Obituary of Eugene Lesperance

Joseph Bernard Eugene Lesperance of Willow Bunch, SK passed away on Friday, December 12, 2014, at the age of 87 years. Eugene was born on July 17, 1927, on the Lesperance family farm just west of Willow Bunch. He was the youngest of 16 children born to Edmond and Josephine (nee Beaupre) Lesperance. Eugene married Laurette Dionne on December 14, 1948, and they were blessed with five beautiful children, twelve grandchildren, and seven great grandchildren. Eugene began farming with his dad and brothers at an early age. Eugene was a hard working farmer and a well respected cattleman. He bought his first quarter of land with a hand shake. Eugene was always a man of his word. When times were tough on the farm Eugene and his brother Ovila went custom combining in Oklahoma, Kansas and Montana. They did this for five years. Eugene and Laurette moved off the farm and into Willow Bunch in 1976. Eugene continued to farm from town, and worked alongside his two sons and brother. He spent twenty years on town council and became the mayor of Willow Bunch for two terms. When Eugene retired from farming he took up playing cards. He played rummy daily and poker weekly, but his greatest game was cribbage. Eugene and Laurette loved traveling together. Eugene cherished the time spent with his family. He always called his grandchildren "mes beau petit kids” which means "my beautiful little kids.” Eugene was deeply loved by his family and friends, and will be dearly missed. Eugene is survived by his loving wife Laurette Lesperance (nee Dionne); daughter Helen Pryma (Andy); son Roger (Denise) Lesperance; son Robert (Sharlene) Lesperance; daughters-in-law Lea Lesperance and Rita Lesperance; sister Rita Canham; grandchildren Teresa, Janet, Ryan, Crystal, Tearsa, Jennifer, Jill, Jamie, Joanne, Justin, Taylor and Kelsey; great grandchildren Hope, Mackenzie, Hayden, Farah, Cohen, McKenna and Hunter. Predeceased by his son Leo Lesperance (2012); son Claude Lesperance (2007); son-in-law Don Pryma; parents Edmond and Josephine Lesperance. Prayers were held on Tuesday, December 16, 2014, at 7:30 p.m., and Funeral Mass was celebrated on Wednesday, December 17, 2014, at 2:00 p.m., both at St. Ignace Roman Catholic Church, Willow Bunch, SK. Celebrant was Father Joy Montiague. Interment took place at St. Ignace Roman Catholic Cemetery, Willow Bunch, SK. Memorial donations in memory of Eugene to the Canadian Cancer Society, 61B Ross St. W., Moose Jaw, SK S6H 2M2, are greatly appreciated.