Obituary of Dollard Riel

It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Dollard Riel on October 13, 2009 at Shellbrook Union Hospital surrounded by his loving family. Dollard was born in Gravelbourg, Saskatchewan in 1920. He moved with his family to Timberland in the fall of 1931. Dollard left Timberland in 1938 to work as a farm laborer in the Spruce Creek district, which bordered the Pelican Lake Reservation. He and James Whitehead were the first to break land on the Reservation. During the Second World War, Dollard enlisted in service at Spiritwood in 1941, he had Rank of Pte. and served in Regiment L.8706. During active service, Dollard did tours in England, France, Germany, Belgium, and Holland. He was discharged from the service in 1945 and was awarded a Canadian Volunteer Service Medal and Clasp, a Star, a France & Germany Star, and a Defense Medal. Dollard returned to the Spruce Creek district and in1946 he married Helen (nee Bowren). They purchased their homestead on Pelican Lake Reservation in 1947. Dollard farmed and worked at construction projects in that area until he retired and moved to Leoville in 1983. During his retirement, Dollard enjoyed golfing, playing cards, and having coffee up town with the boys. Dollard also derived great pleasure from spending time with his family, particularly his daughter, grand children and great grandchildren. In 2000, Dollard was awarded the "Thank You Canada" Commemorative Medal of Remembrance for liberation of the Netherlands. Dollard is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Helen Riel (nee Bowren) of Leoville, SK; his daughter Nora Ann (Glen) Skelton of Chitek Lake, SK; his grandson Michael (Sherylann) Skelton and their children Jordan, Adrian, and Kiersten of Martinsville, SK; and his granddaughter Jennifer (Rick) Skakun and their children Cade and Bryn of Martinsville, SK; and numerous nieces and nephews. Dollard is predeceased by his father Arthur Riel; his mother Geraldine Riel (nee St. Denis); his sister Gabrielle Walton (nee Riel) and brother-in-law Jack Walton; his sister Simone Morin (nee Riel) and brother-in-law Dominique Morin; his brother Louis Riel and sister-in-law Simone Riel (nee Brassard); his brother Roland Riel and sister-in-law Dorothy Riel (nee Moore); his sister Marguerite Samson (nee Riel) and brother-in-law Dollard Samson; his nephews Phillip Riel and William Samson. The Funeral Service was held on Friday, October 16th, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. from the St. Theresa's Roman Catholic Church, Leoville, Saskatchewan with Rev. Fr. Francis Agbezuge as celebrant, the music was directed by Ed Samson with Denise Kuzyk as the organist, the eulogy was given by Glen Skelton, the crossbearer was Jordon Skelton, the honorary Pallbearers were all relatives and friends who shared in Dollard's life, the Urnbearers were his grandchildren Jennifer Skakun & Michael Skelton, the Royal Canadian Legion formed an honor guard. Dollard's Final Resting Place will be the Leoville Cemetery at a later date. Memorial donations in memory of Dollard may be made to Shellbrook Hospital Fund or Evergreen Health Center.