Obituary of Mitchel (Mick) Emile Valette

The family of Mick Valette are deeply saddened to announce his passing at home in Martensville, SK. on April 29, 2008 at the age of 70. Mick was born on July 20, 1937 in the North Creek School area. He was the last child in a family of ten. Tragically, at the age of 7 weeks, Mick lost his father Emilien in an unfortunate accident. Mick was fortunate to grow up with a loving family around him. Ray Reichelt came into their lives and provided Mick with the skills necessary to become a farmer. Mick attended North Creek School, where he rode his horse to school each day or took a horse drawn sleigh in the winter. He was a 4-H member and became a leader of the Laventure 4-H Club at a young age. Mick & Elizabeth (Cooke) were married in 1957. They farmed with his Mother and Ray Reichelt for a few years, and then moved to Wainwright Alberta in 1960. Mick worked for Pioneer Auto Parts and Wrecking Yard until 1964 when the desire to farm again became very strong. In 1969, they were able to purchase some of the Bert Hall land and moved there where they remained until they moved to Martensville in November 2005. Al, Deb and family joined the farm business in 1985. Mick made significant contributions to the community, serving on the Credit Union Board for more than 30 years, a number of years on the Co-op Board and the Curling Club Board. He also served on the Anglican Church Vestry. He loved his community and was a willing worker. He spent a great deal of time renovating the Anglican Church and also worked hard along with other volunteers to build the new Curling and Bowling Facility. Throughout their marriage, Mick and Elizabeth were blessed with three children. Deb, Rick and Wendy, ten wonderful grandchildren and two great sons-in-law and one great daughter-in-law. Recently they celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary. Mick leaves to cherish his memory his loving wife, Elizabeth Anne Valette of Martensville, SK; his children Deborah (Alan) Steinhilber of Spiritwood, SK and their children Ryan, Lisa and Amy; Richard (Debra) Valette of High River, AB and their children Craig (Julie), Christy, Tyson and Brody; and Wendy (Carl) Yaworski of Saskatoon, SK and their children Kyle, Julie and Evan; his brother Camil (Alida) Valette; his sisters Emilienne Picken, Else Coffyne, Anne (Bud) Watson, Betty (Dr. James) Jones, Margareth MacLeod and Kirsten (Ray) Stevens; his sister in-law Yvonne Valette; his brother in-law George Bauman as well as numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and countless friends. Mick was predeceased by his father Emilien Valette, his mother Karen (Valette) Reichelt, his step-father Reinhold Reichelt, his sister Alice Bauman, his brother Marcel Valette, his brothers in-law Jack Coffyne, Dr. Burton Carlock and Hugh MacLeod. The funeral service was held on Saturday, May 3rd, 2008 at 2:30 p.m. from the Spiritwood Civic Center. Rev. Wayne Sturgess and Rev. Peter Boote were the officiants. The eulogy was read by Alan Steinhilber and Julie and Lisa read a scripture reading. The soloist was Phil Marion accompanied by Carolyn Voss on the piano. Honorary pall bearers were all relatives and friends who shared in Mick's life and the active pall bearers were his grandsons Ryan Steinhilber, Craig Valette, Kyle Yaworski, Evan Yaworski, Brody Valette and Tyson Valette. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Spiritwood Curling & Bowling Association. Mick was laid to rest in the Mildred North Cemetery.