Lewis Robert Theodore LAFAYETTE

Lewis Robert Theodore Lafayette passed away peacefully on December 12, 2024 at the Rose Villa Care Home in Rosetown SK at the age of 92 years young.

Lewis’s grandfather and members of his family settled near Fiske in 1913 and lived on five farmyards as neighbors. 110 years later, the LaFayettes’ still own some of the land. The family set up a 22-man thrashing outfit which served the community and was also instrumental in setting up the Oskaloosa School named after a town in Iowa where they had migrated from. A visiting minister used the Oskaloosa School for church services on Sundays and this is how the LaFayette family came to love the Lord.

Lewis was the first born of eight children to Carl and Rose LaFayette. He was delivered by his aunt, a midwife, on the family farm. Lewis learned how to work hard at a young age and got a grade eight education. Times were different then, as they rode horse and sleigh over seven miles to attend school in Anglia.     

 As a young man he ventured out to find employment off the farm. This took him up to Athabasca, Alberta where a pipeline company was looking for help. He found out that his employer had a young daughter who caught his eye. Lewis and Hazel started dating and were married in 1952. They settled on the family farm in the Fiske area. There they were blessed with three children Alan, Terry, and Katherine. Unfortunately, in 1975 Hazel was diagnosed with cancer and passed away 4 years later. Sadly, both of Lewis’s sons predeceased him in 2015 (Terry) and 2018 (Alan).

In 1987, Lewis married Charline McOuat of Calgary and they continued farming at Fiske for an additional 35 years. Farming was part of Lewis’s heart and soul. He spent many hours grain farming and with his cattle. We are quite certain that Lewis always made sure he had at least six cows so that he had an excuse not to be away from home too long!

In 2005, a fire in their house forced them to move to Rosetown where they lived for 19 years, but Lewis continued to drive to the farm daily to check on his cows and continue with his grain farming. His favorite part of farming was the harvest season. He eventually retired at 90 years young! Lewis and Charline relocated to their present home in May of 2024 to the Oasis condos in Rosetown.

Lewis was very involved within the community and was always willing to lend a hand to whomever needed it, from hauling water to ploughing snow. He never spoke an unkind word about anyone. You would often hear him say, “How are you young fellows doing?” while greeting his friends.  

Lewis was a very religious man and loved his Lord. He was always involved with the church from being an usher, a Sunday school teacher and an elder. He will always be remembered for his big smile and his firm, enthusiastic and welcoming handshake.

 When not farming, Lewis loved to spend time with his friends and family visiting and playing cards. He was also a regular bowler in the Senior’s league and even won bowler of the month for his high score!  He especially enjoyed the very large LaFayette family reunions.

He is survived by his loving wife Charline of 37 years, his daughter Katherine of Regina, his step children, Darrell (Brenda) McOuat of Calgary, Garry (Marlene) McOuat of Red Deer, Duane (Cyndie) McOuat of Chestermere and Laurie (Garth) Richardson of Calgary, his brothers Arnold of Regina, David (Nuala) of Toronto, his sisters Vera, Isabelle, Carol and Shirley all of Regina. Lewis is lovingly remembered by his 11 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Lewis was predeceased by his parents Carl and Rose, his first wife Hazel, two sons Alan and Terry, his brother Eddie, his brothers-in-law Lem and Rick and sister-in-law Claire.

The family would also like to thank all those who helped and supported Lewis during this past year. Your compassion and care extended to Lewis was exceptional and truly appreciated. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in his memory to the Alex Ositis Foundation, P.O. Box 1251, Rosetown, SK, S0L 2V0.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Tuesday, December 17, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. at the Rosetown Alliance Church.