Obituary of Ted Bowerman

Mr. George Reginald (Ted) Bowerman, late of Prince Albert, passed away suddenly in a motor vehicle accident near Provost Alberta on December 20, 2007. Ted was born November 3, 1930, the youngest of six siblings, to Edward Leroy and Laura Rosalee Bowerman of the Rayside District. Ted attended Rayside School and worked on the family farm. As an adventurous young man, he joined the Saskatchewan Smoke Jumpers in 1949. This was Canada's first aerial fire fighting team. Ted made several jumps in his years with Smoke Jumpers, fighting fires as well as providing search and rescue for downed aircraft in the north. In 1951 Ted entered Resource Officer School and became a Field Officer and Game Warden with the Saskatchewan Department of Natural Resources, where he was stationed at various locations in the province. Ted married Dagmar Christiansen on February 14, 1959. Ted began commercial fishing in Reindeer Lake, and later purchased a farm north of Shellbrook. Ted and Dagmar had three sons, Stephen (deceased), Curtis, and Mark. In 1967, Ted entered provincial politics and was elected under the Saskatchewan New Democratic Party as a member of the Saskatchewan Legislature representing the constituency of Shellbrook. In his first term he was one of the opposition MLA's under the leadership of Woodrow Lloyd. Ted was re-elected to the legislature in 1971, and became a member of the new NDP government lead by Premier Allan Blakeney. He served as a Saskatchewan MLA and Cabinet Minister from 1971 through 1982. He had the honour to hold a variety of portfolios including: Minister of Mineral Resources, Natural Resources, Northern Saskatchewan and Environment. In addition Ted served on many boards and committees within the government, and in his local community. Ted was a humanitarian and a friend to many. He proudly represented the members of his constituency and province. He was always willing to help those in need, whether it was family members, a close friend, neighbour, or a person he may not know. His strong faith and love of life led many to respect him as an individual. Ted leaves behind his two sons, Curtis (Debbie) of Cochrane AB, Mark of Sundre, AB; two grandsons Cole and Dylan of Cochrane AB; two brothers, Glenn (Donna) Bowerman and Dave (Myrtle) Bowerman, both of Independence MI; numerous nieces, nephews, government colleagues, countless loved ones, friends, and neighbours. He was predeceased by his wife, Dagmar; his oldest son, Stephen; his oldest brother, Steve; his sisters Edna and Olive; his parents, Edward & Laura. Ted will be sorrowfully missed by all those who knew him and the many lives he touched. Funeral services were held at St. Paul's Presbyterian Church in Prince Albert on Wednesday, January 2, 2008 at 2:00 pm with Mr. Albert Hannigan as officiant. The honor guard and honorary pallbearers were made up of close friends and government colleagues. There was a private interment in South Hill Cemetery, Prince Albert. Memorial donations may be made to the choice of the donor.