Donald Samuel McCracken

It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Donald McCracken late of Weyburn on January 02, 2022 at the age of 94. Don was predeceased by his loving wife, Regina Margaret (Irwin) McCracken, his parents Walter and Marie (Crandel) McCracken, his sister Grace McCracken, brothers Walter, William, Robert, James, Roy, and Harold, and sisters-in-law Ann McCracken of Saskatoon, Marie McCracken, Lethbridge, Naomi McCracken, Medicine Hat, Marie McCracken, Regina. He is survived by his wife's daughter Elaine (Brian) Van Ryckeghem of Kelowna, and their two sons, Derek (Jenn) and their children Makana and Brison of Kelowna, and Jeff (Crystal)and their children Nora and Elleni of Kelowna, sister-in-law Shirley McCracken, Regina, and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews, and extended families. Donald was born on March 26, 1927 to Walter and Marie McCracken on the family farm NW 19-09-22 West of the 2nd, approximately three miles NW of Edgeworth. Don had good hardworking parents, a sister, three older brothers and three younger brothers. Times were tough back then and the whole family had to work together to make a living. Each year they planted a large vegetable garden. They also planted berries, fruit trees, and kept bees. There were cows to milk, chickens and pigs to feed, water to haul, wood to chop, and the list goes on. When the children had finished their work, they played with their homemade toys and made up games to play. Although, the family worked hard, they had many good times together and with their friends and neighbours. He attended Dahinda School completing his Grade 8 with high honours. He was also the janitor of the school during some of his school years. At that time Dahinda school was a one room schoolhouse, about two and one half miles NE of the present day Dahinda town site. In 1943 at the age of sixteen, Don started farming on some rented land with the help of the twenty bushels of wheat given to him by his father. He also worked for other farmers at the same time. In 1945 and part of 1946 Don built a house for Jim Harrison, as well as helping him with the farm work. In 1946, he bought a new 44 Massey Harris tractor for $1,800.10 and a second hand threshing machine. He then hired a threshing crew and threshed for a number of farmers from 1946 to 1948. Starting in 1947, he worked for two winters in Alberta for ranchers, and another two winters for construction companies in Alberta. During summer months, Don would farm, he also did custom work for other farmers such as seeding, summer fallowing, baling, swathing, and combining. Through hard work and good management, Don was able to purchase his own land in the late fifties and early sixties and establish his own farm. He raised cattle, operated a feedlot, and grain farmed. Don was a hard worker, rising early and working late. Having a logical and inventive mind made him into a creative man of many talents, who could almost fix anything. As well as being a farmer, he was a businessman, self-taught carpenter, mechanic, welder, plumber, to name a few. On June 27, 1964, he married the love of his life, Regina Margaret Irwin, which was the beginning of 45 wonderful years together. Having someone to share in his life and farm was of utmost importance to Don. They had a close relationship and they enjoyed spending as much time as possible together. Don was a very devoted husband and it was said he treated his wife like a queen. After their marriage in 1964 Don, Marg and their daughter, Elaine lived on his parent’s homestead farm. In 1966 they moved to their own farm about a mile east of Dahinda on which Don had built a new house. Over the years, Don and Marg continued to construct the rest of the farm buildings. In the early 70's, Don went into business establishing the McCracken Garage. The McCracken Garage sold small tools and machinery parts, did mechanic work, welding and fixed machinery. When he found that the business was interfering too much with his farming, he returned to his first love of farming on a full time basis. Don was a farmer at heart. He enjoyed being close to the land and nature. Over the years Don and Marg planted thousands of trees and developed one of the nicest farms and farmyards in the district. It goes without saying, that if anyone came to their place they were expected to come in for coffee and lunch. Some of Don's hobbies included visiting, gardening and yardwork, travelling, snowmobiling, camping, carpentry work, mechanic work, listening to music, and quilting with Marg. Don's biggest hobby was collecting antiques with Marg, which gave him a great opportunity to meet and visit with many interesting people. They collected about 20,000 antiques, which they cleaned, refurbished, repaired and built museums to store them in. They certainly enjoyed their monthly trips to Minot ND to look for antiques and shop. Don served on the Dahinda wheat pool committee for 26 years, the curling rink board, the community hall board, and the snowplow club in which he operated the snowplow for one year. More recently Don became one of the biggest financial supporters in the building of the new Radville Marian Health Centre. In recognition of his contributions, one of the nursing home houses was named in honour of him and his wife. In 2007, they sold their farm and retired in Weyburn. After his wife passed away in 2010, he became good friends with Doug and Edith Lupanko sharing many Sunday suppers at their home. Don became part of their family gatherings at Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving, and special occasions. They enjoyed many good times together and became very special friends. Also after Don’s wife passed away most afternoons Don could be found having coffee with his many friends at McDonalds. After his coffee, he usually went to Walmart to shop and visit. After moving to Tatagwa View in 2016, Don still enjoyed having coffee with his friends at A&W once a week and his friends at McDonalds a couple of times a week. Don was a kind and caring man with a calm and gentle nature. He was a friendly person and always had a smile and something nice to say to everyone he met. He was blessed with a sharp mind and an excellent memory, which made visiting with him a pleasure. He believed in doing unto others, as he would have others do unto him. Don will be sincerely missed by those who were fortunate enough to know him. We would like to extend our sincere thanks to the staff of Tatagwa View care home for the excellent and compassionate care given to Don during his 5 plus years of residency there. A Memorial Service for Don was held on Saturday January 08, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. at Fletcher Funeral Chapel Ltd. Weyburn, Sk. with Reverend M. Barnabas officiating. Interment was at Hillcrest Cemetery, Weyburn, SK. For family and friends so wishing, donations in memory of Don can be made to a charity of their choice. We would like to thank everybody for their kindness evidenced in thought and deed with Don's passing.