Neil Jahnke

Neil Monroe Jahnke, age 70, of Gouldtown, SK passed away on Monday, November 26, 2012, at his ranch NE of Gouldtown. Neil was born on August 15, 1942, in Swift Current, SK to Elmer & Mary Jahnke, the eldest of 5 children. He grew up on the ranch north of Glen Kerr, attending school in Log Valley and in Herbert. He met the love of his life, Marilyn Gall, at the Little Lake while wearing swimming trunks, boots and a cowboy hat…us kids come by our sense of style honestly. They were married on November 1, 1966, in Morse. They lived at the ranch by Glen Kerr until moving to the Big Coulee NE of Gouldtown in 1973, where they raised two children, lived and ranched until Neil’s death. He was always very active in cowboy politics and served as the president of the Canadian Cattleman’s Association, vice chairman of the International Livestock Congress, a member of Canadian Agri-food Marketing Council, Chairman of the Horned Cattle trust fund, Chairman of the Saskatchewan Cattle Marketing Deductions Act, President and founding member of Canada Beef Export Federation, Founding Chairman of the Western Beef Development Center, Chairman of the Beef Information Center, President of the Saskatchewan Livestock Association, Vice president of Canadian Western Agribition, and chairman of the Commercial Cattle Committee, president of the Saskatchewan Stockgrowers Association, Director of the Herbert Stampede Committee. He was also involved in 4H, the local School Board, the Elks and the Lions. He was named Cattleman of the year by SSGA in 1993, received an honorary life membership in the Agricultural Institute of Canada in 1994, received the Saskatchewan Order of Merit in 2001, an honorary life membership with the Saskatchewan Institute of Agrologists in 2004, was inducted into the Saskatchewan Agricultural Hall of Fame in 2005 and received the Honor Scroll from the Saskatchewan Livestock Association in 2010. The Record Stockman named Dad, Canadian Livestock Industry Leader of the year 2006. These boards and the people he met through them were very important to him as was the ranch and his family, especially his grandchildren. Neil was rough, gruff and opinionated, but had an incredibly soft heart and worried about everyone. He loved to argue and it was great if you agreed with him. But, even if you disagreed, if you could back up your beliefs he would accept your right to your own opinion. Convincing him to change his mind was another matter altogether. Neil is survived by his wife, Marilyn; daughter, JJ – grandson, Wyatt; son, Shane (Natasha) – granddaughter, Savannah, grandson Colt; the daughter of his heart, Jill Shapland - her boys, Joshua and Logan; his parents, Elmer & Mary Jahnke; brothers, Don (Linda), Brian (Joanne), Craig (Pat); sister, Mary Anne Montgomery (Doug); as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his mother-in law, Adele O’Brien, 2010; and his grandparents. The Funeral Service was held on Monday, December 3, 2012, at 2:00 pm from the Credit Union Iplex Auditorium, Swift Current, SK with Mark Elford as MC. “One Day At a Time” and “The Old Rugged Cross” were sung by the congregation under the direction of Glenna Switzer. Tributes were shared by Trevor Doerksen, Archie Gannon, Mabel Hamilton, Terry Ostrander and Gord Stephenson and by Savannah (granddaughter) reading a poem. Special music was brought for the recessional by Glenna Switzer singing, “One More Day”. The ushers for the service were Murray Giesbrecht, Wayne Leisle, Rob Stephenson, Blake Steinley and Harry Friesen. Honorary Pallbearers were CCA, SSGA, SLA, Western Beef, CBEF, BIC, International Livestock Conference, 5 Nation, CAFTA, Herbert Stampede, Friends & Neighbors. Interment of Cremains will take place at a later date. In memory of Neil Jahnke, donations made to the Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association or to the Salvation Army would be appreciated by the family.

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