Obituary of Wally Long

Waldemar (Wally) Gordon Long Wally was born in the Langenberg area on July 2, 1936, to Jacob and Gertrude Long. Wally has three sisters and three brothers; Shirley, Marilyn, Doreen, Richard, Ron and Randy. Wally grew up at the homestead in Snowden. At 16 Wally left home to pursue work landing him in the Medstead area where he worked for a few years before beginning what turned out to be a long paving career. Wally met Donna, his wife of 55 years, in 1959. They were married January 15, 1962 in Belbutte. Wally was blessed with a wife and daughter, Verna. Wally and Donna finished their family off with 5 more children, Dwaine, Karen, Connie, Glen and Lorne. In 1973, with the family outgrowing the small house they lived in, Wally and Donna moved into their current house, in Belbutte sharing the yard with Donna’s parents, Jack and Hazel McKay and later Connie and Darcy Gatzke. Wally worked most of his life as a paving foreman in the summer with Everall Construction. Wally was a well-respected foreman known for his keen eye while running the screed on the paver. Wally helped many family members and people in the area get jobs in paving. Wally was a very hard worker and expected the same from anyone that worked with him. In 1993 Wally suffered a heart attack but returned to work that summer. Wally retired from paving in 2002, at age 65 and enjoyed two wonderful years of retirement before suffering a second heart attack and stroke during a surgery for prostate cancer. Wally's passion was his family. Wally loved family get-togethers, hunting, fishing, gardening, bird watching, working on puzzles and getting wood out for the stove. Wally was happiest sending a pumpkin home for a grandchild or care package home with his kids, including homemade soup or garden produce. Anyone that came for a summer visit got a tour of the yard and a visit to the garden and greenhouse to see how things were growing. Wally was diagnosed with cancer again in June of 2015, and was very fortunate that Donna cared for him at home in his later years. Wally lost his battle with cancer on March 7, 2017 in Spiritwood. Wally is lovingly remembered by: His wife of 55 years, Donna Long; his children: Verna (Byron) Friesen and their family: Chris (Dawn) and children: Keterah & Damian; Sheldon (Megan) and children: Daxton & Ryker; Dwaine Long; Karen (Glenn) Schmidt and their family: Steven (Tasha) and children: Kaylee, Sierra & Olivia; Curtis (Amy) and children: Parker, Hudson & Bennett; Dylan ; Teri (Kyle Haaland) and daughter: Presley; Connie (Darcy) Gatzke and their family: Chelsea (Jono) Pomedli and daughter: Hallie; Chandra (Wyatt Moore); Glen (Stacey) Long and their family: Tyler (Lauren Turgeon); Taneal (Daniel Williams); Lorne (Tracy) Long and their family: Tyson and Tanner. His siblings: Shirley and Ed Hoeflicker; Marilyn and Art Klatt; Doreen and Alex Dobrohoczki; Ron and Judy Long; Randy Long and Jackie Timms. His sister In-law, Doreen Long. Numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives. He is predeceased by: His parents, Jacob and Gertrude Long; his brother, Richard Long; his granddaughter, Angela Schmidt. Funeral Service was held on Monday, March 13th, 2017 at 1:00 pm, Medstead Community Hall, Medstead, Saskatchewan with Pastor David Jensen officiating. Eulogy was given by Glen Long and Karen Schmidt. Honorary Pallbearers were “All relatives and friends who have shared in Wally’s life.” Pallbearers were: Sheldon Friesen, Chris Friesen, Steven Schmidt, Tyler Long, Curtis Schmidt Tanner Long, Dylan Schmidt and Tyson Long. Memorial Donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or Canadian Cancer Society. Final Resting Place was in Bapaume Cemetery. The Long family has entrusted the arrangements to Edward Beaulac of Beau “Lac” Funeral Home Ltd of Spiritwood 306-883-3500.