The Canadian Charolais Association Honor Roll 1999 - Recipients
EARLY FAMILY HISTORY: Francie was the first child of seven born to Maltman and Matilda Shaw of Midnapore, Alberta. She grew up on a mixed farm and participated in all aspects from milking cows, cooking for threshing crews, calving the herd of Shorthorn cows, haying and helping in the general day to day operations of a farm and large family. Francie married Harold Newing in 1950; a marriage that ended in tragedy shortly after it began. One night after returning home from dinner and the theatre, they were in an accident and Harold was killed. It was shortly after Harold’s death that Francie had her first encounter with Charolais cattle. Still grieving, she decided to embark on a trip to the United Kingdom and Europe for a change of venue and a chance to see where her grandparents had immigrated from in 1883. On this trip after her research in England, she took a trip through Europe and in France caught her first site of majestic herds of white cattle grazing on emerald fields. Returning from her trip, she began normal life again, working for Dr. Townsend and on the weekends in the winter, participated in curling and skiing. It was during curling at the Red Deer Lake Rink that she met Ev Borgal, the man that she would marry in November of 1958. Ev was a retired schoolteacher who always wanted to be a farmer, and had purchased 640 acres at Priddis, where he ran a herd of 60 horses as well as 30 Hereford cows, with limited fencing! Francie came—the horses went, --the cows were culled—fences went up and the slow building of a farm and ranch began. EDUCATION: Francie entered nursing school when she was 19 and graduated from the Calgary General Hospital of Nursing in 1930. Francie went on to become an x-ray technician, working at the Crippled Children’s Hospital, as well as being head nurse for Dr. Quinn and then for Dr. Townsend. HERD PERFORMANCE: Francie secured a young bull that came in from the U.S.A. during the early 1950’s when imports from France were not permitted. Francie purchased Lockie Charolais Beau, and started using him on her commercial herd. Later she went to Texas and imported four Charbra cows, "Pearl, Martha, Emily, and Mable from Keith Metz. Using the bull she had previously acquired, her idea was to breed these cows and hopefully get bulls, which she intended to use on her 200 head commercial operation; as the proof was already there for her that the first bunch of calves out-weighed and out-performed any other crosses, which at the time were all British breed crosses. Francie went along with her idea that these white cattle had a definite place in the Canadian cattle industry. For those who were on the leading edge of the Charolais industry in Canada there was a great deal of resentment from the breeders of the established breeds. But a struggle was right up Francie’s alley, especially when the cattle were proving themselves in every test that they were presented. HERD EXPOSURE: Francie showed her cattle all through Alberta from the time that Charolais started having their own shows, well into the late ‘70’s. She operated under the name of Pridalta Stock Farm. While her herd never garnered a large amount of "championship" ribbons; Francie was always there to promote her breeding and to assist new breeders who needed a helping hand in getting a start in Charolais. When the opportunity presented itself to import cattle from France, Francie’s name was in. She selected a female because she felt most importers were bringing in males. She felt having a female, she would have easier access to breeding from the other imported bulls. Accalmie was the first female to arrive at Pridalta. Bague, another heifer, came in on the second importation. While the day to day operation of Charolais breeding was going on, some of the true believers were working with Ottawa to start a Charolais Herd Book—Francie was one of those believers. After Francie’s death, the herd was dispersed by auction at Highwood and was one of the high grossing sales of that year. Niece Mary Bamford and her husband Bruce were only able to purchase 15 head from the sale, as that was all they could afford. Today, some of those Pridalta females are still functioning in the Bamford herd as 16 and 17 year old females. These females truly attest to the longevity and soundness of Francie’s stock. COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES: Francie made time for family and community. Because of her nursing background, she was always called upon to help people in the community who were convalescing at home, and through her "Westo Group" met regularly to help in the betterment of the community. Turkey dinners at the community hall were always important to Francie, as they were just another way to raise funds to support the community. Francie was so very involved with community activities, that it would be impossible to list them all at this time. Francie loved children, and over the years, took in many children for a year if their parents were having difficulty with them. Each of those children went away with a heightened sell-esteem and sense of community. Francie held a sewing circle for the Indian girls and helped them to integrate into white society at a time when Aboriginal women seldom left their reserve. The Indians truly loved Francie and were often in her home and loved to stop in for a visit with her. During one World Federation held in Calgary, Francie had the Indians participate in various dances that truly impressed the visitors from around the world. The Natives could not do enough for Francie—all she had to do was to ask. In her later years, Francie took on the task of writing a book about her pioneer family, starting with hr grandparents who came to Midnapore in September 1883. CHAROLAIS PARTICIPATION: Francie’s signature is the witnessing signature on the Incorporation documents that incorporated the Alberta Charolais Association under the Societies Act of Alberta. - Francie served as Secretary of the A.C.A. from 1967 to 1970. - Francie served as 1st V.P. for 1971 and 1972. - Francie served as President for 1973,1974, 1975 and was the first woman president of a breed association in Alberta. She served as past president for 1976 and 1977. - Francie’s signature shows up on the member’s list at a formation meeting in 1965 of the North Central Charolais Association that later became the Alberta Charolais Association. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Farming and ranching were very time consuming for Francie, but she always made time for family. Her niece, Mary Bamford relates learning something every day from Francie. She was an accomplished horsewoman; she loved gardening, both vegetables and flowers. She propagated a lot of wild flowers into her own flowerbeds where they flourished. While walking through the pastures checking the cows in the summer she would tell Mary the names of the flora and fauna and explain the habits of the different animals they saw. She was a conservationist, long before it became popular. She was as concerned with not using too much water to wash the dishes as she was with the protection and preservation of the land. When the Canadian Charolais Association building was built, Francie personally made sure that there where flowers planted at the front and in the spring would be out there with her shirt sleeves rolled up, weeding, watering and trimming. Francie died in a house fire in March 1982. She was a varied and diverse person. Through her life she did many different things, and did them well. Depending at what time in her life you met her, you would have a very different idea of what she did, but through it all, that dynamic personality never turned away from a fight and she cherished every moment she was alive. She always had time to delight in her surroundings. Francie would not automatically like you. You had to show her that you deserved her respect, but if you made muster, you had a friend for life. We feel that the Honor Roll Committee for the Canadian Charolais Association could not choose a better candidate who amplifies the strength of character of the people who represent the breeders involved with the Charolais breed than Frances Borgal. |
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While preparing these comments I took the opportunity to review the Manitoba Charolais history book where I learned a great deal about this pioneer and steward of our breed. However, one paragraph stood out which spoke volumes…"Clare gives full credit to his family, (five children) and wife Dorothy for their success." This reminds me of an old Chinese proverb, "Behind an able man there are always other able men." Clare has received numerous awards and recognition for his contribution to agriculture and Charolais in recent years. In no way am I able to do justice this evening with the short time I have in recounting his life events, especially to those of you who know him well. Allow me to provide you with the "highlights" of this individual’s passion for our industry. Clare and his wife Dorothy make up the third generation of Gedde’s to farm in the Goudney School District west of Pilot Mound, Manitoba. After 5 years of service in the RCAF, Clare, like one of our other honorees this evening, began his cattle days with establishment of a registered Hereford herd in 1946. He first stared breeding Charolais in 1958. Mr. Munroe caught on in 2 years, while Clare needed to breed Herefords a little longer…. In 1958 with herd sire, "Hercules MC 18", 10 percentage females and 3 percentage bulls the first breeding Charolais herd in Manitoba was established. HISTORY BOOK This was only the beginning of a long list of , "firsts", accomplishments and activities within the Charolais breed. His son Eric showed the first 4-H Registered Charolais Heifer at the Brandon Exhibition. Char-O-Clare was the first Charolais Herd in Canada entered on the Federal ROP program. The Charolais tested (24 calves) made spectacular results – the bottom third generally equaling or excelling the top third of the other beef breeds – as reported in the 25th Anniversary edition of the Canadian Cattleman – June 1963. Clare was at the founding meeting of the Canadian Charolais Association in 1959 and was a director beginning in the year of incorporation (1960) and served until 1974 including role of President from 1964-66. Earlier I mentioned, "many firsts". This holds true for not only the cattle part of our business but also the administration. Besides being a founding director of the CCA he was also a charter member to FIAERBC or as we now it as Charolais International. During his term as President of the CCA, Clare "with the help of the many good men", negotiated the import of French Charolais from Europe to Canada. Permits were issued to CCA members for 120 head which were in Gross Isle Quarantine Station, in the fall of 1965. Last night I was informed he was one of the permit holders and "the Hunt boys", you remember the silver tongues, offered $40,000 for his permit and he declined. Over the years he has attended many of the world Charolais events including France, Argentina, Brazil, Spain, United States, Scotland, etc. After one of these special events in Argentina he and JR thought it would be fitting for Canada to host the next World event in 1967. July 5, 6 and & 7, 1967 will go down in Charolais history books as one of the greatest events to take place as delegates from nine countries gathered in Calgary. The World Show and Sale of French Charolais was held with great excitement and record breaking prices experienced. The top sire brought $62,000. Oh, yes, back to another first. In 1982 Clare received a letter from the CCA stating that Char-O-Clare was the first herd to be registering animals long enough for it to come full circle with respect to year letters. The first was out of female 6N, a United States import, calved RMC 12 Golden of Charo-O-Clare. Char-O-Clare has been active in promotion and hosting of field days, picnics, and organizing the Manitoba Charolais Association in 1969. In February 1971, as President of MCA, Clare convened the CCA Annual meeting in Winnipeg. With the help of "many great men", the first ever Ballroom Sale of French Charolais took place under the glimmer of ballroom chandeliers. CBC did a 20-minute file which was shown across Canada. In the summer of 1983 Clare was honored as "Mr. Manitoba Farmer." This was in recognition of his contribution to the cattle industry in Manitoba. In addition to his many Charolais activities Clare has been:
Dale Kelly, CCA General Manager |
| Canadian Charolais Honor Roll Inductee |
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Bob Munroe, the man, husband, father and friend came into this world….well awhile ago. Born in Winnipeg he continues to leave his mark on the world from the foundation of the family farm in Warren. He completed a Diploma in Agriculture in 1951 and dedicated his life to the industry he loves. He has always been active in cattle organizations and has always been a keen believer that producers needed a unified voice to speak on behalf of their concerns and interests. Bob became active in the cattle movement when the Manitoba Stock Growers Association was formed back in 1955. He helped organize a meeting between the Manitoba Stock Growers Association, the Manitoba Cow/Calf Association, the Manitoba Dairy Producers, the feedlot sector and seed stock organizations. Bob was concerned that a fractured voice for the cattle industry was counter productive. Together those Associations became the Manitoba Beef Growers Association, which then turned its efforts to beef promotion, lobbying and funding of efforts to further the cattle industry interests. The Manitoba Beef Growers Association was able to get a check-off put in place for the cattle industry in 1978 which formed the MCPA when the legislation was put in place to create the check-off and took over from the Manitoba Beef Growers Association. In 1983 the check-off was disallowed to the MCPA. Bob decided to get reinvolved in the cattle associations by becoming a director with MCPA and taking the lead role on mending fences with the government and redeveloping a check-off mechanism for the cattle industry. He felt that MCPA needed to be well funded to adequately represent the interests of its members. Bob finally saw his efforts come to light in 1989 when the check-off legislation was proclaimed. Because of Bob’s dedication and unselfish commitment to the betterment of Manitoba’s cattle industry the Manitoba Cattle Producers Association recognized him with the 1993 Recognition Award. The award is presented to deserving individuals who have committed to furthering the cause of Manitoba cattle producers and improving the provincial cattle industry. When Bob first entered the industry he was a Hereford breeder and in 1965 saw the light. He has been involved with Charolais for more than 30 years. In 1972 he began his Association activities by becoming involved with the Manitoba Charolais Association for a number of years and as well as a National Director for the Canadian Charolais Association from 1974 to 1980. While with the Manitoba Charolais Association he has served as chairman of the export committee, first VP and President. Bob remains an active lifetime member of the CCA. Many individuals have claimed Manitoba as the beef performance program capital of Canada. This could be true. Bob has been very active in the national ROP program and CHARM as well as serving on the National ROP Advisory Board. HISTORY BOOK He has shown Charolais cattle at a number of venues including the Red River Exhibition, Stonewall Fair, and Ag Ex in Brandon. Outside of the cattle industry Bob continues to contribute to fulfilling a life of experience. He obtained his Private Pilot’s license in 1960 and soon after became a member of the flying farmers. He is member of the Warren United Church and has served as Chair of the Warren-Rosser Pastoral Charge, Master of the Stonewall Masonic Lodge and member of the Schootish Rite. Dr. Martin Luther King once stated, "The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. Whether it was Bob’s energy in his battles against supply management from taking a foothold in the beef cattle industry in the sixties and again in the 1970’s with the freedom campaign. Or his stand on the Charolais memberships drive to total herd reporting in 1997 or the small portion of his life I was able to communicate this evening, you know the measure of this man. Bob and "his secretary" are now official ambassadors for the Manitoba Charolais Association and make their way from agriculture event to agriculture event promoting the interests of the great white breed. In 1999, together with their three children, James, Ian and Peggy they will celebrate 39 years of friendship, family and marital union. Please give a warm welcome to Mr. Bob Munroe. |
| Canadian Charolais Honor Roll Inductee |
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Where do I begin to tell the story and history of John Rudiger? John is a Saskatchewan boy – a boy who turned the grain farm that his father homesteaded into a commercial cow operation. In 1958 John made the unheard move of selling 50 commercial cows to pay for one half interest in eight Charolais heifers and a bull, which he purchased from the Michaelis Ranch at Kyle, Texas. I can quote a list of impressive statistics about John and his cattle. He is a lifetime member of the CCA (#3 to sign up); he was elected as director at the first CCA annual meeting, and served as a director from 1960 to 1969. He has been a member of the Breed Improvement Committee from 1960 to 1997; was elected to the CCA board of directors again in 1994 and is still serving. John has represented Canada at Federation meetings in Argentina in 1965 and Mexico in 1966. Together with Tom Eggertson he co-chaired the first World Charolais Show and Sale in Canada at Calgary in 1967. In 1959 he became a lifetime member of the American Charolais Association and is a founding member and director of the Mexican Herd Book. In 1961 he became a member of the North Central Alberta Charolais Association, which later became the Alberta Charolais Association. From 1963 to 1965 John was the president of the first provincial association in Canada – the Saskatchewan Charolais Association and further served as its secretary/treasurer from 1965 to 1968. John’s herd performance records are no less impressive. Performance and progeny testing have been the backbone of the Rudiger herd. John enrolled a bull at the first Charolais test station at Rod Jame’s at Lacombe in the early 1960’s. In 1964 he enrolled his herd on the Canadian Record of Performance and remained on this federal/provincial program until CHARM was started and his herd has been on CHARM ever since. In 1968 John helped to set up the C-C sire evaluation program and enrolled two bulls on the first program and has had bulls on most of the programs that followed. All of John’s main herd sires have been enrolled on the C-C program. His bulls have garnered three Banner Bull Awards. The top gaining steers at the test in Saskatoon and Stanford, Montana were sired by Cadet Roussel. His entire bull calf crop has been on test at Cattleland every year since 1982. As far back as 1968, at Maple Creek, Sask., John held the first Charolais bull sale in Canada - in 1998 John held his 30th annual bull sale. John’s show exposure and winnings are far too numerous to list. He has shown cattle across Canada and the U.S.A. from Vancouver PNE to the Toronto Royal and from Kansas City to Mexico. His bull Santa Claus was Grand Champion at the first Charolais show held in Canada at Buffalo Lake, Alberta. In 1968 and 1969, John’s Cadet Roussel bull was judged Reserve Champion Bull at Calgary’s World Show. In 1974 a ½ interest in Cadet Roussel sold to Van’s Enterprises for $81,000 at the World Sale in Calgary. That same year John bought a Cadet cow and her calf for $102,500 from Gladmere Farms. The cow and calf later went on to be Agribition Champion, while the Cadet yearling heifer went on to be Grand Champion at the Toronto Royal. On 1983 Rudiger Charolais Ranches along with other shareholders purchased the one million-acre Gang Ranch. John was president and general manager for five years at which time he sold out his interest to one of the other shareholders. He changed the entire bull battery of 175 bulls to Charolais. John commissioned famed Alberta artist Malcolm McKenzie to make a limited edition bronze of Cadet Roussel. He presented one bronze to the Alberta Charolais to serve as a revolving trophy for "Get of Sire" at the World Charolais show in Calgary and also presented one to the A.I.C.A. for their national show winner. While John’s record is impressive, it is said behind every man is a woman working her heart out. This is true of Rowana Rudiger. Rowana is the life of the Rudiger Ranch office - she is and has been a tireless worker for Charolais supporting silent auctions for the juniors, serving on Charolais committees too numerous to mention. She is a gracious hostess and when the need arises is a determined negotiator and administrator. At the 1986 Federation, Rowana had arranged to have local natives entertain the crowd. When their performance was completed they demanded payment – Rowana informed them very clearly that their payment would be forthcoming when all the other invoices were paid and that they should accept that as fact and get on with their evening. There was no further discussion that evening about early payment. When Rowana isn’t dedicating her time to John and the Charolais activities surrounding their ranch, she finds solace and pleasure in working with and riding her Arabian horses, which she and John have been breeding since 1983. John’s children Cal, Kirk and Grace have all been involved over the years with Charolais, and today in their adult life are never very far removed from the Charolais world. John’s Lazy JR brand is known throughout the country, not only by Charolais breeders, but also by people in other breeds and vocations in the agriculture world. Twenty years ago, when John was dispersing some of his Charolais herd, Ted Pritchett, then editor of the Canadian Livestock Journal said that "John Rudiger wasn’t part of history – he made history. He didn’t dream of doing – he did it. John wasn’t part of Charolais – he was Charolais". These words are still true of John today. John maintains a herd of 25 purebred Charolais cattle, having dispersed most of his herd a year previously because of health concerns. John is a very active with many business ventures; however, his first love (besides Rowana) is and always will be Charolais. What he has done for Charolais and what he has given to the breed in Canada will continue for generations. December 11, 1998 Written by Hazel George |
| Canadian Charolais Honor Roll Inductee |
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Merle Sparrow was born in Saskatoon, the 5th of 7 sons. His parents farmed and had a mail route. In 1928 they moved to a farm at Vanscoy, the NW ¼ of 28-34-7, on which Merle still holds title today. It was the 1930’s – walking, driving or riding to school, carrying wood and doing chores morning and night were part of growing up. Merle began farming with his mother after graduating from grade 12 in 1941 – his older brothers had joined the airforce. He seeded his first crop in 1942, raised hogs for Britain, milked cows and grew wheat, oats and barley. Barbara was born in Zealandia and very familiar with farm life. After completing high school, she attained her teaching certificate. It was her teaching career that brought her to the Minnesota School where she met this young farmer. In 1949 Merle and Barbara were married and started farming on their own on the family farm. Barbara continued teaching until the birth of their first child and worked as a substitute teacher while the children were growing up. Their early farming activities included a small herd of milk cows and a few beef cows, always using good quality beef bulls. Life is an ongoing education and Merle has been involved in farming during a time of very dramatic changes – the beef industry and the introduction of the "exotic" breeds being a good example. In 1963, they purchased their first Charolais bull and some purebred cows with Merle’s brother. By using the original commercial cows in an upgrading program and the use of AI, they build up a sizable herd over the next few years. They also imported cattle from France form 1966 – 1974, when the partnership between the brothers ended and each had his own herd. Merle fed about 100 steers a year from 1961 to 1986. They have held their Charolais production sale every year for the past 29 years. During the late 60’s and 70’s, they showed at some of the major shows as Sparvan Charolais, winning Reserve Carcass Champion at the Toronto royal and at Agribition. Due to time and help, Sparvan continued showing, but began to concentrate on local shows. They’ve shown breeding stock, prospect calves, 4-H calves and carcass steers with the family at Agribition, Saskatoon and Lloydminster. Strong proponents of performance, their herd was enrolled on the ROP program for many years and then onto CHARM. Very active in the community, Merle was instrumental in forming the Vanscoy 4-H beef club in 1954 – a club that became very successful and grew into a multiple club with 97 members. He was chairman of the Wheat pool committee in 1961 when the Vanscoy feeding coop was born – a very successful venture that had a great impact on the cattle industry in that area. Other community involvement included the Ag Committee of the RM of Vanscoy and Director of the Vanscoy telephone company, President of the Vanscoy Community Club, served on the United Church Board of Stewards and was Sunday School Superintendent for 2 years. Merle was elected President of the Senior Citizens club and still holds this position. From 1971 to 1985, Merle sat on the Saskatoon Exhibition Beef Committee. Merle has practiced soil conversation in earnest since 1964 by continuous cropping, soil testing, using the necessary amounts of fertilizer and spreading the residue of the feedlots on the soil. The farm has been used on numerous occasions for test or pilot projects by researchers. Always one to get involved and contribute to the business he was in, Merle was elected to the SCA Board in 1966 where he served until 1976, being President from 74 – 76. He returned to the SCA Board in 1989 for a 3 year term, during which time he sat on the 4-H, the SCA Bull sale and the Ad & promo Committees. On impulse, Merle sat in on a meeting of the Cattle Breeders Assoc at the Sask Livestock Convention in Saskatoon in 1971. Some prominent breeders suggested an intriguing idea to promote an international level livestock show in Western Canada. He was invited to attend the first meeting in Regina on behalf of the SCA. The meeting was called the Fall Show Committee Meeting. The projected Fall Show was later to be called the Canadian Western Agribition. At the first official meeting, Merle was elected to the Agribition Board of Directors. He was elected to the CCA Board in 1978 for two 3-year terms during which time he chaired the membership committee and was instrumental in the beginnings of a breeders manual and member education meeting. He traveled a lot of miles and spent a lot of days and nights promoting Charolais to the commercial industry and allowing breeders access to information on association programs and policies. Barbara has always been very active in the United Church, serving on the Board for many years, a member of the Women’s group where she has held the positions of Pres. Sec and treas on more than one occasion. When the children were small, she was an active member of their community service group. For several years now she has been on the executive for the local senior’s lodge. The Charolettes were a very vital and positive part of Charolais life and Barbara was front and centre as they worked to make everyone welcome and to the feel a part of the Charolais family. In 1991 Merle was awarded the Sask Livestock Association Honor Scroll. The thoughts he expressed that day included these ‘ I must give full credit to my wife Barbara who, besides her own community activities, has always assisted in any activity I was involved in and took care of home and family at all times. Also to my children who helped on the farm, at the shows and took their 4-H endeavors and local community affairs seriously. In 1987, son Craig and his wife Marilyn took over the home farm and it continues today in the Sparrow tradition. Merle and Barbara set up a new farmsite just down the road where they continue to raise their much loved Charolais. Both Merle and Barbara enjoy and appreciate the rural way of life – a love of growing things, a good team of horses, having good neighbors and being good neighbors. Thank you Merle and Barbara for sharing your many talents, your family and your life with Charolais – the beef industry and Charolais will continue to benefit for years to come from your many contributions. Joyce Stewart, Communications Coordinator January 1999 |
Denzil & Wilma Sutton, Rocanville, Sask. If you know polled Charolais, you’re familiar with the name Sutton. For over 30 years, Denzil and Wilma enthusiastically promoted polled Charolais and were known nation wide as having some of the best and deepest polled pedigreed cattle in the business. Born in Ontario, Denzil moved to Sceptre Sk with his parents in 1916. He rode the freights in the 1930’s and worked in Ontario, returning to Sask in 1938. As cattle prices were poor, he purchased a bankrupt butcher shop and processed the family’s cattle through it. Wilma was born at Esterhazy Sk, attended normal school in Regina and married Denzil in 1940. Denzil sold the butcher shop, made a downpayment on a ½ section which he rented to his brother, joined the Cnd Army and served overseas for 4 years. When he returned in 1946, he sold the ½ section and purchased 6 quarters at Rocanville, where he and Wilma raised their three daughters, Deneanne, Reva and Lynne. At this time, they started breeding polled Herefords, placing the herd on the Home performance program in 57. They won various awards with their cattle and exported overseas. They were the first Canadians to export registered Herefords behind the Iron Curtain and the first to Brazil. Eventually their registered cattle were exported to 9 countries around the world. In 1969 they dispersed the Hereford herd due to Denzil’s diabetes and health problems. Their idea was to have just a few Charolais as a hobby to look at out the front window! In the Sutton tradition, the herd grew and continued to win performance awards and to lead the industry pioneering polled Charolais. They were early pioneers in performance testing and supporters of Charm from its inception. The received numerous performance awards in Canada and the US. In 1972, they were nominated to the US Polled Charolais "Roll of Honor" - the only Canadians to ever receive such an award. Although they believed that they cattle should prove themselves on the ROP home testing and at Test stations, they did successfully participate in a number of shows over the years. As founding members of the SE Sk Breeders group, they actively participated as buyers and sellers of top bulls and females. Their females regularly received Gold Star Dam of Distinction awards and in 1985, they took home a banner Bull award for having the top performing bull at the Sask. Livestock CentreTest. Their 20 plus Charolais years saw them prosper and win considerable recognition in the beef industry. One of their proudest moments was in 1985 when their peers in the Sask Charolais membership voted them Breeder of the Year. In 1989, the Sask Livestock Assoc presented them an Honor Scroll in recognition of their contributions to their community and to the livestock industry. Denzil was an avid reader, he liked having fun, pulling jokes on people and having company at the farm. He got a thrill out of showing children something new or organizing an activity for grandchildren or visiting children. He took time to make small pitchforks for the kids and carts for horses. He pulled kids on toboggans behind the stoneboat. He loved his animals – he was known in town for taking his dog Lassie for ice cream. He even built a platform on the fender of his tractor for her to ride with him. Wilma was very musical and artistic. She painted, designed and made sweaters and loved to sew for friends and family. She was an avid birdwatcher, belonging tot he Audubon Society. She loved to share her knowledge with young people. In later years, she enjoyed taking art classes and her talents were recognized as a group of her paintings were selected to tour Sask for the Organization of Sask. Art Shows. She was a Sunday School Teacher, served on the United Church Board, sang in the Choir, played the piano and ukulele at school concerts and at Church. She served as President of the Home and School Association and judged writing at fairs. Wilma was the first woman director of the Sask Charolais Association – she was a woman ahead of her time, and was never afraid to voice her knowledgeable opinion. She would not be swayed from her beliefs. She lived and breathed equality. After Denzil died in 1992, Wilma carried on the Sutton business. She flew to Europe to follow up on their cattle that had been exported. She visited 3 herds in Sweden, 1 in Wales and 3 in England. Besides going to the fields to see the cattle, she spent many intensive hours discussing genetics with European breeders. When the family was sorting through her papers, they found a letter from a Swedish University stating that they had reviewed her theories on dominate and recessive genes and they felt that they were quite sound. Both Wilma and Denzil had a soft spot for young people. They were always willing to listen and tried to help them as much as possible. They assisted many young breeders to get started in Charolais - giving them cattle on shares and countless hours of advice and encouragement. Denzil was a 4-H beef club leader, RM Councilor for 6 years, served on the Hospital Board, the Ag Reps’ Agricultural Committees and a director of the Sask beef cattle performance association. He served as a National Director on the Cnd Charolais Board for 9 years. He was never hesitated to voice his opinions and stood by his strong convictions. I remember some extremely lively Board Meetings during the years that he and Bob Munroe served together on the Cnd board. They often traveled out to the meetings together and I think they had everything on the agenda settled before they ever reached Calgary. I had the pleasure and privilege of knowing and working with Wilma and Denzil over the years. While they were definitely a team, they did maintain their separate herds and business affairs. I’ll never forget the phone call the day they received a statement from the office showing that I had transferred a few dollars from Wilma’s account to cover the shortage in Denzil’s account. Believe me, I never did that again! They didn’t always agree on everything. It was a real experience and challenge when they were both on the phone at the same time, one telling you to do the exact opposite of what the other one was telling you. I soon learned to just listen while they sorted it all out. Denzil passed away in 1992 and Wilma in 1996. Their dedication to family, friends, community and business will long be remembered. With their passing, the Charolais industry lost two dedicated friends, supporters and two of the most honest and committed breeders whose legacy will live on for years. To their families here tonight, thank you from the many Charolais breeders across Canada. Joyce Stewart, Communications Coordinator January 1999 |
