Obituary of Wesley Lavender

Wesley is survived by: his loving wife Dorothy; two children Murray and his wife Shauna and Keith; siblings: Hugh and his wife Helen, Dean, Keith and his wife Pat, Ralph and his wife Eileen, Dennis and his wife Helen, Lyle and his wife Mary; two sisters-in-law Elsie Tetz and Helen (Ken) Harold as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Wes Lavender Eulogy By Glen Amundrud I count it a real privilege and honor to share some thoughts and memories of a dear friend and brother in the Lord. Wesley Leland Lavender was born to Mr.& Mrs. Donovan Lavender on April 14th, 1932 at Broderick, Sask. He went to be with Jesus his Lord suddenly on Wed. June 25th, 2008. Wes Leland Lavender is survived by his loving wife of 42 years, Dorothy His two sons: Murray Lavender and his wife Shawna, and Keith Lavender His six brothers: Hugh and his wife Helen Dean Keith and his wife Pat Ralph and his wife Ilene Dennis and his wife Helen Lyle and his wife Mary Wes is also survived by two sister- in- laws Elsie Tetz and her husband Wayne Helen Harrold and her husband Ken As well as numerous nieces and nephews; In 1938 Wes started attending Inverness Country School north of Glenside, Sask. He continued his education at Glenside until 1946. His family then moved to the valley in the Rereshill district. For three summers he attended the farm boys camp at the Lloydminster Fair After he finished his schooling in 1948, he worked for different farmers in the area for a few years. Wes bought his first land from Roy Wilson in 1953. He worked for Rex Hall for couple of years. In the winter of 1955 he went to Winnipeg and trained in the army reserves. He returned to the farm and began driving school bus in the fall of 1961. He met and fell in love with Dorothy Schock of Lashburn. They were married in the summer of 1966. They were blessed with two sons. Murray in 1968 and Keith in 1969 which completed their family. My wife Linda & I first met the Lavenders in about 1978. We soon grew to love and appreciate them very much. We were attending the same church. We lived fairly close to each other. We would get together after seeding and pray together on our crops. Those were precious times. Wes always had such faith and wisdom and Dorothy was so hospitable. We had a Bible study in our home. Dorothy taught it. Wes had a real bond with our kids. Our oldest was barely old enough to talk. He would take Wes's bible, hold his hand and lead him to his chair in the living room. Wes always sat in the same rocking chair. Wes and I did a lot of ushering together at our church. It was Mother's Day, we didn't have any children yet. All the mothers were given a book mark. Wes gave my wife a book mark and said "You'll be a mother someday". It was such a blessing to her.I know even after Wes & Dorothy moved to this church, when we come hear, Wes was at the door ushering. He always had candy in his pockets and he would bless the kids with a treat. He was called the Candy Man. The Nesbit kids fondly called him Uncle Buggy He always took time off farming to go golfing, fishing & camping with his family. He knew how to balance work with pleasure. As Murray & Keith grew and were in hockey, ball, curling and later 4H, Wes was always there for them. He became their 4H leader. They invited us to come to see their calves at the Lloydminster show. We'd get together in the Lavenders' truck camper. Good times. One year our corn didn't come up very good. Lavenders was good and thick. Wes said I'm going to transplant this corn for Linda. In the fall the corn was great. They picked it. Brought it and husked it at our place. My folks and Wes & Dorothy cut it off the cob and processed it all. We were thoroughly blessed. That's the kind of friends Wes & Dorothy were. Wes would drop what he was doing and help you. Wes was a faithful member of his church. He loved the Lord and was a real blessing to many. He was very supportive of Dorothy leading Bible study. He was a founding member and elder of Lloydminster Gospel Fellowship. Wes's quiet faith in God was very evident to all. He never missed the farmers prayer meetings at Fred & Edie Watts. Wes continued farming in the Rerershill district until the fall of 1988. Wes & Dorothy left the farm, bought a house and moved to Lloydminster: Where Wes worked for Sears as a maintenance man until his retirement in 1997. They later moved into a condo in 2002. Wes & Dorothy were blessed to be able to travel to places like Disneyland, Hawaii, Australia and recently to Mexico last November. They loved their cabin and spent their time from May to Sept up there. Wes loved fishing and just last week caught a five pound jack. Wes was a passionate fan of the Detroit Red Wings & Saskatchewan Rough Riders. He got to see his favorite teams win their respective cups. We will sadly miss, Wes. You may know him as Grandpa Wes, or Uncle Wes, or my big brother. You have your own precious memories. Wes loved golfing and the Lord in His wisdom called him home on the fifth hole of his last game down here. I wonder if he got to finish it in glory. Our deepest sympathy goes out to you Dorothy, Murray, Shawna & Keith. May the same arms that carried Wes home, hold you and comfort you at this time. Donations may be made to the Lloydminster Gospel Fellowship Building Fund. Wesley Leland Lavender was born to Mr. & Mrs. Donovan Lavender on April 14, 1932 at Broderick, Saskatchewan. He went to be with Jesus his Lord suddenly on Wednesday, June 25, 2008. Wesley is survived by: his loving wife of 42 years, Dorothy, two sons: Murray and his wife, Shawna, and Keith. Six brothers: Hugh (Helen), Dean, Keith (Pat), Ralph (Ilene), Dennis (Helen), Lyle (Mary), two sisters-in-law: Elsie Tetz (Wayne); Helen Harrold (Ken) as well as numerous nieces and nephews. A Celebration of Wesley's life was held on Saturday, June 28, 2008 at Lloydminster Gospel Fellowship with Pastor Lyle Berg officiating. Songs sung were "Safe In Arms of Jesus," How Beautiful Heaven Must Be," "Devotion and Healing Rain is Falling Down," lead by Greg Nelson and the LGF Worship Team. The Eulogy was given by Glen Amundrud with Tributes by Jon Shorter, Ralph Lavender, Kevin & Kaleb Harrold, Kimberly Kirkwood. Interment followed in the Lashburn Cemetery. McCaw Funeral Service Ltd., of Lloydminster administered the funeral arrangements. A heartful thanks goes out to the Staff and Management at the Loon Lake Golf Course, the St. Walburg Ambulance, Coroner Harry, Randy and Tammy Ramsay, the hospital staff. To my family - Helen for driving me home, Glen and Faye. Pastor Lyle and Laura, Merv and Shelley, Jon, and Judy, Patty, the pallbearers, Glen. For all the phone calls, food, flowers and donations in lieu of flowers. To all who came and have helped us through this difficult time. God Bless you all. Dale for all your help and your compassion. Dorothy Murray & Shawna Keith And the Lavender families