PICOUYE: Gerald Russell Larry
September 2, 1944 – December 5, 2016
The death of Mr. Gerald Russell Larry Picouye of Bruno, SK, occurred at Humboldt District Hospital, Humboldt, SK, on Monday, December 5, 2016. He was 72 years of age. The only child of Steve and Annie (nee Bidulka) Picouye, Gerald was born on Saturday, September 2, 1944, at home on the family farm north of Carmel, SK. He grew up there and learned to care for, respect, and love animals of all kinds. As Gerald got a little older, he and his father raised pure bred Hereford cattle. By the mid 60’s, as a young man, Gerald decided it was time to leave the farm for a new career. In his quest for employment, Gerald found himself in Regina employed at Kramer Tractor as an equipment demonstrator. That position sent Gerald to the shores of the south Saskatchewan River, where the Gardiner Dam was to be built. In the small neighbouring town of Riverhurst, Gerald met a young lady named Marlene Gwen McClelland where they dated and married on February 3, 1967. Gerald and Gwen were proud new parents nine months later with the birth of their daughter Tammie on October 12, 1967. Gerald continued on with road construction, being promoted to foreman on many projects. Gwen joined in as a camp cook assistant, which got them sent to jobs like Mount Blackstrap, Meadow Lake, Grande Cache, AB, and back to Spiritwood, SK, where their second daughter Melanie was born on September 22, 1971. At this point in his career, Gerald, Gwen and their two daughters moved back to Carmel and in 1974 opened Picouye Service. It was a busy year, none the least with the birth of their third child, a son named Danny, on September 29, 1974. With both the business and family growing in size, the decision to move was made; a larger shop was rented in Humboldt for the business as well as the purchase of Steve Remenda’s farm east of Bruno. Even with a business in Humboldt, grain farming, and caring for livestock, Gerald always found time for his family. By the late 80’s, with the lack of snow, operating a snowmobile shop wasn’t feasible anymore, Gerald and Gwen decided to close Picouye Service for good in 1988. Gerald, the entrepreneur he was, with his knowledge of equipment and experience with animals as well as his knowledge of the livestock industry, decided to start Picouye Trucking, hauling pigs and cattle to market and pasture. He also did hail adjusting for ten years. Gerald continued to farm and increase his herd of cattle to 160 cows, and of course a dog or two and lots of cats. This past October, the decision to sell the remaining cows was a tearful event for Gerald. He really loved his cows. In his leisure time, Gerald enjoyed fishing trips, visits to Mexico, casino runs, and lengthy Kaiser games. On December 5th, Gerald made the biggest trade of his life – a life of pain and suffering or to be at peace with death. Gerald will be sadly missed by his wife of 49 years, Gwen (nee McClelland) Picouye (just 60 days short of their 50th wedding anniversary); three children, 10 grandchildren, and one great-grandson, all of whom he loved very much: daughter Tammie Krentz, her husband Brian, and their children April (son Landon and special friend Dwayne), Ryan and Robyn (special friend Jamie); daughter Melanie Brockman, her husband Tim, and their children Shey Lynne, Jenna, Jo Lee, and Breanna; and son Danny, his wife Tracy, and their children Courtney, Teneale and Nikita (special friend Trent). He was predeceased by his parents, Steve and Annie (nee Bidulka) Picouye; in-laws: Tom McClelland and Verna (nee DeWynter) Lafreniere, step-father-in-law, Romeo Lafreniere; brother-in-law, Wayne (Tiny) McClelland; and niece Sharron McClelland. A Funeral Service was held at Schuler-Lefebvre Funeral Chapel, Humboldt, on Thursday, December 8, 2016, at 7:00 p.m., officiated by Nestor Trach. A prayer was read by Ed Brockman, and the eulogy was delivered by Brian Krentz, Courtney Picouye, and Shey Lynne Brockman. A slide presentation was shown by the Picouye family. A second Funeral Service was held at the Bruno Community Hall, Bruno, on Thursday, December 8, 2016, at 8:00 p.m. Interment will take place at a later date. Memorial donations may be directed to either the Canadian Cancer Society or the Humboldt District Hospital Palliative Care Unit. Schuler-Lefebvre Funeral Chapel.
