George William Scherger

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, George Scherger, at 86 years of age. His spirit passed peacefully and gracefully into heaven on the afternoon of Tuesday, December 29, 2020 at the Prairie Health Care Centre in Cabri, SK.

George is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 59 years, Nellie; three sons, Brad (Kathy), Dan (Wendy), and Cam (Juanita); eight grandchildren, Alexander, Cynthia, Michael, Josh, Matthew, Jenna, Becki (Tate), and Kelsey (Luke); and six great-grandchildren, Hailey, Kylie, Lennix, Mackenzie, Paisley, and Brantley. He also leaves to mourn three sisters-in-law, one brother-in-law, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

George was predeceased by his parents, Louie & Mary Scherger; parents-in-law, Alex a& Olga Holstein; and his nine siblings, Barbara (Hilsendeger), Odelia, Andrew, Peter, Phillip, Joseph, John, Eleanor (Trautwein), and Frank.

George William Scherger was born April 25, 1934 on the family farm, six miles northwest of Lancer, SK. He attended Lancelot School until the end of grade six, and Lancer School for grades seven through nine.  In 1953, George rented land from his dad and began his farming career. For two months in the winters of 1955 and 1957, he attended the Reserve Army at Fort Osborne Barracks in Winnipeg, MB.

George met his beautiful future wife, Nellie (nee Holstein), in 1958 in Medicine Hat. They married in 1961 and soon after began to raise their family. George loved being a farmer and lived both in the town of Lancer and at the farm throughout his life until moving to the Prairie Health Care Centre in Cabri in December 2014.

George was a very talented musician and played the violin, guitar, and button accordion. He played with the Harvest States Accordion Club in Minot, North Dakota for seventeen consecutive years as well as competing at Accordion Championships in Kimberley, B.C. for thirteen of those years. George & Nellie also attended many parties, dances, variety programs, and polka festivals.

Not only was George gifted musically, he was also creative with welding and carpentry and could fabricate or build just about anything. This was demonstrated in many ways, including cattle racks he built for ranchers, the parts he created and/or modified for himself on the farm, and the beautiful home he built in Lancer. One summer, George also bought a scraper which he used to work on various earth-moving projects over the next several years.

George loved the outdoors and particularly enjoyed hunting, snowmobiling, and fishing. He also enjoyed playing card games such as Canasta, Crib, Whist, and Rooky, and loved his Word Search puzzles. George obtained his pilot license and was a member of the Saskatchewan Flying Farmers. He also served on the Lancer Town Council for eight years and was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion where, in 2019, he received a thirty-five-year recognition pin.

Above all else, his family was very important to George and he really treasured the time he spent with all of them.

The family wishes to thank the many health care professionals and staff at the Prairie Health Care Centre in Cabri who provided exceptional and compassionate care for our husband and father over the past six years.

Due to COVID restrictions, a small private family service will be held with interment at the Lancer Cemetery, and a Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in memory of George Scherger to the Prairie Health Care Centre c/o Cabri Hospital Auxiliary, Box 79, 517 1st Street North, Cabri SK, S0N 0J0, or to the Alzheimer Society of Saskatchewan (Please designate for Dementia), 301-2550-12th Avenue, Regina SK, S4P 3X1 (or online at www.alzheimer.ca)

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