Joseph Martin 1921-2012 Dad was born June 20, 1921 in the family home SE 1/4 31-4-7. Dad liked to tell the story that he was born when grandmother was stooking. She went behind a stook, gave birth to Dad, and then carried him into the house in her apron. Dad was sixth in a family of 10 children. They lived in a three-room house, along with an attic used as a bedroom for the children. Every winter grandfather banked the shack right up to the windows to withstand the harsh winters. The 1930s was a tough time. There were no crops or hay. Water was hauled with barrels as far as three miles. In 1937, Dad and younger brother Tony went to Carievale to make hay to feed a few head of cattle. The only vegetation was Russian thistle. In 1938, a new variety of rust resistant wheat and Thatcher were grown. Things started to look up. After saving for four years, Grandfather got his first tractor, a John Deere. In 1947, Grandfather and Grandmother moved to Estevan. Dad and his bride, Elizabeth Friess, farmed with his brothers Tony, Ollie and Robert. After a few years, he purchased his own farm 1/8 mile south of the homestead. Dad farmed until 1976 when Dad and Mother built their home in Estevan. Through the years, Adelle, Warren, Norbert and Neoma were added to the family. In addition to farming, Dad was a miner and W.W. II Vet. He also blew snow for the oil wells in the 1960s. Dad enjoyed many sports; with brothers Tony and Ollie he played softball with the Cullen and Lampman teams. He bowled in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s; hosted pool for his cronies in the basement of his Estevan home, and loved playing cards with whoever dropped in. Dad raised us with the work ethic. He said, "You have to work for what you get in life, and you aren't necessarily going to get everything you want." That was a wonderful value to pass on to us. As the years marched on, new family members were added, Warren married Jocelyn Wong, Norbert married Lidia Hularva and Neoma married Randy Shoeman. Granddaughters Latasha and Alyssa arrived (Neoma's daughters), as did Michael and Maya (Norbert's children). Dad enjoyed his grandchildren. He rented a houseboat on Lac La Ronge where he taught Latasha and Alyssa how to fish. He taught Latasha how to play pool and alas the competition soon arose, when Latasha was beating her teacher! Dad spent his last night playing cards with Latasha and Alyssa, his grandchildren. Then the Lord gave Dad the restful peace he had earned, Dad's life was a life well lived. Joseph is survived by his wife, Betty; daughters, Adelle and Neoma (Randy); sons, Warren (Jocelyn) and Norbert (Lidia); grandchildren, Latasha, Alyssa, Michael and Maya; brother, Bloysius (Mary); sisters-in-law, Jane (John), Florence (Tony) and Mary (Robert) and numerous nieces and nephews. Joseph is predeceased by his parents Jacob and Lakatie; brothers, John, Tony and Robert; sisters, Katie (Bill Gisi), Rose (Alex McLean), Perpetua, Anne (Pete Hoffart), and Charlotte (Jack Schaff); nephew, Jim Schaff and great-nephews, Rem Walker and Tom Ball. In lieu of flowers, a contribution to the Heart & Stroke Foundation in Joseph's memory would be most appreciated, or a charity of one's choice. Arrangements in care of Lee Funeral Home, Regina. w/DIGNITY LOGO ON BOTTOM
