Otto Joseph Fahl
March 28, 1935 – December 6, 2018

It is with great sadness we announce the death of Otto Fahl of Humboldt, SK, which occurred at Humboldt District Hospital on Thursday, December 6, 2018, at age 83. Otto was born to Alois and Mary (nee Weslowski) Fahl on March 28, 1935, at home on the family farm in the Humboldt district. He attended St. James Country School and St. Peter’s College. At age 17, Otto ventured out to work at various construction jobs in British Columbia.
In 1958, he returned to Saskatchewan, and met Pauline Bay at a dance. Otto and Pauline were married on October 24, 1959, in Humboldt. In 1961 daughter Joanne was born, and in 1963 Jacky was born, being chosen to be part of the family. Otto always had a strong sense of family when raising his two daughters. In 1964, the family moved to Moose Jaw where Otto attained his journeyman carpentry certificate. In 1967, a move was made to Saskatoon. In 1972, the opportunity came for Otto and family to farm in Humboldt. There they spent many happy years growing crops, raising livestock and working with horses, which was his passion.
Otto supported the children in 4-H beef and horse clubs. At the same time, he was breaking and training team horses to drive. He and Pauline wagon trekked to many different communities in Saskatchewan, meeting and spending time with treasured friends and their families. The evenings were spent telling horse stories around the campfire. Otto used his trade building and selling covered wagons. Two particular wagon treks involved going through the South Saskatchewan River at Hudson Bay and grandstanding at the Craven Rodeo. There are also memories at Christmastime, driving the team into town and singing Christmas carols. Otto was also a school bus driver for 19 years.
In 1999, he and Pauline moved off the farm to an acreage and that furthered a passion to attend many horse sales, gathering leather to make horse harnesses. There are people from across western Canada that own a horse harness set made by Otto. Both girls were married and the family expanded to add four grandchildren and eventually two great-grandchildren.
In 2007, Otto and Pauline moved into Humboldt, where he continued to pursue his interest in harness making. Coming off the farm, his work ethic was to get up at 5:00 a.m. and go out to his shop to work. Otto was teased about having nine lives; he fell off ladders, the gas tank, and the corral roof, was run over by the tractor, held up a grain bin by lying underneath it, and cut off some fingers with a table saw. He was active in the Humboldt Horse Club, receiving a “Volunteer Recognition Award” at the Humboldt Vintage Club.
During retirement years, he and Pauline made many trips to Lethbridge, Edmonton, and Vancouver visiting family. They also went to Germany, which was his parents’ homeland, took Mexican holidays, and travelled to eastern Canada to visit family. About 10 years prior to his passing, Otto’s health started to decline; he had knee surgery, cancer, osteoarthritis, and other health issues. That didn’t stop him; he continued to go for coffee and make harnesses.
Otto leaves to mourn his wife of 59 years, Pauline (nee Bay) Fahl; two daughters, four grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren: Joanne (Jeff) Blinco and family, Riely (Courtney) Blinko and their children Kennedy and Weston, Rayson (Rylan) Blinko, and Shael (Ashley) Blinko; and Jacky Fahl and daughter Candice (Michael) McCarty. He is also survived by sister-in-law, Marcella (Alois); three brothers-in-law: Eugene Schedlosky (Elsie), Barry McGladdery (Evelyn), and Ernie Mussato (Linda); and by many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, Aloys and Mary (nee Weslowski) Fahl; two brothers: Alois and George; three sisters: Elsie, Evelyn and Linda; and by great-grandson Ricky.
The Funeral Mass was offered at St. Augustine R.C. Church, Humboldt, on Friday, December 14, 2018, at 2:00 p.m., celebrated by Fr. Joseph Salihu. Others taking part were: Riely Blinco, crossbearer; Adrienne Ries and Darlene Buchacher, scripture readers; Gwen Saret, intentions; Rayson Blinco, Candice McCarty, and Shael Blinco, giftbearers; Verna Bay and Lydia Hemm, memorial table attendants; and Jeff Blinco, urnbearer. Honorary pallbearers were “all those who shared in Otto’s life”. Interment followed at St. Augustine R.C. Cemetery. Memorial donations may be directed to the Humboldt District Hospital Foundation General Equipment Fund.

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