LOUIS LEITE November 20, 1920 - June 01, 2012 Louis was born on November 20, 1920 to Lars & Emma Leite in rural Battleford, SK. He attended Red Pheasant School SD2995 and two winters at Luthern Collegiate Bible Institute. As a young teenager he worked on his father's farm doing chores, milking cows, feeding cattle and working the land in seeding time and harvest. He walked many miles behind a team of horses and a set of harrows and took pride in the stooked wheat fields in the fall. His love of the land and of nature stayed with him all his life. On July 10, 1948 he married the local schoolteacher Shirley Norrie. They were blessed with three sons John, David and Stephen, and two daughters Judy and Shirley-Anne. In 1953 they made their home in North Battleford where Louis did maintenance work at Boyds Garage, King Street School and the RCMP. Under the guidance of his good friend, Jacques Leask, he built four houses and became very interested in carpentry work. He also enjoyed gardening, landscaping, hunting, playing cards, square dancing and social dancing. Louis and Shirley travelled extensively through North America abroad to New Zealand, Israel, Russia, ans several countries in Europe. Their favourite destination was Hawaii with its lush vegetation and beautiful birds. He was very committed to the church and served on the Council at Urland and Zion Lutheran Churches. For ten years he acted as treasurer for Battlefords' Refugee Committee. Louis's kids have always enjoyed his quick wit and sense of humour. They were thrilled he kept up his one-liners throughout his hospital stay. When asked to say a word about their grandpa, his grandchildren said "Our Grandpa, along with our Grandma, gave us the greatest gift imaginable, a family filled with love and kindness. His devotion to his family, his grace and his gentle nature, will always be in our memories. Our Grandpa will forever live on through us, and generations to come." Most importantly, he was a gentle, loving, caring husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather who was very proud of his family. In return, he enjoyed their love and respect. When Shirley e-mailed one of the granddaughters to tell her that Grandpa was having tests on his heart, she replied that she didn't really want to hear people doing things to Grandpa's heart because Grandpa's heart is perfect just the way it is. Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife Shirley ; sons: John (Carol), David (Gloria) and Stephen ; daughters: Judy (Michael) Grigg and Shirley-Anne (Brian) Ahearn; grandchildren: Heather Kohlen, Matt Grigg, Leona Faller, Kyla Workman, Brian Ahearn Jr., Kristen Ahearn, Brittney Ahearn, Todd Hrabok and Trent Potratz; great-grandchildren: Amber and Trinity Kohlen, Finley and Reese Faller, Elijah and Shiloh Potratz; brother, Harold (Nonie) Leite; sisters: Doris (William) Neale and Sophia (Jim) Parkinson; numerous nieces, nephews and friends. Predeceased by his parents: Lars and Emma Leite; grandson, Cody Leite; brothers: Alfred, Ulysses, Louis, Henry and Martin; sisters: Ida Gobert and Nora Rayner. Funeral service was conducted in St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, June 09, 2012 with Rev. Nora Borgeson officiating. Thank you, Nora, for that warm and inspiring service. The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to Robert MacKay and staff of the Battlefords Funeral Service for their understanding and compassion in making the arrangements. ____________________________________________________
