GILCHRIST, Laverne Norman: We are sad to announce the death of Laverne Gilchrist on December 9, 2014, after a long and happy life. Laverne was predeceased by his beloved wife Illa; parents Bill and Verda; granddaughter Shauna Reist; and siblings Ruth Reevie, Forrest (Bud), and Melvin (Bill). He is survived by his children Nadeen (Bob) Reist, Bruce (Peg), Dennis (Leah), and Ross (Janet); 10 grandchildren Kim, Joelle, Vaughn, Kara, Kaelee, Brad, Trevor, Alisha, Riley, and Carter; 13 great-grandchildren who will miss Grandpa GG; brothers Scotty (Shirley), Dutch (Arvella), and Jim (Carol); and his nieces and nephews. Laverne was born in Milestone on March 19, 1924 and was raised on the family farm. He was passionate about both land and sky. He was happy driving a tractor or truck during seeding and harvest, and was the last grain buyer for the P&H elevator in Milestone. At age 57, he lived a lifelong dream and became a pilot, spending many hours flying his own plane. Laverne and Illa retired to Kelowna, where they spent 15 happy years. After Illa's death in September 2005, Laverne moved to Regina in March 2006. He spent many hours over coffee with the Southland Senators at Southland Mall, solving the world's problems before the real senators were even out of bed. Over the past few years, Laverne's life was changed by the effects of dementia. It robbed him of his memory, but it also opened a new and softer side. He saw goodness in the simplest things: the wide-open skies, the prairie sunset, a child at play, dogs walking the paths of Wascana Park. Somehow life became very simple - he saw only the beauty. Our family is so grateful for the care and attention Dad received in his last years, at Marion Chateau and at Brightwater of Riverbend. Dennis and Leah have been there through the good and the difficult, and as their family we are so thankful. Memorial Service will be at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, December 13, 2014 at Milestone Alliance Church, Main Street, Milestone, SK. Flowers gratefully declined. Donations in Laverne's memory may be made to the Alzheimer Society of Saskatchewan. Arrangements entrusted to Paragon Funeral & Cremation Services, 306-359-7776.
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