneboat with the calf to bring it up to the farm and Larry drove the tractor. Grandma said that Larry was not in school yet and was sure he was about 4 years old. Grandma watched out the window and did not know how he was going to stop the tractor. When Larry got to the yard he simply turned the key off.

JUDY - Skating, Skating and more Skating with Judy. But there was more than skating. Grandpa remembers taking Judy out with him when she was about 4 years old. They were cutting strings off of the bales. A cow had just had a calf and took after Grandpa. Grandpa grabbed Judy and pushed her up a tree.

LYLE - They said that Lyle was a happy little boy. Grandma & Grandpa remember Lyle playing in the back yard at their house digging out these huge snow caves. Lyle and Jason would spend hours playing.

JASON - They remember back before he went to school. He would walk around and whistle and swing his arms. The day that Grandpa got his toes cut off in the combine Jason was in the house sleeping. Grandma was in such a panic and took off to the hospital with Grandpa and forgot about Jason. They met Larry driving down the lane as they were going to the hospital. Grandma saw Larry and remembered Jason.

SHANDI - Grandpa said Shandi is a pretty nice little girl. Grandma has always enjoyed Shandi’s piano. Grandpa has always loved the horses so much and has instilled this loved for horses with the children. Grandpa remembers taking Shandi out on the quad to see the horses and feed them treats.

JARETT - Grandma & Grandpa both remembered being at Cochin with Larry & Diana. Jarett was in his little colored inner tube out in the water. Grandma & Grandpa kept calling for Jarett to come back, but he just kept paddling and paddling. Finally Larry had to go and get him.

CORTNI - Grandpa remembers the plane ride with Cortni. She had a baby basket up at the front of the plane and slept lots. Grandpa & Grandma took Cortni up to the pilot in the Cockpitt. Cortni sat on the pilots knee. Grandma & Grandpa always loved it when Cortni was coming to Grandma & Grandpa’s house for lots of sleepovers and waking up with a cheery “Hi Grandma & Grandpa”.

CHRIS - When Chris was just a little guy he loved to ride in the combine with Grandpa. One harvest Chris slipped and fell off the combine and at the last second Grandpa reached out and grabbed him by the foot just before he hit the ground.

DONNA - Donna loved apples and loved to pick apples with Grandma & Grandpa. Grandpa & Grandma remember always taking Donna out to the apple trees and picking her up so that she could reach the “best apples” in the trees.

Jacob - Grandpa loved to watch baby Jacob crawl around on the floor of the North Battleford house playing with the toy combines and giving him little candies to eat.

Sarah - To me grandpas favorite memories of little Sarah would have been seeing grandma holding and playing with her.

Virginia - Virginia isn’t connected to grandpa by blood, but she is still family, for the last 5 years of his life Virginia was always there, and held a special place in his heart.

I want to share what I remember about grandpa. My whole life it was grandpa Jack, yet my dad always called him Jake, and this confused me as a little kid. It wasn’t until my 25th birthday and grandpa and grandma sent me a check for $50. To my astonishment the name on the check was John Stringer Millhouse, I immediately had to call my dad and find out what was going on. I just couldn’t figure out how it took me 25 years to figure this out, to me, he was full of surprises. My last story about grandpa was how he always could take care of what needed to be done. One harvest long ago I was driving a grain truck. As I go racing in to back up to the auger I missed the blocking and backed over the brand new swing out auger, flattening it. My dad was so frustrated with me, and I was at a loss as to what to do. Grandpa got it to the shop and laid out his tools. A Jack all, a chain, a block of wood, and a hammer. It wasn’t long and he had it back up and running. To me, he could do anything.

On behalf of Grandma and all of the Children, Grandchildren, Great Grandchildren, immediate and extended family I want to express our love to you and thank you for being such a role model and inspiration to us all. We will forever hold you dear in our hearts.

Love Forever

Your Grandson

Jason Millhouse

The Celebration of Jack’s Life was held on Monday, March 11, 2013 from the Cut Knife Curling Rink with Reverend Grant Wasmuth officiating. Jason Millhouse gave the eulogy. Pallbearers were: Lyle Millhouse, Jason Millhouse, Kenneth Wilson, Brett Robertson, Travis Bullerwell, and Kirk Brebner. Interment took place at the Cut Knife Cemetery. The family have requested that donations in Jack’s memory be made to Cut Knife Special Care Home, PO Box 220, Cut Knife, SK S0M 0N0. To view the whole obituary and leave condolences for the family, please visit www.sallowsandmcdonald.com Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Kristeen Thiessen of Sallows and McDonald - Wilson and Zehner Funeral Home, North Battleford. 445-2418