Gerald passed away peacefully on Wednesday, October 12, 2016 at Hillview Manor, Estevan, SK at the age of 83 years.
Gerald Edward Kolke was born on April 22, 1933 in the Outram area. Gerald moved with his parents to their Midale area farm at an early age, where he took all of his schooling. After graduation Gerald attended STI Moose Jaw to become an autobody mechanic. He worked for Trout Chevrolet in Estevan before eventually making a move to Holmgren Motors which later became Senchuk Ford, where he retired in 1993.
Gerald met his wife Doreen and they married in 1953 and to this union two children were born and raised. This gave Gerald the four greatest joys of all, his grandchildren!
Gerald and Doreen bought their first home on the 200 block of 3rd Street in Estevan which was eventually becoming too small for their growing family so they bought another home at 921 3rd Street. This home was where they would remain until long after Gerald retired.
In 2003 the decision was made to downsize and downsize they did, joining several good friends and making many more at Sussex Arms, part of the Beefeater group. They lived there happily until the need for daily care came in 2015. It was a blessing to both Gerald and Doreen to find a welcoming and caring group at Hillview Manor.
Through the years, Gerald was a stock car racer, a curler, golfer and snowmobile enthusiast. Gerald never hesitated to help family and friends with almost any project. Some of his favourites were the Estevan Fire Department (serving over 40 years) and Estevan Legion (life-member award). Until just recently Gerald and Doreen found time to travel to visit family at least a couple times each year and also went on some memorable vacations (Panama Canal, Alaska, Hawaii, and Australia were their most memorable).
Gerald was predeceased by his wife Doreen; parents, Hank and Ella, brother and sister-in-law Loren and Lorraine Kolke, brother and sister-in-law George and Isabelle Storey, sister-in-law Margaret (Vernon) Perkins and parents-in-law, Frank Storey and Clara (Joe) Debienne. He is survived by his son Ken (Eileen) Kolke and grandchildren, Shari Kolke and Ben Kolke; daughter Shelley (Paul) Carroll and grandchildren, Rob Carroll and Brendan Carroll; brother Marvin (Rose) Kolke, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and other extended family.
The Funeral service for Gerald was held on Monday, October 17, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Hall Funeral Services, Estevan with Sandy Dalziel officiating. Interment took place at Souris Valley Memorial Gardens, Estevan, SK. The lunch reception followed at the Royal Canadian Legion, Estevan.
In memory of Gerald, memorial donations may be made to Royal Canadian Legion - Estevan Branch, 1317—4th Street, Estevan, SK, S4A 0X1.
Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Hall Funeral Services, Estevan.
