JOHN VALENTINE THORBURN

JOHN VALENTINE THORBURN August 17, 1923 May 9, 2024
John Thorburn passed away on May 9, 2024, three months shy of his 101st birthday. He was blessed to the end with a sharp mind, excellent memory, and sense of humour. Born to Rosalie (Rogoschewsky) and Valentine Thauberger of Abbey, SK, John was raised on the farm with his five older sisters. It was there he developed a strong work ethic and learned to take pride in a job well done, character traits which never left him. One by one his sisters left home, but John had a strong affinity for the land. He began farming alongside his father, then later on his own, and finally with his sons. He radiated with pride in 2010 when the Government of Saskatchewan presented him with a Century Family Farm Award recognizing that his family had been farming the land continuously for 100 years. John married Elda Valentine of Pennant, SK on July 20, 1949. Together, they raised a family of nine. Throughout their marriage, John and Elda worked side by side on the family farm east of Abbey raising their family, nurturing friendships and giving back to the community. John served as RM Councillor and Reeve for many years. To help pay the bills, John drove the school bus for 25 years. In the early years, he often told his wife, “We are rich, and maybe someday we’ll have money!” In their retirement years, John and Elda left the farm and transitioned to life at the Southview Grand Condominium in Medicine Hat. They met many welcoming people there and were honoured by the new friendships they made. During weekly card nights, John enjoyed many games of Whist and Crib (to his very last day, he could count a hand of points quicker than any), and he learned for the first time to play Bridge. John served on the condo board for several years where he was admired by many for his attention to detail and at times garnered a grudging respect from others for his persistent nature. John leaves to cherish his memory a large and loving family including his children, Doran (Lois) of Olds, AB; Larry (Judy) of Assiniboia, SK; Dale (Sandra) of Abbey, SK; Marion (Wayne Murch) of Lancer, SK; Dennis (Rita) of Burstall, SK; David (Helen) of Leader, SK; Paul (Crystal) of Ardill, SK; Charlotte (Kent Powell) of Edmonton, AB; and daughter-in-law, Joanne of Ft. Saskatchewan, AB. They will always remember the centenarian who shaped the way they navigate their lives. Also, left with a trove of happy memories, are 19 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren who recall the hours of fun they had playing card games, table tennis (known always as ping-pong), pool, ladder golf, and shuffleboard with their grandpa. They will never forget the many home-made toys grandpa crafted for them, or the cash which was slipped quietly into their open palms so they could “buy ice-cream on the way home.” He was predeceased by his loving wife of 68 years, Elda Thorburn, in 2017; his son and daughter-in-law, Neil and Ellaine Thorburn of Red Deer, AB; and his precious great-grandson, Garrett Delorme of St. Victor, SK. A celebration of John’s life will be held on Monday June 24, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. at Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church in Lancer, SK. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Canadian Kidney Foundation at Southern Alberta Branch, 6007 1A Street SW, Calgary, AB T2H 0G5 or online at Kidney.ca or to AJ’s Loan Cupboard at 602A Clay Ave SE Medicine Hat, AB T1A 3K2. Condolences may be sent through www.saamis.com or to condolences@saamis.com subject heading John Thorburn. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to
SAAMIS MEMORIAL FUNERAL
CHAPEL CREMATORIUM &
RECEPTION CENTRE,
“The Chapel in the Park
#1 Dunmore Road SE,
Medicine Hat, AB T1A 1Z5
(403)528-2599
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