Gary Milbrandt was born on April 4, 1953 in Yorkton, SK to Ada and Melford Milbrandt. He was raised on the family farm at Springside. Living beside a creek, Gary developed a love for nature and animals. In his growing up years he learned to trap muskrats, beavers, and sometimes mink. He was lucky to have a Grandpa who nurtured him, and passed on his keen sense of humour. Gary enjoyed teasing and sometimes pulling pranks on his Dad and brother. Gary graduated in 1971 from the Yorkton Regional High School. He then took a job at MacLeod's Store. There he made friends easily and enjoyed working in the hunting department. In 1974 he decided to move closer to home as a special friend had moved back into the area. After a four year friendship and courtship, Gary married the one and only love of his life, Faith Tillman, on June 28, 1975. Together their love story began as they worked together hand in hand through the many ups and downs. In 1976 they joined his father-in-law, Addie Tillman, helping and learning how to run a dairy farm. Gary and Faith later began their journey into farming on their own, with cattle and grain. In 1978 Gary and Faith were blessed with their first-born son, Kristopher, and shortly thereafter their son Kurtis. Gary felt so blessed, and dreamed of spending time with his boys, teaching them about farming, hunting, and fishing. With the arrival of his daughters, Lindsay and Laura, he found they opened up a very different place in his heart. He loved and adored his girls, and was very protective of their well-being. Gary was a family man through and through. He took his responsibility to his wife and family very seriously. He worked hard to provide for their every need. He took time to teach, listen and encourage, and was never shy to give a hug or a kiss to those he loved so dearly. Over the course of the last thirty-plus years, Gary farmed, drove school bus, raised cattle, and built and developed his own seed cleaning plant. Gary took pride in his work and was particular about his tools, plant and yard. Gary felt that his last job at Napa was a dream job, with wonderful colleagues and the best boss ever! In the last years, Gary enjoyed many wonderful times holidaying with Faith in the mountains, and vacationing with his family in Hawai'i. He loved spending time with Faith and Laura and Devin on their wild vacations in San Diego and Maui. Gary accepted the Lord at a young age, sitting in the sheep pasture with his pastor. On December 7, 1995, Gary joined his youngest daughter Laura in baptism. What an exciting day that was for his family! It was a testament of his faith in God and His leading in his life. In the last 11 years, a new role developed for Gary. He became a grandfather! His grandchildren brought him so much joy, laughter and love. Gary leaves to mourn his passing and to cherish his memory, his loving wife, Faith; his son, Kris (Shanna) of Saskatoon; his son, Kurtis (Malinda) of Didsbury, AB; his daughter, Lindsay (David) Regier of Swift Current; his daughter, Laura (Devin) Toews of Saskatoon and his loving grandchildren, Aurora, Zachary and Olivia Milbrandt, Madelyn, Greta and Sophie Milbrandt, and Hannah, Ethan and Owen Regier. He is also survived by his parents, Melford and Ada Milbrandt; his brother, Glenn (Donna) and his sister, Wendy (Brad) Schmidt. He will also be missed by his nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He is predeceased by his grandparents, Alford and Laura Milbrandt and Charles and Ethel McKenn, as well as his father-in-law, Addie Tillman and brother-in-law, Bev Tillman. Funeral Services were held on Monday, January 19, 2015 from the Chapel of Christie's Funeral Home in Yorkton, SK with Pastor Darren Holland and Pastor Brian Ray officiating. Words of tribute and eulogy were shared by Gary's son, Kurtis Milbrandt and tributes were also shared by all of Gary's children. The pianist, Laurel Teichroeb and congregational song leader, Eldon Scheirer, led the singing of the hymns, "How Great Thou Art" and "Victory in Jesus". Special music was provided by Gary's grandchildren who sang, "You Are My Sunshine" and his granddaughters who sang, "Somebody Prayed for Me". Following a luncheon in the Gunn Reception Room at Christie's Funeral Home, the interment service took place in the Springside Town Cemetery, Springside, SK with Kristopher Milbrandt, Kurtis Milbrandt, David Regier, Devin Toews, Colin Dohms and Mark Dohms serving as the casket bearers. The Honourary Pallbearers were Madelyn Milbrandt, Aurora Milbrandt, Greta Milbrandt, Hannah Regier, Zachary Milbrandt, Sophie Milbrandt, Ethan Regier, Olivia Milbrandt and Owen Regier. Friends so wishing may make donations in Gary's name to the Gideon's International, The Saskatchewan Children's Hospital Foundation or the R.C.M.P. Veterans' Association as tokens of remembrance. 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.
