Gerald William Jaster
July 13, 1935 – October 9, 2017

Gerald “Gerry” Jaster of Bethany Pioneer Village, Middle lake, SK passed away on Monday, October 9th, 2017 at Royal University Hospital, Saskatoon, SK. He was 82 years of age. Gerry was born on July 13, 1935 to William “Bill” and Locadia (nee Baran) Jaster of Cudworth, SK. He grew up on the family farm west of Pilger and attended Wilfred Country School. From a young age, Gerry had a passion for farming and after completing grade 8 at age 14; he began to help on his Dad’s farm. Gerry started farming on his own in 1954, and he seeded his last crop in 2009, farming 55 consecutive years. He married Meta Demmert on October 11, 1957. Their lives together were short-lived as Meta passed away on April 3, 1959. In 1978, Gerry married Dolores (nee Kopp) Stepper. In 1983, Gerry and Dolores were blessed with a son, Morgan. A community-minded person, Gerry served on the Middle Lake Credit Union board for 25 years, and was a charter member of the Middle Lake Lions Club.  Gerald developed a special relationship with his nieces Tammy and Darla who spent time on the farm with their uncle as children in the summers. They fondly recall him building a teeter totter, taming the cats roaming the hayloft and being treated to a wonderful array of sweet treats and a quick and wry sense of humor.  They also explored with Gerry, along with Grandma Locadia, the history of the area that included discovering the remnants of the Carlton Trail the historic deep-rutted freight trail which wound its way over a part of the pasture which years before provided the only means of travel and communication over the unfenced prairies and lead to the opening up of the Great Plains country of the Canadian West. As he would all of his life, Gerald maintained a solemn watch and care over this land. Gerry was a man committed to his farm and community and his later family. He always helped his neighbors and displayed an unyielding patience. In addition to his self-taught ability to maintain his own farm equipment, he was a voracious reader and beside the issues of regional newspapers and farming magazines, could also be found treatises on world and military history and the complete works of Shakespeare. Following his marriage to Dolores, Gerry was introduced to an immediate family and his qualities of patience and commitment remained as a bedrock in the household for the rest of his life. He seamlessly developed into a father and grandfather and imparted the qualities of his character with solemn diligence in this role. He ultimately passed on his deep love of agriculture to his son Morgan and continued to participate in the farm until his ultimate retirement to Bethany Pioneer Village in February of 2016. He will be remembered as a dignified, perseverant and consistent man and will be deeply missed by his wife of 39 years Dolores (nee Kopp) Jaster; their children and their families: Morgan (Jola) Jaster and their daughter Luzia Jaster; Danna (Ron) Senger and their children Paul and Meghan Senger; Jon Stepper and his daughter Lierin (Chris) Baerg; and Tom Stepper (Tina). He also leaves behind his nieces and their families:  Tamra (Bill) Axley and their daughter Brenna (Chad) Kromm; Darla (Ron) Stechyshen and their daughters and families, Neala (Brooks) Barks and son Andrik Barks, and Lara (Matthew) Buchholzer and daughter, Quinn Buchholzer.  He was predeceased by his parents, William “Bill” and Locadia (nee Baran) Jaster;   one brother, Roman (Esther) Jaster; two sisters: Edna (Clarence) Gerling, and Nora (Greg) Huhn; and by two nephews:  Brian Gerling, and Wayne Gerling.  The Funeral Service was held at Faith Lutheran Church, Middle Lake, on Friday, October 20, 2017, at 2:00 p.m., officiated by Pastor John Rapp.  Urnbearers were Tamra Axley and Darla Stechyshen, and the eulogy was delivered by Morgan Jaster. Music ministry was provided by organist Sharon Carter.  Interment took place at Grace Lutheran Cemetery in the Middle Lake district.  “We, the family of Gerry Jaster, would like to thank the staff of Bethany Pioneer Village for the support and kindness Gerry received while in their care.”  Memorial donations may be directed to Bethany Pioneer Village, Middle Lake.

 

This Notice Is Courtesy Of
Schuler-Lefebvre Funeral Chapel - Humboldt, Saskatchewan
(306-682-4114)