Obituary of John Frank Dunn
John Frank Dunn passed away in Big River on the evening of October 29, 2024, at the age of 96. John was born in Big River on April 9,1928, to George Dunn and Eileen Dunn (Magrath). The family moved to Stoney Lake and homesteaded on SE 04 57 07 W3. John attended school at the Stoney Lake school completing grade 6.
John Dunn was a product of the time he was born into; it shaped him and his life. He worked various jobs and wore many different hats during his life. John often found himself returning to the things he enjoyed throughout his life. He told many stories about his commercial fishing days on Stoney, Dore, Smoothstone, and Cree Lake. Much of the fishing industry supported the mink ranches in John’s fishing days. He did return to commercial fishing in the 90s and sold some fish to Freshwater prior to them shutting down their BR operation. After, he peddled some fish and supplied many family members and friends with fish. John operated a logging company through the 60s, 70s and 80s employing lots of local Big River people, and during this time he took an active role in the RM 555 and helped with the construction of the Regional Park. John also had a passion for farming which he returned to after retiring from logging in 1985. Cattle production and a little grain farming became his passion up until his decline in health from dementia. It was during the time after logging that John also purchased a trapline and pursued another hobby of his from earlier in his life.
John loved being “done in the bush” in the spring because that meant angling season began. He built a cabin on the west side of Stoney Lake at “Joe Sheppard’s Boarding Place” in 1980. John would take relatives and friends up Stoney Lake fishing (usually to the north end). He would make a point to stop in at his old fish camp at the mouth of the north arm. He loved Stoney Lake.
As many things were with John, he had the ability to turn a hobby into a full-time job. Trapping and gardening were a few to note. John would leave home in the middle of the night and head north checking traps. He didn’t miss days and he enjoyed every bit of it. He was a product of his time, like many others who were exposed to the hardships of the 30s. His love of gardening turned into a 40 hour work week (so it seemed) for anyone involved. He gardened nearly up until the end. He loved his garden. He loved food as well, and the garden work spilled over into the kitchen. There were many days spent canning, pickling, and making jams and jellies. He loved to experiment making head cheese, jerky, smoked fish, lard, ham and bacon. It was common to find him in the garage in the fall butchering a hog and there would be a tongue simmering on the stove. John also loved animals, dogs and horses were his favorites. Many dogs lived their days at the farm, and old Kiwi is still there keeping Barb company. He often told stories about his childhood, his dad, and their reliance on horses to survive. Child abandonment (of a 4 year old child for several days) was an accepted practice in the 1930s when one was required to go looking for missing horses (according to George Dunn)! Times were different. He had a few teams of horses after retiring and loved rebuilding old sleighs in his shop.
John was predeceased by his paternal grandparents John Henry (1932) and Sarah Alma Dunn (Leach,1953) and his maternal grandparents Daniel Magrath (death unknown) and Fanny Magrath (Cole, 1959). His parents were George Dunn (1972) and Eileen Dunn (Magrath,1979). His first wife Dorothy Dunn (Skilliter) passed away in 1965. John’s siblings that passed before him were Roy Dunn (1918), Lily Dunn (Wilson, 2017), Violet “Blanche” Dunn (Johnson, 2009), Ethel “May” Dunn (2009), Ruth Dunn (1926), Dorothy Dunn (Wilson, 2017), Pearl Dunn (Hellerud, 2019), Clifton Dunn (1929), Robert “Bob” Dunn (2021), and Ross Dunn (2007).
John’s brother and sister in laws passing before him were: Ed Wilson (Lily, 2001), Art Johnson (Blanche,1977), Russ Wilson (Dorothy, 2018), Herb Hellerud (Pearl, 2007), Paul Vrana (Ruby, 2020), Charlie Scrimshaw (Ruby, 2000), Deanna Pruden (Bob, 2012), Ron Coulter (Grace, 2019), Jack Hockey (Barb’s brother, 2021), and Gail Gallant (Les, 2002). John’s first wife (Dorothy Florence Skilliter) was the daughter of John and Mary Skilliter (both deceased). Dorothy passed away from cancer in 1965. Her siblings were: Bob, Jim, Alice, Margaret, Albert, Floyd, Billy, Philip, and Rueben, all whom have passed. Rose is still living and resides in Sherwood Park.
Barb’s parents were Blake Hockey (deceased) and her mother Thelma Hockey (deceased). Thelma remarried Palmer Haltli (also deceased). John and Barb made many trips to Lumby B.C where Barb’s parents lived as well as her brother Jack Hockey (deceased) lived with his family.
John is survived by his wife Barbara Dunn (Hockey), their children and grandchildren. His sisters Ruby Vrana and Grace Coulter live in Saskatchewan and British Columbia. John’s Brother Les resides in Big River.
In lieu of tributes, donations can be made in memory of John to Lakewood Lodge Auxiliary (Box 846 Big River, SK S0J 0E0) or Town of Big River- Cemetery Fund (Box 220 Big River, SK S0J 0E0).
Family and friends wishing to send online condolences are welcome to visit www.beaulacfuneralhome.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Beau “Lac” Funeral Home and Crematorium, Lynn Anderson, Funeral Director, Big River, SK 306-469-2277.
