Obituary of Sheldon Vern Rask

Sheldon Vern Rask July 18, 1961 - February 18, 2010 It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Sheldon Vern Rask at the age of 48 years. He met the Lord peacefully Thursday afternoon, February 18, 2010 in the ICU at Royal University Hospital. In Saskatoon, SK. He developed irreversible complications due to the Leukemia. His family was at his beside at his passing. Sheldon fought a courageous battle with cancer. His enduring determination to beat this disease never stopped. He fought to the bitter end. He found great strength through finding faith in the Lord for ever lasting life. He will be deeply missed by his parents Francis and Yvonne. His brother Veryl and girlfriend Colleen Mulhall. His niece Camellia, along with aunts uncles, cousins and nephews. He was predeceased by his maternal grandparents Ted and Margaret (Allan) LaMotte. His paternal grandparents Erick and Lillian Rask. His uncles Vern and Dennis LaMotte and Edwin Rask. Sheldon was born in Prince Albert, SK at the Holy Family Hospital on July 18, 1961. He grew up on a mixed farming operation in the Stump Lake District, north of Canwood, SK. At a young age he quickly learned about responsibility and hard work. He loved being out in the field, driving his Dad's tractors, either summer fallowing, picking stones or spraying. As he got older his skills moved onto operating larger equipment; such as combines, swathes, balers and driving big heavy grain trucks. Sheldon graduated from Canwood High School in 1979. His keen interest in farm machinery and motors of all kinds made him further his education at the Kelsey Institute in Saskatoon. He received his diploma in farm Mechanics in 1981. Sheldon loved getting into the grease to fix anything that was broken. There was nothing he couldn't get running, everything from over-hauling farm tractors, trucks, repairing model A motors, to fine tuning airplane engines. He could do it all. He especially loved working on vintage tractors. He collected many old tractors over the years, all of which he got running. Some he completely restored to their original grandeur. He participated in tractor pulls near Prince Albert, where he won numerous trophies. Sheldon loved flying single engine aircrafts. He was taking flying lessons in Saskatoon, working towards his private pilot's license. He had his cross country lesson left, but was unable to finish due to his illness. Sheldon loved drag racing. He owned his own 1976 Camaro. He spent many hours rebuilding the engine to a powerful 700 horse power engine. He took his Camaro to the SIR (Saskatoon International Raceway) South of Saskatoon, where he brought home 1st place trophies. Sheldon drove a pulp truck in Northern Saskatchewan for numerous years, he had many adventures on these truck runs. True to his character, he formed many lasting friendships. He could sit for hours and tell stories of the log hauls; there was never a dull moment during his stay at the Meadow Lake Motel. His colleagues always called upon Sheldon if there was ever a breakdown. Sheldon had a strong personality. He said it as he saw it. He loved visiting, making him a great story teller. The Funeral Service was held February 23rd at 1:00 pm in the Canwood Elk's Hall with Pastor Peter Nolan officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Sheldon may be made to the Royal University Hospital Foundation 6100 Patient Chair and Comfort Campaign. 103 Hospital Drive, Saskatoon, SK. S7N 0W8. Live well, laugh often, and love much.