September 16, 1934 - May 19, 2018
It is with great sadness we announce the sudden passing of Vern Johan, late of Birch Hills, SK, formerly of Weldon, SK, on May 19, 2018 at the age of 83 years. Vern was a hard working farmer, and on the side he had a backhoe business, tending to sewer lines and trenches, as well as a gravel hauling business. Vern started out trucking until he married Gayleen and they settled on the Goa homestead, three miles west of Weldon in 1961. Vern and Gayleen were snowbirds in Mesa, AZ, and developed close knit friendships there. Once retired from farming, Vern returned to trucking for the sheer pleasure. Gayleen went along for the ride and together they saw many parts of Canada and the US. In 2013 they sold the farm and purchased a condo in Birch Hills. The Weldon community and area was very important to Vern. He was on the school and church boards and later the condo board. He enjoyed hockey, golf, curling, downhill skiing, hiking in the Grand Canyon, and later in life he was an avid spectator either at the Birch Hills Arena or from his blue armchair. Coffee row convened daily at either Grumpy’s in Birch Hills or the Weldon Silvertone. We remember Dad faithfully ringing the bell at the start of the service at Weldon Lutheran Church before going on to gather with the community at Lake Park Baptist Church. Vern was the loving husband of Gayleen, father of Marles Grant and Jody Elliott of Calgary, AB. He will be dearly missed by his grandchildren, Andrew and Alissa (Marles) and Andrea and Erica (Jody). He will also be lovingly remembered by his brothers Rollice of Tisdale and Howard (Shirley) of Melfort and Donna Johnson (Ed) of Toronto and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents Fred and Grace, brother Don and sister-in-law Glennis. If friends so desire, memorial donations may be made directly to the Weldon Care Home. A Viewing will be held Thursday, May 24, 2018 - 7:00 pm at Lake Park Baptist Church, Birch Hills, SK. A Funeral Service will be held Friday, May 25, 2018 – 2:00 pm at Lake Park Baptist Church, Birch Hills, SK. Interment in Weldon Lutheran Cemetery. Arrangements in care of MacKenzie Chapel & Crematorium – Shellbrook Funeral Home. Brian and Bev Stobbs, Funeral Directors. www.MacKenzieChapel.ca 306.763.8488

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Vern Johan Gronvold, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.