Stanley Merton Durr Age 88 Years - 1923 - 2012 Late of Estevan, Sask. Stanley is survived by his sons, Thomas (Elaine) Durr, Lovell (Judy) Durr, Lewis (Gail) Durr, James (Brenda) Durr; daughters, Louise (Ken) Kurtz, Rozann (Dale) Graefer; grandchildren: Angela Simon, William (Jennifer) Durr, Tina (Daniel) Stepp, Jason (Kyla) Durr, Jordan Durr (Shawna), Jeffrey (Rhonda) Kurtz, Stephen (Kristy) Kurtz, Stewart (Tara) Kurtz, Dietta (Darcy) Todos, Melissa (Matt) Sanderson, Bradley (Colleen) Durr, Amanda (Brad) Bohnet, Shane Graefer; great grandchildren: Dawson, Brooke, Logan, Levi, Colby, Jayden, Cody, Dylan, Ethan, Garrett, Hudson, Cohen, Marin, Lauren, Zachary, Mathew, Jesse, Owen, Julia, Liam, Drew, and Danika; special friend, Doreen Dirks; as well as numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife, Georgian; parents, Jay and Ethelwyn Durr; sisters, Jessie (Lawrence) Tannas, Mildred (Edward) Lawrence; brothers, Wilbur (Dorothy) Durr, Dwight (Emily) Durr. Stanley Merton Durr was born on March 4, 1923 at the home farm NE 1/4 12-2-13 W2 near Bromhead. His parents were Ethelwyn and Jay Durr. He was the youngest of five children: two brothers, Wilbur and Dwight and two sisters, Jessie and Mildred. As a young boy, he enjoyed life on the farm. The animals, farm work, trapping, hunting and getting into the typical mischief of most young boys. Long Creek, which flows through the farm, was a wonderful source of entertainment for his family. It provided swimming and sometimes fishing in the summer and the beauty of the wild roses blooming in June was unforgettable. In the winter, he skated and trapped. He attended Schneller School. Dad completed his schooling in Bromhead. Later he took on the full responsibility of farming and caring for the livestock. Dad married Georgean McAdam on January 1, 1945. They lived on the family farm and raised their family of six children there, Thomas, Lovell, Louise, Lewis, James and Rozann. Getting the crop in the ground and harvest time gave him a great sense of enjoyment and thankfulness. He always had animals on the farm. These animals were a source of work and entertainment, not only for his children but also his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Dad enjoyed many hobbies in his lifetime. From a very early age, he had hunted arrowheads and Indian artifacts and later hunting agates, which led him to doing lapidary work and making jewellery. As the family grew older, hunting trips were planning, square dancing was enjoyed, picnics at the farm, family curling spiels in Bromhead, skating parties on Long Creek and many Christmas gatherings. Later Dad enjoyed going to auctions and gun shows. From his many auction sales, a great number of items accumulated, so Dad decided to restore buildings and develop a small village-like museum on the farm. Mom and Dad spent many hours restoring artifacts and many school children reaped the benefits of their work. A dream had been fulfilled, now Mom and Dad could show and teach the younger generation of what life was like in the past. This collection of artifacts was later donated to the Souris Valley Museum in Estevan. They moved to Estevan in 1996 and started enjoying city life. They celebrated 56 wonderful years together. His wife Georgean passed away in 2001. In 2009, Dad moved into Creighton Lodge. His friend Doreen helped him get through many lonely times and became a trusted and true caregiver in his life. For that, we his family are very thankful. At Creighton Lodge, he met many friends and looked forward to the many musical groups that visited the Lodge. He joined the choir at Creighton Lodge and enjoyed the singing. For hobbies, he played his harmonica, painted, made jewellery and watched and fed the friendly squirrels and birds. Dad's faith and trust in the Lord always sustained him in his life. Dad was hospitalized in Estevan on November 9, 2011. We, his family want to thank the Doctors, the nurses and all the staff at St. Joseph's Hospital for the excellent care Dad received during his stay there. Thanks to his many friends who stopped by for a visit, it always cheered him up. Dad passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 31, 2012. Funeral services were held on Thursday, February 2, 2012 at St. Paul's United Church in Estevan. A special thanks to Rev. Brenna Nickel for her visits and officiating at the services. Thanks to the choir and Dustin Hall for singing, Hall Funeral Services, to the ladies of the United Church who served the lunch. And a very special thanks to each of his grandchildren who served as pallbearers - Bill Durr, Brad Durr, Jason Durr, Jordan Durr, Shane Graefer, Jeffrey Kurtz, Stephen Kurtz, Stewart Kurtz, Dietta Todos; readers Melissa Sanderson, Tina Stepp, Amanda Bohnet and Dietta Todos; and to Angela Simon who played special music at the graveside service. Thank you to all who made monetary donations in memory of Dad, for the beautiful floral bouquets, for the delicious foods delivered to our door and for the many kind words of sympathy. These acts of kindness are very much appreciated by all of his family. - The Stanley Durr family: Tom and Elaine Durr, Lovell and Judy Durr, Ken and Louise Kurtz, Lewis and Gail Durr, James and Brenda Durr, Rozann and Dale Graefer.
