We lost a remarkable man on November 29, 2024.  He passed away two days before his 89^th   birthday.

Edward William Groat was born in Saskatoon on December 1, 1935 as the youngest child to Marjorie and Roy Groat. The family moved back to the farm at Ethelton in 1938 and his busy life as a farm kid began. He worked hard and grew strong. In fact, when Edward was 12, the school nurse thought a joke was being played on her at her annual visit because Edward had grown around 11” in one year to be just over 6’. He was not a gangly 6’ as he had put on an appropriate amount of weight during that year.  The teacher had to confirm that he was Edward Groat and not someone else.

By this time, he was carrying around cases of metal bolts and other heavy items that his dad could no longer carry because of his heart.  His dad’s heart condition also prevented his dad from driving but fortunately Edward fit the bill as a 14 year old chauffeur.  Driving from Ethelton to Peace River, over to the coast, through Washington and then back to Windsor where they picked up their new car before driving home.  This cemented his lifelong love of driving. It also made for an easy     driver’s test as the RCMP officer asked his dad if he had driven before taking his driver’s test.  His dad told him of the trip 2 years prior.  So the officer got into the vehicle, and had Edward drop him off a block later with his new license!

He was not a stranger to hard work or long days; he told of getting up to milk the cows and sleep-milking, then going back to bed and not remembering the cows were milked when he woke up.  Eventually he took the farm over at the age of 29.

On July 12, 1957 he married the love of his life, Jean Isbister who had come to teach and be principal at the Ethelton High School.  They were blessed with four children Bradley, Robert,    Nancy, and Kevin.  Edward always put his family first and in 1972 Edward and Jean made the   decision to sell the homestead farm and buy his brother Gordon’s farm to be closer to Kinistino so the kids would have a shorter bus ride.

In 1974, he started to build a new house which he and Jean had designed.  With the help of family and friends they completed it in 1977.  He later said he had no idea what possessed him to build a house as he had never done anything like it before.  He was never afraid to tackle any job. He took a class in air conditioning and installed it in their new home.

He did love to learn new things, often reading many sources to gain an understanding of the task he was about to complete.  This, along with a curiosity of how things worked led him to complete a variety of repairs from machinery to sewing machines. When a favourite chair was worn, he took a course in reupholstering.

In the 90’s he hit the information age and learned how to use computers.  He enjoyed the   weather radar as it helped him make plans for the day. He had a natural affinity for weather   forecasting.

Edward also loved music. He played the guitar and clarinet. He would break out into song with a beautiful baritone voice and dabbled in bass every once in a while. He was a very good whistler. Another love was to dance with Jean.

When their kids were younger, Edward helped with Boy Scouts and Jean led C.G.I.T., and they both taught Sunday School. An avid bowler, Edward coached many kids through Youth Bowling Canada. He also participated in many team tournaments at a national level.  Other hobbies he enjoyed were hunting, fishing, woodworking, leather work, carpentry, and baking bread. At Christmas time he would make up to 50 pounds of fudge, most of which he gave away.

In the early 80’s Edward added bus driver to his resume.  He loved to see the kids each day.

Once their own kids had moved away, Edward and Jean started to travel more, driving from place to place to visit family and friends. Also, they both enjoyed doing genealogical research.

Always learning new things and a love of photography led him to taking a class.  Of course, this was back in the film era.  But he quickly adapted to the digital camera and at last an i-phone. Of course, the photography skills were put to good use with all the grandchildren!  He loved to spend time with them, teasing them, singing to them, playing games, and just watching whatever they were doing.

In 2014 Edward and Jean moved off the farm and into Melfort.  After 76 years of farm life, it was an adjustment that he took in stride.  When looking for a place to live in town, Jean asked him which place he preferred, and he said he didn’t care as long as it was with her.

In his late 20’s he accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Saviour.  For many people who knew him it was evidenced by his gentleness, generosity, humbleness, patience, kindness and unconditional love.  He was called home on the birthday of his eldest son.

Edward was predeceased by his son Bradley; parents Roy and Marjorie Groat; father-in-law and mother-in-law Joe and Bella Nancy Isbister; his siblings and their spouses, Gordon (June) Groat, Effie (Walter) Hindley, Velma (Bill) Campbell and 2nd and 3rd husbands Vern Johansen and Cyril Lacey, Phyllis (Harvey) Ford, and Clark. His brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Reta (Bob) King, Theresa (Jack) Boehm, Bernie Isbister and many nieces and nephews.

He will be dearly missed by Jean his wife of 67 years; his children Robert (Marilyn), Nancy, and Kevin (Janet); his brother-in-law David (Nancy) Isbister and sister-in-law Dorothy Isbister; his nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. And a very dear special friend Brent (Rhonda) Serviss.

Special thanks to the staff at Parkland Place for the care they gave Edward during the past three years, and especially in his last few days there. Thank you to the staff at the Melfort Hospital for their care of Edward. Thank you to Dr Zerr for his care of Edward over the years, and his  compassionate meetings with the family. And a very special thank you to Brent for all that he has done for us.

Donations in Edward’s memory can be made to the North Central Health Care Foundation and designated for Parkland Place, North Central Health Care Foundation, Box 2260 Melfort, SK S0E 1A0. E-transfer to nchcfoundation@outlook.com. Put “For Parkland Place in memory of Edward Groat” in the comments section.

Edward’s Celebration of Life Service was held from the Park Avenue Bible Church, Melfort, on Saturday, December 7, 2024 with Pastor Larry Rempel officiating.The service was recorded and is available on the Park Avenue Bible Church’s website.  The interment will take place at a later date in the Flett’s Springs Cemetery.

To leave condolences for the Family, please visit the online guestbook at www.fedusiakfuneralchapel.com.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Fedusiak Funeral Chapel & Crematorium, Melfort. (306) 752-3838.

 

• Date : 2024-11-29
• Location : Melfort, SK