Obituary of Wesley Neil Roadhouse

On Sunday, September 4, 2011 Mr. Wesley (Skip) Roadhouse of Hughenden, Alberta passed away at the Hardisty Health Centre at the age of 75 years. He leaves to mourn his passing his loving wife of 53 years, Betty, his children; Dale (Debbie) Roadhouse of Hughenden, Tammy (Neal) Brown of Red Deer, Mary (Mike) Mueller of Donalda, Wesley George (Jennifer) Roadhouse; nine grandchildren, Melissa (Sheldon) Currier, Amie Roadhouse, Jesse Brown, Cole Brown, Clinton Mueller, Blair Mueller, Alden Mueller, Nicholas Hoff, Emma Hoff; great granddaughter, Gracie; his brothers, Bill (Ferne), Stan (Kay), Russ (Iris), Lloyd (Patricia); mother-in-law, Evelyn Marchand; sister-in-law, Kathleen (David) Dalby; two brothers-in-law, Don (Norma) Coleman, Rick (Joyce) Coleman; numerous nieces and nephews. Skip was born Wesley Neil Roadhouse on July 17, 1936 in the farmhouse of his Uncle Ross and Aunt Mabel, in the I-Hill district of Senlac Saskatchewan. He was in such a hurry to enter the world he wouldn’t let his mom get to the hospital. His twin sister Mary was born 5 minutes later. Skip had 3 older brothers, Bill, Russ, Stan, his twin sister, Mary and a younger brother, Lloyd. He was predeceased by an infant brother Harvey in 1939. Skip attended Cotswold School in the municipality of Senlac for several years and then attended Evesham School. Skip’s only mode of transportation to school was on his horse Riley or on foot. UPHILL BOTH WAYS, thus starting his love of horses. Many a wonderful hilarious story has been told about his childhood in rural Saskatchewan. In 1952, Skip and his brother Russ answered an ad for farm laborers in the Provost News and this is how Skip came to the Czar/Hughenden area. In the early years Skip worked for the Swanson’s, Pearson’s, Walls, Richardson’s and Motley’s. Jean Motley says Skip was her boy, a relationship he cherished for his entire life. In 1954 Skip met and fell in love with Elizabeth June Coleman. They were married on July 18, 1958. Skip and Betty lived in Wainwright after they were married and Skip worked at the Wainwright Oil Refinery. Their first child Dale Lee was born in 1959, followed by Tammy-Marie in 1961, Mary Jean in 1965 and Wesley George in 1968. Skip missed the farm and he moved his family back to Czar in 1959 to work for the Motley Brothers and Czar Cattle Hall. In 1964 Skip and Betty bought the family farm and moved 2 miles north into the district of Hughenden. They lived on the farm until 1977 when they moved into town. Skip continued to farm his land until 1992. He carried on farming with his friends as he loved to run the combine. He then went to work full time for the department of highways in 1970 where he remained a respected and dedicated employee for 31 years, until his retirement. Skip was an active volunteer for over 25 years with the Hughenden Agricultural Society board of directors. He also dedicated many volunteer hours to Hughenden Minor Sports, Hughenden Ball board, Hughenden Lions Club and the local Rec board. He loved coaching ball and hockey, umpiring and watching figure skating. Skip and Betty were the caretakers of the Hughenden Arena for several winters. He had a great reputation as a skate sharpener and ice keeper and if the truth be told he loved to BS the most. Skip had a love of all animals, especially horses since childhood. He developed a love of heavy horses while spending time with his brothers Bill and Stan. Skip was best friends with Santa Claus; Santa only trusted Skipper and his team of horses as his transportation to Hughenden, Amisk and Czar on Santa Claus Day. He never hesitated to volunteer his team and wagon for a hayride, a wedding, or a parade. Skip dedicated his life to loving his family and friends. He would drop what he was doing to help a neighbor or a stranger in need. He was thrilled to attend his grandchildren’s music recitals, sports and school events, as his grandchildren were the light of his life. And they loved their Grandpa Skip with all their hearts. On December 9th Little Gracie Lee Currier stole his heart and was his reason to breathe. Dad fought a long hard battle to breathe for many years and he peacefully surrendered on September 4th surrounded by his loving family. FOREVER LOVED, NEVER FORGOTTEN