Ronald William GAWLETZ

Ronald William Gawletz was born in Rosetown, SK on December 28, 1930 and passed away in the Rosetown Health Centre on November 24, 2025. Though dad didn’t quite make it to his 95th birthday, he certainly lived a long and rewarding life.

Dad leaves behind his children, Candyce (Marius) Paul, Kevin (Norma) Gawletz and Kent (Nancy) Gawletz. He will be missed and fondly remembered by his grandchildren Geron Campbell (Rikki), Shayna Paul, Kendra Fuglerud (Kenny), Mike Gawletz (Laura) and Nic Gawletz (Noelle) as well as grandson Ben’s wife Cari. Dad also had 10 great-grandchildren who filled his life with joy every time he saw them or heard stories about their lives and activities. Zayden, Kinsley, Hendrix, Gunnar, Brooks, Jake, Caleb, Jasper, Logan and Cooper were all very special to dad. Dad is also survived by his brother Lyle Gawletz and all of mom’s sisters, Donna Paynter, Jean Barmby (Len), Carol Stewart (Clarence), Linda Bradley, Sandra Hoffman (Neil) and sister-in-law Lorraine Stewart along with many nieces and nephews. Dad was predeceased by his wife of 69 years, Opal, his parents Mike and Sophie Gawletz, his father and mother-in-law Stan and Marguerite Stewart, brothers-in-law Lorne Stewart and Wally Paynter, sister-in-law Joyce Gawletz and beloved grandson Ben Gawletz.

Dad spent his early years growing up and attending elementary school in Rosetown. He moved to the Howard Powell / Marriott area north of Rosetown in 1940 when Papa and Grandma Gawletz built the store/service station 18 miles north of Rosetown. They also farmed the quarter section of land there. He attended Mariott School just west of the store until Grade 8. Then he joined Papa and Grandma helping in the store and with farming. It was here that he formed so many of his lifelong friendships with the people of the Howard Powell area.

In January 1956 dad met a young school teacher, Opal Stewart, from Melfort who was teaching in nearby Cleland School. Their romance grew quickly and by August 15 of 1956 mom and dad were married in Melfort. They started to raise a family quickly as well. Candyce was born in November of 1957, followed by Kevin in September of 1959 and Ronald Kent in April of 1964. The family lived on the farmyard a quarter mile north of the store and a half section of farmland was added 3 miles south on Highway #4. When Papa and grandma sold the store and moved back to town, mom and dad stayed to farm. It was a true mixed farm with cows, pigs, chickens and a horse named Sugar and numerous cats and dogs over the years. Dad found that it was hard to raise a family on such a small farm so he always had to have extra jobs to make ends meet. For 9 years he drove school bus in the Britton district north west of Howard Powell starting in 1958. After that he drove the Cleland district bus route for 6 years, taking the kids to Rosetown where he worked during the school day at Graham Brothers Hardware. After 15 years of driving bus he quit to work full time Monday – Friday at G.L. Conlin and Son as a parts man. Of course that meant all farming was done on evenings and weekends. We all think that is why we are fast eaters today, we didn’t have time to eat, there was farm work to do and not enough hours in the day. Conlin’s closure came near the end of dad’s working years so mom and dad moved to Creston. BC where dad finished off his working days for 5 years before retiring back to Rosetown in 1996.

Dad always knew how to play as well as work. He loved to curl, golf and played hockey in his early years. The sport that he is most remembered for is fastball. Dad started his adult playing days with the Muirland Mustangs in 1953, then with the Kingsland Stubble Jumpers. The team then became the Marriott Blues where he played, then coached until 1977. The Marriott Blues and all those who played there were very special people to him. He was so proud of the team and all that they accomplished locally and provincially over the years. After his playing and coaching days, he took on the thankless task of umpiring fastball for many more years. His other hobby that certainly defined who he was, was his singing. Dad’s beautiful baritone voice came to be very well known in the area. Mrs. Julia Graham and her daughter Mrs. Pinckney recruited and taught dad to sing. He sang at local festivals starting in the 1940’s, with the local Fireside Group starting in early 1955, singing at local events and in town’s all over Saskatchewan. Later he sang at very many weddings and funerals. One of his highlights as a singer came when he took on a lead role as “Curly” in the musical “Oklahoma”. The musical was a major production in Rosetown in 1967. His last major accomplishment as a singer was when Tom Wilson recorded dad’s album “Reminiscence With Ron”. Dad’s COPD made it difficult for him to sing very much or very loud in the last couple of years, but both he and mom listened to his album frequently right up until the last days of their lives. In fact, during his final days in hospital he was listening to his album on his iPad.

Dad was also known as a valuable volunteer in the community. His efforts with the Rosetown Kinsmen Club saw him awarded Kinsmen of the Year for 1971-72. He started volunteering at the Rosetown & District Museum shortly after he returned to retire and live in Rosetown. He stayed on as a volunteer and Board member until 2023. The museum was his pride and joy, his 2nd home in a way. The Board members, volunteers and all of the summer students became very dear friends. He also volunteered with the Rosetown Tourism group and if any group needed a ticket salesman, dad was their go to guy. Dad received many recognitions for his dedicated volunteerism. He was awarded the Wild Goose Recreation Association Volunteer Recognition Award in 2003, was named Rosetown’s Citizen of the Year in 2006 and in 2023 dad was nominated by Rosetown’s Town Council and received a Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal.

Besides all of his notable accomplishments and awards dad will mostly be remembered for the character that he was. He was an icon in the community, everyone knew Ron. He brought joy and happiness into the lives of all who he knew. He would find ways to make people laugh, even at his own expense. We all have stories of dad where we still laugh at something that he said or did, even if it was decades ago. He was a social butterfly, connection and contact with people was so important to him. Even when it was difficult for him to get out or to even see people with his bad eye sight, he still went out and about on his infamous scooter to be with his people. Many people in as poor of physical health as him may have given up years ago, but he was a true fighter. He had things to do and people to see. He had as many young friends as old, age was never a barrier. He loved his town and community, he was so loyal to it and everyone close to him. His dedication to mom for 69 years was as evident in year 69 as it was the day they were married. He stated many times over the past couple of months how much he missed her. He will be missed, but never ever forgotten.

A Celebration of Ron's Life will be held on Saturday, February 7, 2026 at 2:30 p.m. at the Rosetown United Church.

Donations in memory of Ron may be directed to the Rosetown & District Museum.