Paul Joseph Boscher

September 27, 1928 – January 14, 2017

Paul Joseph Boscher of  Saskatoon, SK, (formerly of St. Gregor, SK), passed away peacefully at his residence on Saturday, January 14, 2017.   He was 88 years of age.  Paul, the eldest son of Frank and Theresia (nee Jaud) Boscher was born on September 27, 1928, at home on their farm.  He grew up there and attended Mintern School for Grades 1 to 8.  When Paul started school, he could only speak German.  When Paul completed school, he helped his Dad on the farm.  In the winter months, he was employed at the lumber camps at Love and Carrot River, SK.  In 1952, Paul met Louise Steiner at the Vidak farm on one of those Sunday afternoon shindigs.  Louise was boarding there while teaching at Mintern School.   Paul and Louise were married on September 7, 1954 at Englefeld, SK.  They built a three-room house in the same yard where Paul’s parents lived. He and Louise lived there until 1965, and then moved to a larger two-storey house on their present day farm site.   They also raised cattle, pigs, chickens and turkeys.  Besides farming, in 1960, Paul was employed as a welder by John Schulte in Englefeld making snowplows.  When the new Schulte Industries was built, Paul worked there for 22 more years as a machinist.  During those years, he and his brother-in-law Henry ven der Buhs were instrumental in the design of a rock picker which became another main line of farm machinery manufactured by Schulte’s.  Paul thoroughly enjoyed that job.  As an active member of his community, Paul was a member of the Sask. Wheat Pool for 35 years and served on the St. Gregor Wheat Pool Committee for 25 years, serving as President for four.  He was also a member of the Farmers’ Union, attending many conventions, and a trustee on the Englefeld School Board from 1972 -78.  Paul and Louise enjoyed bowling in St. Gregor and strived for that “perfect” score, but never achieved it.  In 1991, they both joined the St. Gregor New Horizons Club.  They had a beautiful 50th Wedding Anniversary in September 2004 celebrating with the family, relatives and friends.  Many memories remain from that celebration.  Life on the farm slowed down after 2004.  Paul and Louise enjoyed the farm life immensely, but had many occasions to travel; notably, Germany, Hawaii, Mexico and a family trip to Disney World.  As always, Paul and Louise enjoyed camping at Wakaw Lake and Greenwater Provincial Park.  Time spent away from the farm at any point was limited to just one week … Paul just had to hurry back to the farm!  You just couldn’t take the farm out of the man.  Another milestone took place in September 2014, when Paul and Louise celebrated their 60th Wedding Anniversary.  Paul loved playing cards such as Chase-The-Ace, 7-Point Smear and Buck.  Paul’s memory will be missed by the family.  He was a walking encyclopaedia of knowledge.  Paul sure enjoyed reading and studying each and every local history book and when asked a question would often just rattle the answer off.  In March 2016 medical issues developed that forced Paul and Louise to abruptly move from the farm to Saskatoon to be nearer to the doctors, hospitals and family.  It was very hard to leave the community of St. Gregor without even a goodbye, but it could not be helped.  They made their new home at Stonebridge Crossing Retirement Community and continued to make a few trips back to the farm for visits and to rekindle fond memories.  In fact, today was his last visit to the farm and we know he was smiling ear to ear!  Paul is survived by his wife of 62 years, Louise (Steiner); six children:  Melvin of Saskatoon, Mavis (Gary) Hartell of Saskatoon, Randal of Prince Albert, Debra (Murray) Fry of Martensville, Lyle (Leah) of Saskatoon, and Roger of Calgary, AB; grandchildren:  Breanne (Hartell) and Andrew Couperthwaite, Logan and Tyson Hartell; Devon and Nikki Fry; Candice Boscher (Tyson Sheinin), Noelle, Larissa and Dustin Boscher; great-grandchild, Noah Sheinin; one brother, Edwin Boscher of St. Gregor; two sisters:  Marie ven der Buhs of Englefeld, and Hildegard (Keith) Martin of Saskatoon; brother-in-law, Daniel Steiner of Humboldt; sisters-in-law:  Leonilla Fisher of Kamsack, Carole Steiner of Saskatoon, and Eileen Steiner of Regina; and by numerous nieces and nephews.  He was predeceased by one daughter, Theresia (1969); his parents, Frank and Theresia (Jaud) Boscher; two brothers, Daniel and Robert; brother-in-law, Henry ven der Buhs; sisters-in-law:  Myrna and Thelma Boscher; one nephew, Myron ven der Buhs; and numerous relatives of the Steiner family.   The Funeral Mass was offered at St. Gregory R.C. Church, St. Gregor, on Saturday, January 21, 2017, at 11:00 a.m., celebrated by Fr. Anthony Atter and concelebrated by Fr. Daniel Muyres, OSB.   Others taking part were:  David Boscher, crossbearer; Alyssa and Kelly Wuchner, altar servers; Leah Boscher and Daniel Steiner, scripture readers; Barbara Levesque, intentions; Breanne Couperthwaite and Nikki Fry, giftbearers; Randal Boscher, eulogist; Darlene Perry and Joyce Bugg, memorial table attendants.  Music ministry was provided by organist Suzanne Taphorn and the St. Gregory Parish Choir.  Honorary pallbearers were “all those who shared stories, laughed, played cards and had good times with Paul on coffee row over the many years”.  Active pallbearers were Logan Hartell, Tyson Hartell, Devon Fry, Dustin Boscher, Alain Boscher, and Tim Martin.  Interment followed at St. Gregory R.C. Cemetery.  Memorial donations may be directed to the St. Gregory R.C. Cemetery Fund.

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