Obituary of Cpl. Dustin Roy Robert Joseph Wasden

"Greater love has no one than this, That he lay down his life for his friends." UBIQUE (Everywhere) "For those who have fought for it, Freedom has a flavour the protected will never know." Cpl. Dustin Roy Robert Joseph Wasden was born on July 24th, 1983, in Prince Albert, SK. He was tragically taken from his family, at the age of 25 years, on August 20th, 2008 while on active duty in Kandahar, Afghanistan. Dustin leaves to cherish his memory: His loving wife Shannon Wasden of Edmonton, AB; his daughter Makayla Wasden of Edmonton, AB; his parents Ken and Bonnie Wasden of Spiritwood, SK; a sister Ricki Lee Wasden of Saskatoon, SK; his grandparents K. Roy and Auralia Wasden of Spiritwood, SK; his aunts and uncles: Laura and Don Friesen and family of Dundurn, SK; Gord and Karen Wasden and family of Westbank, BC; Diane and Gerald Doetzel and family of Saskatoon, SK; Dwayne and Sylvia Lepage and family of Leoville, SK and Valerie and Hubert Turgeon and family of Spiritwood, SK. Numerous other relatives and countless friends. He was predeceased by: His grandparents Robert (Bob) and Doris Lepage & his great grandparents Mike and Kathrene Hujber. The Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated by Bishop Albert Thevenot, Fr, Paul DeGuzman & Fr. George Canto on Wednesday, September 3rd, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. from the Bourdages Cameron Arena, Spiritwood, Saskatchewan. Rev. Leigh Sinclair performed the readings, Sacred Heart Parish directed the music and Kendall Gaboury gave the eulogy. Honorary Pallbearers were: David Walsh Jr., Roland Desroches, Eric Beaudry, Kendall Gaboury, Jason Gaboury, Landon Becotte, Travis Laventure & Dustin Heyden. Pallbearers were: Sgt. Allen, Mcpl. Whittle, Cpl. Delarge, Cpl. Semenoff, Cpl. Cote, Cpl. Getchell, Spr. Thomson, and Spr. Owen & Spr. Wolowidnyk Dustin spent his earlier years and started elementary school in Leoville, SK. In the spring of 1991 his family moved to the family farm south of Mildred, SK. He enrolled in Rivier Elementary School and graduated from the Spiritwood High School in 2001. He was an active member of the local 4-H beef club for 9 years. Whether he was playing hockey, ball or showing 4-H Cattle his fun loving, humorous nature always shone through. He was a kind hearted, fun loving kid, who loved spending time with friends and family. He always had time to help the younger children, under any circumstances. On November 8th, 2004, Dustin took the oath to become a member of the Canadian Armed Forces. He completed basic training on February 17th, 2005 in Saint-Jean-sur-Richeleiu, Quebec. He then went on to Gagetown, New Brunswick, to complete his training to become a Combat Engineer. It was while training there that he met the two loves of his live, his wife to be Shannon Walsh and her daughter Makayla. That fall Dustin was posted to CFB Edmonton, AB as a member of Edmonton's 12 Field Squadron 1 Combat Engineer Regiment and in early October the girls followed him out there. On October 30th, 2006 Dustin & Shannon were married, sharing this special day with 2 other couples. His parents, who celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary and grandparents who were celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary, it also happened to be Grandma's birthday They lived on the Military base in Edmonton, where Dustin continued his training. Whether he was on a Mountain Ops Course in Kamloops, BC, or training to deploy in Wainwright, AB or Shilo, MB, Dustin thrived. He loved his career and everyday was a new adventure. When he was issued his "tans", he was so proud to have earned the right to go on tour to Afghanistan. On February 24th, 2008 Dustin deployed to Kandahar, so happy to be going on tour and to work with a team of men he respected so very much. He was home for 3 weeks on leave on May 20th, 2008 and flew back to Kandahar on June 8th, 2008. We watched him leave knowing that he loved his career and that he was following a dream. He said that he would never complain about living in Canada. Our country was so blessed and that he had to go back to help the children of Afghanistan so one day, they too could have the kind of life we here, back home, take for granted. Memorial Donations in memory of Dustin may be made to: Children's Health and Hospital Foundation of Saskatchewan, #850-410 22nd Street East, Saskatoon, SK S7K 5T6 or Wounded Warrior Fund, PO Box 141 Stn. Brooklin, Whitby, ON L1M 1B5 Email condolences may be sent to www.beaulacfuneralhome.com. Edward Beaulac of Beau "Lac" Funeral Home was entrusted with the funeral arrangements.