Arthur Effa was born in Poland in 1926, the son of Gustav and Matilda (nee Scheller) Effa. At the age of one year, Art immigrated to Canada with his parents and two older siblings. He passed away peacefully on Wednesday, August 5, 2015 at the Kamsack Hospital at the age of 89 years and 4 months. As a family, his parents settled in the east Ebenezer area, then moved to Tonkin for three years and made their last location at Fone Hill. They attended a Baptist Church which was situated on a farm near their home. Art accepted the Lord as his Saviour in his early teens and was baptised. In 1953 he married Eileen Fenske and they were blessed with four children, Vern, Charleen, Bonnie and Melanie. Art and Eileen made their home on the farm, where Art loved all aspects of the farm life, but his favourite was spending time with the cattle. Throughout his life, Art's faith was the centrepiece of his life. When he and Eileen moved to Yorkton, Art first attended Central Baptist on Betts Avenue and later Heritage Baptist until it became too difficult for him to concentrate and stay awake during the services. Even if he wasn't at church, Art was always very interested in what was happening in his church community and faithfully continued to contribute financially. Art leaves behind his wife of 62 years, Eileen; his son, Vern (Sonya) of Springside, SK and daughters, Charleen (John) Siemons of Nipawin, SK, Bonnie (Nik) Derow of Leduc, AB and Melanie of Saskatoon, SK; nine grandchildren and their spouses and 13 great-grandchildren as well as many other relatives and friends. A Memorial Service took place at Heritage Baptist Church on Monday, August 10 at 11:00 a.m with Art's son-in-law, Pastor Nik Derow officiating. The pianist, Art's daughter Melanie, led the congregation in the singing of the hymns, "Blessed Assurance" and "It Is Well With My Soul". Family Reflections and special music were shared by Vern Effa, Bonnie Derow, Melanie Effa and Art's grandchildren. Scriptures Readings were read by Art's grandson, Pastor Scott Pierce. A Private Family Cremation Committal took place in the Springside Town Cemetery with Vern Effa, Scott Effa and Taylor Effa serving as urn bearers. Friends so wishing may forward their condolences to the family by visiting www.christiesfuneralhome.com. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Christie's Funeral Home & Crematorium, Yorkton, Saskatchewan.
