BURNARD: Steve Burnard passed away on June 16, at the age of 78, at 1:50 P.M. in the Meadow Lake Hospital with his family at his side. Steve Burnard spent the last year battling bone cancer. The funeral was in Livelong, Sask. on June 22, 2012. He was laid to rest in the Livelong Cemetery. Reverend Cannon Donald Skinner officiated, Wilfred and Darlene Hamm with Greg and Inga Sample preformed "Where the Angels Sing." Keith Mitchell read the poem, "The House with Nobody in it," by Joyce Kilmer. He leaves to mourn his passing, his wife of 50 years, Carol Marie Burnard (Ruelling), his five children; Connie (Wayne) Topott and daughter Kennedy, Shannon Burnard-Wilson (Neal) and sons Boyd and Reyd, Rena Burnard and stepson Michael Cormier, Brian Burnard and Michelle Blagbourne and Brian's (Verna Mallard) children, Zoie, Venus, Zaylee, and Xan, Tracy Burnard (Tracie) and son Kane, his sister, Frances Edwards and numerous nieces and nephews. Honorary Pallbearers: Dean Swanberg, Lorne Swanberg, Dr. Ken Garrett, Bobby Linns, Dennis Powling, Gary Edwards, Nelson Pryor. Active Pallbearers: Robert Carlson, Ed LeClerc, Glen Potter, Bruce Ruelling, Harold Kivimaa, Gerald L'Huereax. The Eulogy for Steven Burnard was delivered by Pat Delainey Sr. Stephen Archibald Burnard was born on a cold and wintery mourn, the 25th of December 1933, at the homestead on NW 10-50-19, in the RM of Mervin. The youngest of seven, and the second son, he was the pride and joy of his five sisters, May, Nellie, Clara, Frances, Dorothy and brother Edward. Growing up in the 1930's, his parents, Archie (Archibald) and Nora (Hanora) worked hard to provide for the family. Raising cattle (up to 100 head at one time), as well as pigs and growing grain and hay. At the age of six, Steve walked or rode the three miles to Daysville School each day. A special treat was the ride to the post office at Daysville for the mail and maybe a sweet. His spare time was filled with horses, dogs and the radio program "Cowboy Bob." The first time I met or saw Steve, I was 13 or 14 years old and dad and I were in the store in Fairholme, Sask., believe it or not, Fairholme did have stores back then. These two fellows came into the store, one was a big boisterous guy, you certainly knew he was there, and the other was a tall, slim, quite young man. After we left the store, I asked dad who were those guys and he told me they were Eddy and Steve Burnard. I am sure that after my description I don't have to explain to anyone which one was who. As Steve grew older, his thoughts turned to cars and girls. He cut a long, lean, handsome figure at dances and gatherings. His ability to sing and yodel did not go unnoticed and his 1963 Chevy two door car made him irresistible. He caught the eye of a beautiful, green eyed, brunette by the name of Carol Marie Ruelling. Carol was 16 in the summer of '58 and Steve was 24. It was love at first sight. After courting for three years, they decided to tie the knot on April 6, 1962, at 2:00 o'clock, in the Zion Lutheran church in North Battleford, SK. Lee Ruelling was the best man and his wife Hazel was the maid of honor. The newlyweds made their first home outside Lashburn, SK., where they were employed by Audrey and Harry Hardy. Steven worked as a hired man on the large farm and Carol worked in the house with Audrey. On Wednesday, November 14th, 1962, the first snow of the winter arrived, and at 3:00 P.M., Connie Caroline Burnard also arrived, the first child of Carol and Steve Burnard. Connie was born in the Lashburn SK. hospital. Carol and Steve were living outside of Turtleford, SK. working for Alistair Macdonald in April 1964. On Sunday the 12th, Shannon Marie Burnard was born in the St. Walburg hospital. Her fine black hair and pouty lips made her the best "toy" an older sister could ask for. In 1965, Rena Lynn Burnard was born on Tuesday, December 21st, at Prince George, BC. The family was now living on the Buckhorn Road where Steven worked in the logging industry as a "chokerman." A year later they moved and Carol managed the St. Mary's Lake Store. While living here Rena experienced her "nudist" phase. No matter how hard we tried we couldn't keep Rena's clothes on. We'd dress her and minutes later, she was undressed, much to our embarrassment! Thank Goodness she was only two. In 1969, the family had returned to the Ruelling homestead north of Livelong, SK. On Wednesday, April 23rd their first son, Brian Steve Burnard, was born at St. Walburg, SK, and what a stir he caused. When Steven and Eddie tried to change his diaper, Brian decided to pee all over. Steve and Eddie weren't concerned about the mess as they were so pleased to discover "it" worked! On Tuesday, January 18, 1972, Tracy Conrad, the second son and last child, was born in St. Walburg, SK. Carol had made the journey south from LaLoche, SK. Where they were both managed a small convenience store for Raymond and Bruce Ruelling. Tracy Conrad was the "New Year's Baby" that year. He was honored with many gifts from the community, most of which were clothing. However, due to Tracy's extra large infant size, 10 lbs., 12 oz, none of the gifts fit. In June of 1972, the family moved to their present day residence, 15 miles north of Glaslyn, SK. They purchased the "Halfway House" (now known as Moose Country Service) store and gas station from Fred and Rose Leger, on Highway 4, between Glaslyn and Meadow Lake, SK. In the past 40 years Steve and Carol have made many changes to the store and in their lives. On a personal note, the Halfway House was very important to our logging business. Back then it was where we went to use the telephone, charge a battery, get a sandwich, etc. Steve and Carol were and are very obliging to us and we appreciated this very much. Steve had worked at several jobs in addition to the store, as a truck driver, a cat driver for the community pasture and with the Department of Highways summer crew. In 1977 Steve and Carol took the family to Disneyland. In 1978, Carol took up taxidermy and now runs a thriving business. In 1981, Steve and Carol bought two Tennessee walking horse mares, Nugget and Dixie. Nugget had the Stallion Pretty Boy. Pretty Boy was Steve's much-loved horse for 30 years. Steve commented that it was a good thing that Pretty Boy passed first, as he couldn't stand the thought of someone else taking care of his beloved horse. They ran a trail ride up to the old Chisik Ranch, Steve liked being out with nature and with his horses. They enjoyed their horses, dogs and grandchildren. Steve had found his niche in the bait industry, catching and selling leaches from nearby sloughs. This job required him to be on the slough collecting traps bulging with leeches at 5:00 A.M. and out setting traps at 5:00 P.M.. Whew! That made for a long day. But what is a good life without hard work? Steve and Carol had both. Carol and Steve celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary on April 6, 2012. All who knew them marveled at their mutual love for one another. Theirs was one of a kind, a union seldom seen between two people; it was a connection of the heart and soul. Steve Burnard, was a quiet, solid man who will be greatly missed by his wife Carol, his family and everyone who knew him. His love of horses and dogs was only surpassed by his love of family. Tribute from the Children: They say that life's success is not measured by what you take, but by what you give. Thank you for giving us the love of all animals, great and small, and the special love that only a Dad can give. MEMORIES: From daughter Shannon: My favorite memory was when dad taught me to ride a horse. We would go for long rides through the bush, he on Flory and me on Chestnut. We would just ride and talk or just ride. Dad would always curse the damn poplar trees because they grew so close together. Now I know why, because he grew up on the prairies where he could ride fast or slow and not worry about the damn trees. From daughter Rena: When I was about seven years old, Dad had me with him on his Case tractor, while he was clearing snow in the yard. The tractor would stall and each time dad would say, "Case! Power and Equipment," then restart it. From Brian: When we went to Prince Albert with a load of pulp and he let me drive the big truck on the way home. From Tracy: In my eyes he was the strongest man I knew. No matter how hard life got he never complained or felt sorry for himself. Whether it was a semi accident or being squashed by a giant tree he never gave up on life and showed to me he had a strong will. From daughter Connie: My favorite memory of Dad is..My Wedding Feb.18, 1989. Although I thought I would have no trouble staying cool and steady on my wedding day, my nerves got the best of me and a case of the stage fright jitters set in shortly before we left for the church. But Dad, who was driving me and my three bridesmaids to the church, came to the rescue. He told me to sit down and sip my medicine and I'd be fine! The medicine was a shot of rye whiskey and warm water. Sure enough, within minutes I was feeling calm, soothed and relaxed. When we arrived at the church, Dad continued to be helpful, quietly getting everyone in their places before the great foyer doors opened and we walked down the aisle. Suddenly the doors opened and all faces turned to look at the bride and her father. The music started and I counted to three, just as we had rehearsed the night before, and then took a step. But, I didn't get far! Dad stood there, rigid, like a great anchor. I counted to three again, took a step, and again found myself held firmly in place by Dad's frozen figure. Finally, I said, "come' on Dad, on the count of three, one,..two,..three " We were away! As we walked down the aisle through the crowded church, I remembered that Dad had not taken his medicine! Card of Thanks: The Family of Steve Burnard would like to thank: Thank you to the staff at Meadow Lake Hospital for their care and kindness. Thank you to Dr. Gavin Van De Venter for his care and concern. Thank you to McCaw's Funeral Home, Joel and Dave Macaw for their kind and gentle guidance. Thank you to Pat Delainey Sr. for the touching Eulogy. Thank you to Reverend Cannon Donald Skinner for officiating. Thank you to Della Bannerman for organizing the lunch. The family would like to give a "special thanks" to Bonnie Morin for all of her extra work. Thank you to all who sent flowers, prayers and cards. A final thank you to our father, Steve Burnard, for a life well lived, well loved and well shared. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
