JOHN STEEN

John “Ray” Steen of Admiral, SK passed away June 26, 2013 at the age of 80 years surrounded by his loving family at the Cypress Regional Hospital in Swift Current, SK.
Ray is survived by his children: daughter Lois (Gerard) Rissling and granddaughter Brittni of Medicine Hat; son Gordon (Pattie) Steen and grandsons Shaye and Brett of Shaunavon; and special friend Ruth Kilmer.
Ray was predeceased by his wife Marcelle; his parents John & Florence Steen, two sisters in infancy and Marcelle’s parents Phillip and Helen Guy.
Ray was born in Shaunavon on May 10, 1933. He attended the one-room Sherman School north of the Steen homestead. Ray started farming the Steen homestead in 1951. On October 23, 1956 he married Marcelle Guy of Crichton. Together they farmed the family homestead and ran a mixed farming operation. He was very proud of his land, his cows and near to his heart his horses. Ray and Marcelle loved trail-riding in Southwest Saskatchewan. He was John Deere “Green” when it came to farming and took very good care of the equipment that provided his living. He was an active community member over the years being part of the Admiral Happy Hearts group, North Immanuel Lutheran Church, PFRA and Co-op pasture boards, Swift Current Frontier Days Rodeo Board and a 30-year member of Shaunavon Rodeo Committee. He was always there to help the community or a neighbour when needed. He loved rodeo and over the years he and Marcelle, and then later Ruth traveled to many local rodeos, and events in southern Saskatchewan where they made many friends. He cherished his friendships both old and new; his Sunday morning phone calls; attending his children’s 4-H events, horse shows, rodeos and later on his grandchildren’s concerts, rodeos and graduations.  
The memorial service will be held on Thursday, July 4, 2013 at 11:00 am in the Admiral Hall with Funeral Celebrant Bernadette Schneider officiating. Interment will follow in the Family Plot in the Admiral Cemetery. Donations in Ray’s memory may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society or the Charity of one’s choice. Binkley’s Funeral Service (www.Binkleys.com) is in charge of the arrangements.