David Unteriner

David Unteriner, age 71, passed away Saturday, December 2, 2017 at the Cypress Regional Hospital, Swift Current, SK. David James Unteriner was born January 4, 1946 to James & Teressa (Thomas) Unteriner in Moose Jaw, SK. He received his education in Craik, and began working for the Government of Saskatchewan. David married Jane Symunuk on February 17, 1967 in Regina, SK. Together, they raised their daughter, Carolynne.

David wore a few different hats during his 35-year career with the provincial government — the Highways Traffic Board – SGI, Labour Standards, Consumer Protection, and Revenue Enforcement. This also took the family to various parts of the province — they lived in Regina, Yorkton, and Battleford before moving to their acreage south of Swift Current. David was a quiet and soft-spoken man, who dearly loved his family. He carried out his work with honesty and integrity, and has been described by many as a “really good man.”

No matter where David, Jane, and Carolynne lived, it was very important to him that they left an environmental legacy behind. They planted trees in the yards of their homes in Regina and Yorkton, and in Battleford, where they had one and a half acres. Perhaps their most ambitious project was the orchard they planted near Lac Pelletier — they planted over 3,000 trees — where there originally had been no fruit trees. They planted Saskatoon’s, goose berries, several kinds of cherries, four different types of rhubarb — including one that the original homesteaders had planted — and many others.

What was once only home to sparrows, became a sanctuary for a variety of songbirds, grey partridges, and owls. Despite having diabetes and heart issues, David worked very hard and at the end of one season had harvested over 5,000 pounds of berries. The birds weren’t the only ones to share in the bounty, deer also liked to frequent the orchard, which led David to decide it was time to get a dog. A short time later, they would come to have a few more.

Their dogs soon became a passion, and they began breeding Newfoundland dogs. Their pups found homes from coast to coast in Canada and the United States, Norway, the United Kingdom, and South Korea. One of their pups became the first Canadian dog in 25 years to be sent to the UK, as this involves a detailed and approximately year long process to have the proper blood work, vaccinations, and paperwork in place to meet the UK’s strict regulations. Another of their pups participated in the Westminster Dog Show.

Through all the hard work and accomplishments in his personal and professional life, David remained a humble man who loved to go fishing, camping, raise his dogs, work in the orchard, and spend time with his family. His passing so close to Christmas is especially hard, he loved the season and especially enjoyed looking at the Christmas tree lights. Jane was hesitant to put the tree up this year, with David in the hospital, but decided to go ahead and decorate because she knew he would like it. An hour after she had turned on the Christmas tree lights at home, David passed away.

David will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 50 years, Jane Unteriner; his daughter, Carolynne Unteriner (Regina, SK); his brother, Jim (Laura) Unteriner (Edmonton, AB); and by his nieces and nephews. David was a loving husband and father, a friend and mentor to many. He will be dearly missed by those whose lives he touched.

A Private Family Service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation, the Lung Association of Saskatchewan, or the Canadian Diabetes Association would be appreciated by the family. 

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