Obituary of Austin Ardell Tuntland

TUNTLAND – Austin Ardell, age 87 of Swift Current, SK. and formerly of the Leinan District, peacefully went to be with his Lord and Saviour on Thursday, Sept 18th, 2014 with family by his side, at the Gull Lake Special Care Centre. Austin is survived by his children, Ardell (Karen) Tuntland, Leanne (Randy) Wiebe and Trudy (Ronnie) Holland. Grandsons: Aaron (Juanita) Tuntland and great grandson August, Brian (Janelle) Tuntland and Brandon Wiebe and grand-daughter, Brittany (Jordan) Croswell. Sister: Auriel (Malcolm) MacKenzie and her family, sisters-in-law, Marlys Lovestone and Velma Lovestone and their families. Austin was predeceased by his wife, Lenora, in February of 2005, his parents, John and Adella Tuntland and in-laws, Leonard and Myrtle Lovestone. Austin was born on the farm with help from midwife Mrs. ListerKaye, on Jan 26th, 1927, to John and Adella Tuntland. He grew up at the 17 mile bridge farm and rode horse to Leonard School and then later to Beuna Vista School. Austin spent many hours skiing the hills along the creek, running trap lines and hunting. He loved being at the gospel camps at the 17 mile bridge, playing his accordion and attending FGBI in Saskatoon. Dad married his neighbor and best friend, Lenora Lovestone on June 7, 1949. They first lived in Swift Current, where Dad worked as a parts man at I-H-C. After a brief move to Claresholm, they moved back to Swift Current, where Dad took up carpentry and shop woodwork. In 1952, he and Grandpa John hauled gravel and blacktop for some of the highways in Saskatchewan, including some airports. In 1955, Mom and Dad purchased their own farm, where they ran a mixed farming operation for many years until it became solely a grain farm. Dad continued with his trap lines as a hobby in the winter and took up curling in Stewart Valley which he enjoyed for many years. He also shuffled kids around to hockey and figure skating. Dad served faithfully on the Full Gospel Church board and was the secretary for the United Grain Growers for many years. Mom and Dad spent many happy hours around the piano, singing as a duet for fun, and for church and many community events. Many of those songs remain our favorites today. As we kids grew up, Mom and Dad turned their sights on travel to the U.S., and Europe. Hawaii became their favorite port of call. Dad was lost without Mom after her passing, as she was his whole life. He endured for 9 years for us kids and lived to see the Tuntland name carried on in the fifth generation when August was born last year. Dad’s desire over the last year was to go home and be at rest. His wish was granted when, with family by his side, he willingly took the Lord’s hand and was led to the Promised Land. Now our Mom and Dad are singing together in harmony once again:” What a day, Glorious Day that will be!” Those wishing may make donations in Austin’s memory to the Gull Lake Special Care Centre. The funeral service was held Sat, Oct 4th, 2014 from the Full Gospel Church, with Pastor Wendell Quincey officiating. Internment took place at the West Prairie Cemetery, Leinan District, Sask. Pallbearers were grandchildren, Aaron Tuntland, Brian Tuntland, Brandon Wiebe, Brittany Croswell and her husband Jordan Croswell, and friend of family, Ian MacCallum. For further information or to sign the family book of condolence, visit our website at www.parksidefuneralhome.com. Funeral arrangements were in care of Parkside Memorial Funeral Home.