FONDA ; Allan, born on October 6th, 1922 in Denholme, SK, passed away at the age of 89, in North Battleford, SK. At an early age, Allan was known for his natural mechanical ability, hired by Mr. Harrison, who owned the International Harvester company in Medstead, Allan eventually bought this business. In 1960, Allan bought Alec Nelson's road construction company. This was the beginning of a long, successful and satisfying career. After building 243 miles of road, Allan finally retired at the age of 84. The months of July and August were special to Allan because his family would come and live with him on the construction site; he often took his kids for a ride on the grader. Fonda Construction replaced the old International Harvester shop with a new shop. The coffee room, nicknamed "The Emporium", hosted many impromptu sittings and a number of world problems were solved. Allan always said that you should love your work - he certainly did; it kept him young and vital. Allan had a lengthy list of talents and interests that he was known and loved for: a talented guitar player, photography, fishing, ice-fishing, playing hockey and ball. Allan was known to cut down small poplar trees to make bats, and then spending hours playing ball with his kids. Allan was known for his excellent homemade wine, and was said to have a nose like a black bear, who could sniff out blueberry patches. He would pick up to 100 pounds of wild blueberries and other berries and fruit, to use in the making of his wine. He kept meticulous notes and enjoyed thinking up witty names for his wine: Porch Climber, Rippin' and Kickin', Alpha's Pick, Forest Blue, Prairie Pride, Field of Dreams, Northern Comfort, Bingo, Rose, etc. Other interests included; his vast coin collection, rocks excavated in the process of road building that he identified as possible meteors, his round rock collection, keeping track of the weather, making oversized thermometers, (one of which hangs in the Medstead bar) and going to the "office" for a "quick one". "Living off the land" was important: planting a large garden, hunting and picking berries were annual events. Allan was also known for punctuating his comments with a forceful nudge with his elbow. Allan was a tough man; his favorite comment during his final years, when contemplating his health, was: "I don't have an ache or a pain." He is lovingly remembered by: His children: Julie (Gordon) Hagen of Medstead, SK and children: Jeremy and Kristen; Lauren Fonda of Saudi Arabia; Paul (Cheryle) Fonda of Red Deer, AB and children: Cory, Deidre & Kaleb; Kelly (Amy), Emily, Elizabeth & Ashton; Reagan (Todd) Bowors, Ethan, Jayden & Isaac; Roger Fonda of Turner Valley, AB, his brother, Luther (Joyce) Fonda, his sister, Alpha Schmirler and numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives. He is predeceased by: his wife, Beatrice in 1983, his parents, Arthur and Mildred Fonda, his brother, Everett Fonda, his siblings in-law, Shirley Fonda, George Schmirler, his nephews, Jimmy and Sheldon Fonda. His funeral service was held Wednesday, May 9th, 2012 at 2:00 pm from the Community Hall in Medstead, SK. A private family interment followed the service in the Medstead Lutheran Cemetery. Memorial Donations in Allan's memory may be made to the Canadian Lung Association. Email condolences to will be forwarded to the family. Ed Beaulac of Beau"Lac" Funeral Home was entrusted with arrangements. ____________________________________________________
