It is with profound sadness that the family of Rene (Kenny) Gagne announce his passing on Tuesday, November 19, 2014 at River Heights Lodge, North Battleford, Sk with family at his side. ÌýMass of Christian burial was held Tuesday, 11 a.m., November 25, from St. Vital's Roman Catholic Church, Battleford, with Reverend Father Greg Elder officiating. Left to cherish Rene's memory are his children Linda (Gary) Rose, Roger (Susan) Gagne and their children: Amanda (Trevor) Buchko and their sons Taggert and Tye; Adam (Ashley) Lesmeister and their children Rhett, Ali and Dane; Tamara Lesmeister and her children Tayler and Austin. Sister-in-law Kathy Gagne; numerous nieces and nephews. Rene was predeceased by his wife Olive; parents Arthur and Josephine Gagne; father and mother-in-law Charles and Ethel Isaacs; siblings: Louis, John, Michael, 2 babies, Alphonse (Victoria), Joseph (Lydia) Victoria (Albert) Chauvet, Marie (Ron) Rendle, Theresa (Steve) Kayfish, Louise (Joseph) Kayfish, Cecile (Irvin) Billar, Clara (Harold) Mitchell, Delvina (Max) Corpe. Sisters-in-law: Yvonne Gagne and Winnifred Isaacs; Brothers-in-law: Maurice and Charles Isaacs. Rene George (Kenny) Gagne was born February 1, 1929 just east of the Village of Jackfish. In 1930 the Gagne family moved from Jackfish to the St. Michael's area just north of the now Resort Village of Aquadeo, where Rene received his education at St. Michael's School. In 1936 the family moved once again, to just north of Cochin, on a road allowance where the Battlefords' Provincial Park is today. In 1946 the family moved to North Battleford. Rene grew up in a home where his father and siblings all played guitar, fiddle, banjo and piano. It was a time long before technology included television, telephone, and even electricity, so the sole entertainment was music, singing and dancing. Rene played guitar, sang and yodelled. For quite a number of years, he played in a band with Hap Boyer. ÌýRene loved music. He loved to play it, sing and dance to it. Rene's first job was at the Gold Leaf Café in North Battleford as a dishwasher. It was while working at the Gold Leaf Café that he met a young waitress who worked at the Dominion Café. In 1947, Rene gave up his dishwashing career and began working at Sterling Distributors & Millworks where they made wooden doors and windows as a Sash & Door Man. It was three years later, on July 16, 1949, Rene married that young waitress, Olive Isaacs. They purchased a tiny house on Gagne Avenue. On January 23, 1955, their daughter Linda was born and on March 7, 1963 they were blessed with their son, Roger. In 1966 Rene took a second job at Turner Warwick Printers in North Battleford as janitor. It was during this time that he was given the opportunity to run the Heidelburg Printing Press, so Rene quit his job at Sterling Distributors & Millworks after twenty one years. He was employed with Turner Warwick Printers as a printing press operator from 1968 to 1994 when he retired after 26 years. In July of 2006, Rene lost the love of his life….Olive passed away after a brief battle with cancer. Rene was a humble and dedicated man who loved life, and he had the ability to make friends out of strangers simply by talking to anyone, about anything. He will be greatly missed. Memorial Donations may be made in Rene's name directly to: Sask. Heart & Stroke Foundation, 279-3rd Ave N. Saskatoon, Sk. S7K 2H8 Canadian Cancer Society, 101-440 2nd Ave N. Saskatoon, Sk. S7K 2C3 River Heights Lodge Auxiliary, 2001-99th St. North Battleford, Sk. S9A 0S3Ìý
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Card of Thanks:
Rene's family would like to thank Dr. Morton, and especially all the staff at River Heights Lodge for their compassionate care and friendship. A very special "Thank You" to Father Greg Elder for being there in our time of need and making the Funeral Mass so very personal; Jaki Esquirol and Aime Gagne for the music ministry; St. Vital's CWL for preparing and serving lunch; Milbanke Flowers for creating an amazing arrangement; and Eternal Memories Funeral Service & Crematorium for their compassion and attention to details at this most difficult time. Thank you to all those who brought food, sent flowers, and for the telephone calls and visits, we thank you for your support.
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