Obituary of George Allen Folland

George Allen Folland passed away peacefully of natural causes surrounded by his family on March 21, 2020 at the age of 86 years. George was born on July 28, 1933, the 4th child to Jacob Johnson Folland and Josephine Mary (nee Hanson). George’s older siblings were Joseph Jacob, Melvin Bernard, Ester Bertha, and adopted sister Marie. George was born and raised on the SE 1/4 of 6-48-21 W2 in the RM of Kinistino and was able to stay there to the summer of 2015, which at that time he moved into the Prince Albert Herb Bassett Home. George attend his first 5 years of schooling at the Roosevelt School and finished his schooling at the Falcon School which was situated on the south east part of the homestead quarter, which his father gave in the 1940’s to lesson the heavy enrollment in the neighboring schools. George spent most of those early years helping his father and brothers farm the land. From a very young age George was taught how to work and handle the team of horse’s and oxen that his father used to work the land. They would use their team to gather lumber and use with the old threshing machines. Times were tough back then, but he learned very early in life from his father that you should always try to help people out in any way you can. George carried this trait of trying to help anybody till his dying days, as many of you were touched by his kindness and generosity, many of us were welcomed to live with them on the ranch. George was always willing to help in anyway he could even if it was just a “burger or a beer”, “chicken dinner” or “sleeping or working at the Ranch or the Rodeo” (as most of our Rodeo crews will remember this). George had such a kind heart, which showed through the endless amount of kids, that he found horses for them to ride and own. On November 21st of 1953, George married the love of his life Avis and raised three beautiful children- June, Gary, and Brenda. They were happily married for 60 years and family was the most important thing to George. From a very early age George had a special gift and a love for horses. He seemed to have a connection to the spirits of these animals and could sense what they were. He could always tell you everything about each and every one in his herd. This 6th sense was shown to me more than once where he would say “something is wrong, got to go see the boys in the pasture”, drove up to find one of the horse’s was injured or something had happened to one of the animals. This happened on more than a few occasions. Then there were the times the horses would come to find George around the farm, coming up to him, snorting and whinnying, looking for a gentle hand before they went and passed away quietly someplace on the ranch. I’m sure there will be a stampede of these old friends, coming to meet him in that great pasture of the heavens. They’ll be prancing around, waiting for him to load the chutes and hang some flanks. Crank some gates and hear those words “Let R Buck”. Early on George trained many horses but none were more special than his trick horse Golden Jim. George would perform through out the country fairs and exhibitions for several years. This was quite a sight to see. George first became bitten by the Rodeo bug when he and his brother Melvin trailed the horses from the ranch over to Fort a la Corne for his first Rodeo in 1949. This was George’s first time as working as a pickup man. In the 1960’s, George hooked up with Ted Mcdougall and began producing Rodeos at Watrous, Duck Lake, Birch Hills, Warman and a few others. In 1970 was the first year of producing the Kinistino Golden West Roundup, and in 1980 he was awarded a 10 year plaque for his dedication. George also produced the Spiritwood Silver Buckle Rodeo for 13 consecutive years. Through the 70’s, 80’s, 90’s, and up to the 2000’s George went on to produce Rodeos throughout the province. As we all know George had a special bond with all his animals, but there were a few horses that were special to George. #5 Hi Jack- colt from Glen Mary Mail eam, unridden for many years (20 years) #13- Midnight Red Sage (Top stock award). #6- Mighty Sandy, Silver town, Kings Best, Timberline, Moody River. These are just a few of the bronc’s that George raised and loved on the ranch, and I know each of you will have a fond memory of his horses or bulls, and the rodeos he put on. I know one of mine was the time we trailed every buckin’ horse he had (over 220) to Fort a La Corne for the Rodeo and Sports day. What a sight to see and what a feeling trailing all them horses. Tried trailing them on the way back home, but as the old horses knew where home was, it was a stampede all the way back to the ranch. The blood lines of these bucking horses are being carried on by Brenda today and will be around for generations to come. George’s love for his way of life was something special, and he touched all of us that knew him, and this world has lost a gentle soul. He was strong and stubborn till his very last day, never wanting to let go, as he would always say “I’m hanging in there”. A true Cowboy Spirit through and through. Your ride may be over, here on earth Uncle George, it has just begun for you up there in the great pasture. So, round ‘em up and load the chutes and “Let R Buck!” and “Lets Rodeo!”. Family, Friends and the Bucking Horse World, we have lost a great horseman, but his legacy will live on in the bloodlines of his horses and in the hearts of all who knew him. George is lovingly remembered by his children: June (Raymond) Hawrish and their daughter, Rhonda (Dale) Neufeld and their sons, Grayson and Jordan; Gary Folland; and Brenda Folland; his sister-in-law, Norma Dahl; numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, Jacob and Josephine Folland; two infant sons, Harley and Allan Folland; his brothers, Joseph (Phyllis) Folland and Melvin (Susan) Folland; his sisters, Esther Shier and Marie (Ruban) Buhler; parents-in-law, Ernest and Hjordis Dahl; and brothers-in-law, Dennis Dahl and Spencer Hanson. Donations in remembrance of George may be made to the Norden Lutheran Heritage site, Box 364 Kinistino, SK S0J 1H0. A Graveside Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, March 27, 2020 at Norden Lutheran Cemetery, RM of Kinistino. A Celebration of George’s Life will he announced at a later date. Family and friends wishing to send online condolences are welcome to visit www.beaulacfuneralhome.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Beau “Lac” Funeral Home, Marianne Turcotte, Funeral Director, Prince Albert, SK 306-763-3322.