Deer Ridge Cemetery History Excerpt

Deer Ridge Cemetery gate, looking east, 4 August 2024.

The following is an excerpt regarding the Deer Ridge district cemetery, St. Paul’s Lutheran Cemetery, from A Homesteader's Dream, a locally compiled history book:

St. Paul’s Lutheran Cemetery  

by E. D. Nyberg

The first meeting to arrange to have a cemetery in this district was held May 28th, 1932 by Rev. Weidenhammer. At this meeting a motion moved by Carl Scharkowski and second by Chas. Joelson that a cemetery be arrange for though the sponsorship of a religious group and that this cemetery by a community cemetery where burial privileges were extended to all.

A committee was elected for purposed of selecting a plot and bringing in suggestions regarding a cemetery. Committee was Chas. Joelson, A. F. Nyberg, Walter Morris, and Chas. Kennedy.

June 28th, 1932 another meeting was held where Chas. Joelson moved and seconded by A. F. Nyberg that a piece of land about one acre in extent; the NE corner of SE ¼ of section 5 Township 52 Range 1 W of 3rd be set aside for a cemetery. This land was donated by Charles Joelson as it was a part of his quarter.

The cemetery was named St. Paul’s Lutheran which was the name of the church when we had one.

In May 1934 Mrs. Kroken canvassed the district for funds for the cemetery. To do this she walked around the district and collected the sum of $25.05. She was even offered a bushel of wheat. Money was scarce then. 

The R.M. gives an annual donation of $10.00 and donations from anyone help to keep a fund on hand. 

Proceeds from lunch sold at Korken’s Auction Sale of $110.00 was used to buy posts and wire to fence it, but has since been taken down.

When the Ladies Community Club folded up they turned over the balance of $404.83 they had on hand. This helped to buy the name sign above the gate.

Trees and shrubs have been planted but have not grown. We have a riding lawn mover which John Viklund operates when necessary.

An annual clean-up-bee is held every spring. Anyone is free to go and cut the grass and plant flowers. Elmer Joleson looks after grave selections. Mrs. F. Nyberg is Secretary Treasurer.

The following is a list of everyone laid to rest in St. Paul’s Lutheran Cemetery at Deer Ridge:

Names Age Year

Pearson (Mrs Edquist’s mother) 81 years 1932

Abdai, Gizella (baby) 2 years 1933

Lee, Garth (baby) 6 months 1936

Lens, Edmund 18 years 1936

Ljuden (twins) 1 year 1936-37

Viklund, Konrad 12 years 1938

Ryang, Krist 44 years 1939

Brunsdon, Beulah 26 years 1940

Nyberg, Harry 24 years 1940

Grimes, Edward 35 years 1941

Ek, Mrs. Jenny 44 years 1944

Nyberg, (baby) stillborn 194?

Scharkowski, Carl 45 years 1945

Meier, Wm. [William] 47 years 1945

Ek, (baby) 6 months 1946

Ferguson, Mrs. Lily 68 years 1946

Wasstrom, Joans 69 years 1946

Suetta, Vausty (baby) 3 months ?

Pearsons, Joans 75 years 1946

Miller, D. J. ? ?

Peterson, Henry ? ?

Monus, Esther 97 years May 29, 1947

Kroken, Helmar 51 years Jul. 13, 1949

Pearson, Christina 77 years Dec. 6, 1949

Johnson, Gustav 73 years Dec. 17, 1949

Belus, (baby) ? ?

Paul, Daniel 69 years Jan. 19, 1950

Viklund, (baby) stillborn Sept. 2, 1950

Olson, Gunhild 47 years May 16, 1951

Herdin, Hans 61 years Aug. 18, 1951

Ohlund, Elizabeth 19 years Feb. 16, 1952

Johnson, Brita 71 years Oct. 27, 1952

Sjogren, Brian Andrew 2 months Mar. 22, 1954

Miller, James Oscar 69 years Jan. 11, 1955

Joelson, Carl John 85 years Mar. 15, 1955

Hooper, Margaret (moved) 76 years May 12, 1955

Stene, Wilfred 15 years May 18, 1955

Joelson, Marie Augusta 68 years Sept. 20 1955

Sjogren, Anna Fredricke 66 years Sept. 23, 1955

Smith, Larry Edward 13 years Feb. 22, 1957

Monas, Ronald Gary 1 months May 2, 1957

Coombs, David Eric 13 years Nov. 13, 1957

Schuetz, John Baptiste 50 years Dec. 20, 1958

Monus, Kalman 84 years Mar. 23, 1959

Belus, George 66 years Aug. 8, 1959

Herdin, Anton Leo 39 years Dec. 23, 1959

Kormos, John G. 16 years Apr. 18, 1960

Nyberg, Ronald Allen 24 years Jul. 2, 1960

Monus, Lea 74 years Sept. 19, 1960

Strube, Fritz George 82 years Apr. 19, 1961

Viklund, Karl Herman 78 years Apr. 22, 1961

Herdin, Emma 68 years Jul. 25, 1962

Nyberg, Andrew Ferdinand 75 years May 19, 1963

Nyberg, John Albert 78 years Jun. 19, 1963

Anderson, Alexander 47 years Jan. 18, 1964

Kormos, Edward Michael 32 years Jun. 30, 1964

Flaagan, Andres Reierson 92 years Jul. 9, 1964

Strube, Freiderika 88 years Jun. 13, 1965

Kormos, Juluis John 32 years Mar. 29, 1966

Abdai, Joseph 74 years Sept. 12, 1966

Sjogren, Janet Lee (baby) 1 day Sept. 13, 1966

Hegedus, Lydia 80 years Oct. 1, 1966

Belus, Ethel 58 years Oct. 9, 1968

Nyberg, Hilma Augusta 87 years Feb. 7, 1969

Johnson, Milda Karolina 61 years Jun. 18, 1970

Randell, Christine Florence (baby) 21 days Nov. 15, 1970

Mason, Stanley Alfred 54 years Nov. 26, 1970

Ohlund, Beda Katarine 66 years Jul. 5, 1971

Joelson, Mary Josephine 39 years Nov. 4, 1973

Edquist, Conrad Theodore 87 years Dec. 1, 1973

Szell, Annie 74 years Mar. 5, 1974

Thompson, Hannah 88 years Mar. 12, 1976

Stead, Ernest Edgar 75 years Aug. 5, 1976

Sjogren, Anderw 81 years Aug. 30, 1976

Randell, Robert E. 48 years Aug. 31, 1976

Flagon, Ray (Reier) Anderson 64 years Nov. 22, 1976

Nyberg, Glenn Edward 38 years Jun. 4, 1978

Abdai, Anna 80 years Jul. 2, 1978

Belus, Helen 56 years Aug. 7, 1978

Thompson, Olaf 68 years Aug. 29, 1978

Gale, Robert Charles 28 years Nov. 12, 1978

Edquist, Ida Maria Olivia 92 years Jan. 23, 1979

Johansen, Haaken 82 years Aug. 19, 1979

Source: "St. Paul’s Lutheran Cemetery." A Homesteader’s Dream: History of Deer Ridge, Lone Spruce, Mayview, Cookson, Sturgeon River. D.M.C.S. History Book, 1981. pp. 20-21. Print.

Briarlea North Cemetery History Excerpt

Briarlea North Cemetery gate, looking east, 4 July 2021.

The following is an excerpt regarding one of the Briarlea district cemeteries, Briarlea North, from Footprints of Our Pioneers, a locally compiled history book:

Briarlea North Cemetery (excepts from committee minutes) 

The Briarlea Cemetery is located on one acre of land NE corner of SE ¼ 21-50-1-W3 (on Jack Cooney's land). 

The United Farmers Local Lodge in Briarlea appointed a Committee comprised of F. S. Anderson, H. Campbell, C. W. Dalton, J. Olson and John MacKay to try and formulate a plan whereby a Cemetery Organization or Company can be formed. First meeting – May 12th, 1939 at home of F. S. Anderson. Motions passed to have C.W. Dalton, Secretary and John MacKay, Chairman. 

The committee went on record in favor of establishing a Cemetery in Briarlea – they were to canvas district for signatures to by shares at $5.00 each with a down payment of $2.00. Moved by H. Campbell, seconded by John MacKay that the minutes of this meeting to be kept permanently. June 7th, 1939. Moved by H. Campbell, seconded by W. B. Grahame that the meeting form a Cemetery Company under Cemetery Act. Carried. 

June 21st, 1939. A motion was carried that $150.00 be the capital of the Cemetery Co. at $5.00 per share. 

April 5th, 1940. The following three directors F. S. Anderson, M. Fawcett and John MacKay were elected.

April 20th, 1940. At the meeting at the home of the Secretary, the committee were advised that Mr. J. Cooney would sell one acre SE 21-50-1-W3 for $30.00. It was decided to ask Mr. H. J. Fraser, lawyer and M.L.A. For Prince Albert to handle this business.

At ensuing meetings, minutes show land was seeded to crested wheat grass, tamarack posts were set 10 feet part with a three strand fence, also a 12 foot entrance gate was erected. Mighty Maple trees were obtained and planted. A name plate (Briarlea Cemetery) painted on plate glass by M. Fawcett and mounted on framework was erected.

Official Title Deeds to plots were obtained and issued to paid up shareholders.

Albert Couldwell, Selkirk Bannerman, and John MacKay promised to donate a load of gravel each to erect four corner posts and two gate posts of stone and concrete. John Olson donated a bag of cement. Donations were received by Shnay & Tadman, P.A., T. Eaton Ltd., and Mr. and Mrs. M. Fawcett.

Names mentioned in the minutes are F.S. And Stuart Anderson, Selkirk and Mrs. Bannerman, H. Campbell, C. W. Dalton, Tom Ford, W. A. J. Beaven, Albert Couldwell, Chlorus Harris, W. B. Grahame, John Olson, Martin and Mrs. Fawcett, W. A. and Mrs. McDougall, C. Nickolaisen, Fred Roberts, W. Pickering, Tom Surtees, John MacKay and Ian MacKay.

When we read from the Balance Sheet May 31st, 1941 that donations were $22.37 and shares $65.70 making a total of $88.07, we realize how desperately hard the times were. We owe a debt of gratitude to our parents and those who have gone before us who have started with practically nothing a brought a cemetery into reality in the district.

The following people are buried in the Briarlea (North) Cemetery.

Records of Birth and Death

Bannerman, John James 1903–1940

Sainsbury, William 1880–1941

Beaton, Duncan 1859–1942 

Surtees, Thomas 1865–1944

Surtees, Charlotte 1870–1951

Beaton, Ada 1891–1953 

Anderson, Frank 1881–1967

Anderson, Jessie 1885–1987

Briarlea North Cemetery grounds, looking southeast, 4 July 2021.

Source: "Briarlea North Cemetery." Footprints of Our Pioneers: Briarlea, Crutwell, Holbein, Nisbet, Rozilee, Wild Rose. Shellbrook: Wild Rose and Area History Book Committee, 1990. p. 28-29. Print.

Wild Rose West Cemetery History Excerpt

Wild Rose West Cemetery gate, looking east.

The following is an excerpt regarding one of the Wild Rose district cemeteries, Wild Rose West, from Footprints of Our Pioneers, a locally compiled history book:

The Wild Rose West Cemeteryby Albert Pugh 

The Wild Rose West Cemetery is located in the southwest corner of Section 10-[50]-2-W3. The first person who as laid to rest in 1919 was Mr Jesse Canfield, father of the late George S. Canfield. There are 51 plots used at the present time. It is two acres in size. The fence has been removed as it was serving no useful purpose and hindered grass cutting. 

The first officers were Joseph Marshall, Barney Butler, and Henry Miller. The first recorded organization meeting was in 1952 when Bill Marshall was elected secretary and caretaker supervisor, followed by Thomas Gale and Charles Bruce at the present time. 

It may come to the attention of some of us why our community needed two cemeteries. One reason is that the north one was subject to flooding in spring and therefore not usable in wet periods.

Full grounds of Wild Rose West Cemetery, looking east.

Source: Pugh, Albert. "The Wild Rose West Cemetery." Footprints of Our Pioneers: Briarlea, Crutwell, Holbein, Nisbet, Rozilee, Wild Rose. Shellbrook: Wild Rose and Area History Book Committee, 1990. p. 143-144. Print.

Wild Rose North Cemetery History Excerpt

The following is an excerpt regarding one of the Wild Rose district cemeteries, Wild Rose North, from Footprints of Our Pioneers, a locally compiled history book:

The Wild Rose North Cemetery
by Albert Pugh

The Wild Rose North cemetery was established thorough necessity, as some people were laid to rest in unmarked graves on farms where they resided.

In 1904 a Lessie M. Lycan, daughter of W. O. Lycan passed away, and at that time a plot of two acres was donated by the same W. O. Lycan in the southwest corner of Section 14-50-2-W3 for a cemetery.

There are no records of officers or meetings until 1934 John A. Lawrie was elected chairman, Walter Griffin as secretary, with Otto Luebke, Howard Turnbough and Fred Wernham as board members.

Caretakers have been: Fred Wernham, Otto Luebke and at present Ray Smith. One hundred and twenty three plots have been used.

A new entry sign was installed in 1989 marking it as "Wild Rose North Cemetery". Otto Luebke supervised the installation of a fence in such a manner that the post designates the grave rows and paths. The large spruce trees are a marker for persons on the road and for flying.

The cemetery is kept in good condition by at least two work bees a year plus other repairs.

Source:  Pugh, Albert. "The Wild Rose North Cemetery." Footprints of Our Pioneers: Briarlea, Crutwell, Holbein, Nisbet, Rozilee, Wild Rose. Shellbrook: Wild Rose and Area History Book Committee, 1990. p. 143. Print.

Foxdale Cemetery History Excerpt

The following is an excerpt regarding the Foxdale district cemetery from Our Harvest of Memories, a locally compiled history book:

The Foxdale Cemetery

The people of Foxdale decided there was a need of a cemetery so a committe was formed. The land was obtained from Mr. Dick Coles. The land was fenced, planted with grass and tress. Flowers were planted all around the front. A committe was elected E. Earby, F. Strube, and R. A. Coles.

Bill Henderson was appointed to care for it.

The plots were marked and sold. The centre was laid out for a little chapel. An arch was made by Mr. Edwin Earby Sr. for the gate. The name chosen by Mrs. Earby Sr. was "St. John's Cemetery". This and the date was painted on the arch. This was later knocked down with a truck rack and never replaced.

The first resident laid to rest was Mrs. Hecker. Since then many residents have been laid to rest there. Mr. Bruce Henry now has the paper and the Ladies' Club look after the up keep of the cemetery.

Residents laid to rest here are:

March, 1939 -- Mrs. M. Hecker
May, 1939 -- Mr. H. Henderson
November, 1938 -- Mr. J. Kurz (moved later from Sturgeon River)
February, 1941 -- Mr. E. Clausen
May, 1944 -- Mr. T. Henderson
January, 1948 -- Mr. E. Terrel
May, 1948 -- Mr. F. Winkler
March, 1954 -- Mr. P. Wall
November, 1962 -- Mrs. M. Henderson
July, 1964 -- Mr. D. L. Coles
December, 1969 -- Mr. W. Henderson
July, 1970 -- Mrs. M. Wall
May, 1975 -- Mr. G. D. Gunn
November, 1977 -- Miss J. Henderson
March, 1978 -- Mrs. F. Coles
May, 1978 -- Mr. R. Lovgren
April, 1980 -- Heather Fay Coles
August, 1981 -- Mrs. A. Kurz
January, 1982 -- Kelly Muller
June, 1982 -- Mr. E. Schmidt

Mr. Dick Coles and R. A. Coles is more precisely Mr. Richard "Dick" Alexander Coles and the land was obtained in 1938 from him. F. Strube was Fritz Strube. Mrs. Earby Sr. was born Martha Johnson.

During my visit to the Foxdale Cemetery 6 September 2009, I found markers for everyone except Mrs. M. Hecker. But noticeably, it was only the eastern side of the cemetery had any grave markers. So while the cemetery is a good acre in size, it seems only a quarter of the space has been used when judging by the 30 grave markers.

Source: Coles, Cathy, ed. "The Foxdale Cemetery." Our Harvest of Memories: Foxdale, Sturgeon Valley, Silver Cliff, Three Creeks, Rayside, Rich Valley. Shellbrook, SK: Shell River North Book Committee, 1983. pp. 32-33.

Holy Trinity Anglican Church and Cemetery History Excerpt

The following is an excerpt regarding Holy Trinity in the district of Sturgeon Valley from Our Harvest of Memories, a locally compiled history book:

Holy Trinity Church

This little old log church was built in 1914 in what was considered to be, at that time, the centre of the Sturgeon Valley settlement.

Mr. Mortimer Montgomery gave the parcel of land on which the church stands and he and Mr. Robert Lofthouse were instrumental in getting the work started. Local people of all denominations gave freely of their labour and a small grant from the Synod was used to buy the finishing lumber required. The furnishings were donated by members of the congregation in memory of their loved ones and the Ladies Aid raised sufficient money, by organizing socials, to pay for the pews, which were assembled and varnished by Mr. Rupert Bruce.

Holy Trinity Church about 1915.

The church was opened on November 1, 1914, by Bishop Newnham, with the Rev. LeClair assisting, and in the early days it was known as the "Church outside the Reserve", according to records in the Synod office.

Baptism of Valerie Ernst and Vern Ziegeman. Canon Payton, clergyman.

In the early days a branch of W.A. was formed with Mrs. Rupert Bruce as the first President, Mrs. Wm. Taylor as vice-president and Hilda Lofthouse as secretary. They were well supported by other women of the congregation and still continue to this day, only the name has since been changed to Anglican Church Women.

At first the Rev. LeClair, working from the Sturgeon Lake Mission, occasionally held services at Holy Trinity and performed any necessary functions until 1918, when the Archdeacon Paul was sent to the Mission and he held regular services at Holy Trinity from 1921 to 1924. As he worked among the Indians he went north in the summer and his place was taken at the church by students from the Theological College.

The first marriage solemnized in this little church was that of Rose Holmes and Ernest Robarts on May 1, 1916.

Rose Holmes and Ernest Robarts -- first wedding held in Holy Trinity Church, May 1, 1916.

The first confirmation class of teenagers and adults was instructed by Archdeacon Paul and confirmed by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Lloyd, (Bishop of Saskatchewan), on May 25, 1923, in Holy Trinity Church.

Confirmation service at Holy Trinity, October 13, 1947. L. to R., Back: Unknown, Ethel Anderson, Walter Anderson, Dreda Mason, Ross Mason. Front: Calvin Stene, Irvin Ziegeman, Mary Ernst, Olive Stene, Lavern Anderson, Elsi Anderson, Bishop Martin, Canon Payton.

When Archdeacon Paul was called to another post, services were conducted by students in the summer, with an occasional service in the winter, usually conducted by a clergyman from Prince Albert. Mr. Richard Snaith, a Methodist missionary in Australia, came to settle in Sturgeon Valley and was given permission by Bishop Burd to become a layreader in the Anglican church and he took the services in Holy Trinity Church for several years.

Church service at Holy Trinity, about 1929. L. to R., Staind Mr and Mrs Corydon Cowles, Joe Bruce, Marvin Cowles, Walter Featherstone, Mrs Lyons, Rose Roberts, Mrs Davidson (partial view), Mrs C. Bruce St. Dora Bruce, Rupert Bruce, Ruth Bruce, Granddad Smith, Jack Wright (partial view), Mrs Hann, George Wright, Jane Robinson, Syd Smith Sr., Jack Mitchell, Bishop Burd. Middle row, Seated: Mrs G. Wright holding Eleanor, Mrs Syd Smith Sr., Mrs J. Saunders, Grandma Smith, Kate Mitchell, Mrs Marvin Cowles. Front row, Seated: Bert Searle, Bert Wright, Audrey Smith, Milt Bruce, Dennis Deatherstone, Wilfred Wright, Bishop Burd's son, Lawrence Featherstone, Eileen Wright.

From March 1942 the church was in the charge of the Rev. W. G. Payton from Prince Albert. In time the settlement began to centre around Brant school and road conditions improved in that area, so church services were held there, especially in the winter. Services in the summer months were taken by a student minister from Emmanuel and St Chad's in Saskatoon, who would reside in the district for the duration of the college vacation. By now Holy Trinity Church had been stuccoed on the outside to preserve the log walls and the cemetery fenced and beautified by the work-bees that were held annually.

Holy Trinity Church after renovation, 1981. Corey Ziegeman in front.

In 1958 it was decided that a new church should be erected nearer to the centre of the district and the building of St. Luke's church was commenced. The much beloved little church, Holy Trinity, was restored in 1980 to an historical site. People in the district, as well as interested people from distant points, were anxious to make this church a monument to the dedicated people who had built it and the many who were laid to rest in the little cemetery alongside the church. Money was raised by donation and a government subsidy. Labour was willingly donated and the work was completed. The church holds many dear memories for the people of the district and, as an historic site, it will be preserved for many years to come.

Cairn, erected in front of Holy Trinity Church, 1982.

While there is only one mention of the churchyard next to the church, the entry is of interest for the history lesson and comparing how many of the mentioned names in relation to the church are actually buried in the churchyard (with or without markers).

Lofthouse, Bruce, Taylor, Snaith, Holmes, and Robarts are all surnames that appear in the text and for individuals in the graveyard. Of the specific individuals mentioned Rupert Bruce, Mary Bruce (Mrs. Rupert Bruce), and Rose Robarts nee Holmes, are buried in Holy Trinity. What the full relationship between the buried individuals and surnames mentioned in the history book remains to be investigated.

Source: Coles, Cathy, ed. "Holy Trinity Church." Our Harvest of Memories: Foxdale, Sturgeon Valley, Silver Cliff, Three Creeks, Rayside, Rich Valley. Shellbrook, SK: Shell River North Book Committee, 1983. pp. 491-493.