Harold Zander was born December 1, 1919, the middle child in a family of seven children born to Dan and Maria Zander, nee Fichtner. His mother passed away in July, 1944 and his Dad in October, 1965. He was also predeceased by his wife, Gertrude; his brothers, Bert and Arnold, his sisters, Munda and Hadie, brothers-in-law, Bob and Johnny, and sister-in-law Edna. When he was a pre-schooler Harold lived in the Bognor district. As a child he moved to the Edgebrook district for one year and then to the Product District where he completed his grade 8. As a youth he worked odd jobs for neighbours when anything was available. In 1938 he worked at Dyson's farm for the summer, driving eight horses for $25.00 a month. He spent the summer months of 1939 in Lockwood working for Bob Smith, his brother-in-law, and the summer and fall of 1940 and 1941 in Eston, SK. In the spring of 1942 he went to Earl Grey and in the winter he headed for the logging camps at Fort Frances, ON. In 1943 he was once more on a large grain farm at Rowatt, SK, where he met the girl who was to become his wife. Gertrude Tourney was the daughter of a Lutheran pastor, and after a short courtship they were married in October of that same year. She was truly the love of his life, and they remained happily married for over 55 years. Over the next seven years they made several moves, working on farms as a married couple. They had accumulated some cattle by this time and had been blessed with three children. Sharon was born in 1945, Linda in 1947 and Douglas in 1948. In 1950 they sold their cows and moved into the town of Yorkton. Their last son, Darwin, was born in July of the same year. Harold bought a truck and went into contract trucking for two years. In 1952 he bought a franchise route to haul merchandise on a twice weekly basis, servicing the towns of Wishart, Bankend, West Bend, Jedburgh, Parkerview and Homefield. He often spent weekends hauling machinery and moving families, sometimes as far as B.C. That was to be his vocation for the next twenty-nine years until he was forced to discontinue trucking due to surgery. In 1982 he began work at Harvest Meats as a shipper where he remained until his mid-seventies. He retired to spend more time with his wife Gertie who was ill. He was an involved member of St. Paul Lutheran Church, and acted as a deacon and trustee on church council for many years, counting money every Monday morning until well into his eighties. His leisure time was spent visiting with family, fishing and camping. He enjoyed visits to local lakes such as Madge and Moose Bay. Harold and Gertie tried to make annual trips to visit their sons in B.C. After his retirement he devoted more time to his garden and apple trees. He tended his raspberry bushes until his ninetieth year. He played the role of devoted grandfather, chauffeuring children to work and various activities. Over the years he attended countless hockey games, recitals and ceremonies. He was thrilled with the birth of his three great-grandchildren. Always an avid sports fan, he was able to watch more games in his retirement. Hockey and curling were among his favourites. He also enjoyed his afternoon "stories", often catnapping at the same time. After the death of his beloved wife Gertie in 1999, he began a new phase of his life. Always an early riser, he now filled his days with trips to the mall to enjoy a walk and a visit with old and new friends. In 2010, due to failing health, Harold and his "hound" Chiquita were invited to Medicine Hat to live with his daughter, Linda and son-in-law, Joe. He began to enjoy frequent outings for dinner or breakfast as well as scenic drives. Even at the age of 92 he still enthusiastically cast his hook and line. He renewed a voracious appetite for reading, often turning pages until 3 a.m. Harold never failed to watch the news or keep up on current events. Harold passed away on Sunday, May 19 at the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital. Joe, his son-in-law, was with him when he passed. He was a fighter to the end. Left to cherish his memory and celebrate his life are his daughter, Sharon Kitzul of Yorkton and her children, Jason (Lynn), great-grandson Lochlan; Lisa; Aaron (Tammy) and great-grand children, Zachary and Dakota; Carrie; daughter, Linda (Dr. Joseph Javier) of Medicine Hat and their children, Taryn, Marissa and Caitlin; son, Douglas (Eleanor) of Creston and their children, Jennifer and Kody; and son, Darwin (Dian) of Creston. Harold is also survived by brother, Benhold (Ruth) and sister, Evelyn Samchyk both of Wynyard; his sisters-in-law, Laura Auld, Edith, Kay and Tillie Tourney; and numerous nieces and nephews. We love you and you will be missed. A Service of Comfort for Family and Friends was held on Monday, May 27, 2013 from the Chapel of Christie's Funeral Home in Yorkton, SK with Pastor Fred Schneider officiating. The organist, Judy Berg, led the congregation in the singing of the hymns, "O God, Our Help in Ages Past", "Great is Thy Faithfulness" and "Blessed Assurance". The Funeral Service was held on Tuesday, May 28, 2013, from St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Yorkton, SK with Pastor Fred Schneider officiating. The organist, Carla Laycock, led the congregation in the singing of the hymns, "Abide With Me", "I Was There to Hear Your Borning Cry" , "Guide Me Ever, Great Redeemer", "Amazing Grace" and "How Great Thou Art". The interment took place in the Yorkton Memorial Gardens , Garden of St. Mark, Yorkton, SK with Shawn Anderson, Larry Anderson, Keith Kammer, Ken Propp, Raymond Tourney and Brian Tourney serving as casket bearers. Friends so wishing may forward their condolences to the family by visiting www.christiesfuneralhome.com. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Christie's Funeral Home & Crematorium, Yorkton, Saskatchewan.
