Obituary of Ray Boreen

BOREEN - Mr. Ray Boreen, beloved husband of Esther, passed away on Sunday, November 9, 2008 at the Neepawa Health Centre. He was 85 years of age. Ray was born on February 24, 1923 to Alvin and Esther (Dahl) Boreen at Churchbridge, Sk. He was the sixth of 13 children. He was baptized (Aug. 12, 1923 God Parents Mr. & Mrs. August Jansen) and later confirmed (Aug. 23, 1936) into the Christian faith at the First English Lutheran Church, in Churchbridge. He attended school in Churchbridge until grade 8 when he quit to help out on the family farm. He later went to work as a mechanic for Fred Dressler in his garage and continued to help his dad and other family members with the harvests. On October 4, 1949 he married Esther Caul. They were blessed with 3 children, Barry, Pat and Judy. In 1953 they purchased their own farm west of Churchbridge. Initially Ray worked solely at farming but as the family grew he had to supplement the farming income by working at the Churchbridge Co-op driving the fuel truck and for a short time as a mechanic for Joe Bot. Ray and Esther retired from the farm in 1982, making their home in Churchbridge. Ray had been very involved in any organizations his children were in - the 4-H clubs at community and regional levels, Boy Scouts, Air Cadets and coaching the baseball teams. Besides being involved with his children he was a very active member in his community. He gave of his time and talents so willingly, wanting nothing in return but a "Thank you". He was a long time member of the Churchbridge Curling Club; the Churchbridge chapter of the Lions club; he spent 15 years serving on the Saskatchewan Housing Authority, Churchbridge branch and was a trustee for the Trinity Lutheran church where he also sang tenor in the church choir for years. In his retirement years he took up woodworking and I am sure every member of the family has something he made, either stools, paper towel holders, "Old Crows", cedar chests or "tickle trunks" and many more things, a far cry from a milk stool or pig trough that he constructed prior to retiring. He was also able to enjoy a number of holidays and trips with Esther and their good friends Lillian and Gerhardt Hintz. A real highlight of his life were his grandchildren - Tammy, Jennifer, Heather, Aaron, Todd and Colby. Whenever they could they made sure that they could attend their Christmas concerts, music festivals, graduations, weddings, etc. Due to failing health he was not able to take an active part in the great grandchildren's lives - Cayle and Cody Brenner, Will Russill, Lily Johnston and Calla and Quinn Boreen. In 2006, Ray and Esther moved to Neepawa, MB, to be closer to their daughter Judy, who could assist with their health related problems and help meet some personal needs allowing both of them to remain in their own home to the end. Neepawa was never home to Ray though, his heart was still in Churchbridge. After Ray became ill in his 81st year, he became very frustrated because his activity level decreased and he was no longer able to assist others and he had difficulty in accepting help from those who wanted to give something back to him, he always wanted to pay them. Right to the end, when he was too weak to speak, he would still whisper " Thank you" and "Don't worry about me". Ray was predeceased by his parents Alvin and Esther Boreen, Brothers Virgil (Bud), Dale, Curtis, Donald, Hugo and LeRoy (Pun), Mother and Father- in- Law Edith and Wilfred Caul, Brother- in- law Stanley Caul and many in-laws. He leaves to mourn his wife of 59 years Esther, their sons and families: Barry and Bev Boreen of Melfort, SK., Jennifer, Scott and Will Russill, and Aaron Boreen all of Edmonton, AB; Pat Boreen of Nanaimo, BC, Tammy, Nolan, Cayle and Cody Brenner, Heather, Jay and Lily Johnston, Todd, Tamara, Calla and Quinn Boreen all of Regina, SK; and their daughter and her family Judy, Darrell and Colby Gabler of Neepawa, MB; sisters Doris Putland, Ila Martin, Eva and Edgar Kaeding, Betty Bjarnason and Iris and Ewald Itterman all of Churchbridge and brother Scott and Alva Boreen of Esterhazy, Sk., and sister-in-laws Merle Rathgeber of Lethbridge, AB, Anita Boreen and Joyce Boreen both of Churchbridge and numerous nieces and nephews and many good friends. The funeral service was held on Saturday, November 15, 2008 from Trinity Lutheran Church in Churchbridge. Rev. Kyung-Hyun Kim of Trinity Lutheran, and Rev. Ken Edel of Christ Lutheran, Neepawa officiated. Son Pat Boreen gave the eulogy. Organist, Alice Johnson led the congregation in the singing of the hymns 'In the Garden', 'I Know Who Holds Tomorrow', and 'How Great Thou Art'. Special music was offered by Free Spirit, singing 'What A Day it Will Be', and 'I Won't Have to Cross Jordan Alone.' The interment took place in the Garden of St. Matthew at Yorkton Memorial Gardens with Aaron & Todd Boreen, Colby Gabler, Nolan Brenner, Scott Russill, and Jay Johnston seving as the casketbearers. Arrangements were entrusted to Bailey's Funeral Home. Service Information Saturday, November 15th, 2008 1:00pm, Trinity Lutheran Church Interment Details Yorkton Memorial Gardens