Obituary of Vernon Joseph Leland

VERNON JOSEPH LELAND

Sept. 23, 1936 – July 12, 2024

It is with deep sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of our dear husband and dad on

Friday, July 12, 2024 at Oliver Lodge in Saskatoon, SK.

Vern, the youngest of 6 children was born on the farm north of Weldon, SK to J.C. and Isabella

(Dahl) Leland.

Dad’s growing up years were spent working on the farm, spending time with his siblings and

cousins, participating in track and field and playing hockey for Weldon and Kinistino. He

attended Weldon school, often riding horseback to school and back. Dad also enjoyed fishing

and golf throughout his lifetime.

He met the love of his life, Sylvia Apesland, in Weldon and they were married at the Weldon

Lutheran church on Aug. 24, 1957. They spent many good years travelling together, farming,

spending the winters in Yuma, AZ, connecting with friends and relatives world wide, and

hauling FEMA trailers. Where one was, so was the other!

Vern began his career in the Cooperative Retailing System in 1955 when he joined Weldon Co-op as a hardware clerk. He entered FCL’s management training program in 1958. Under the

program, he worked in the lumber department at Beeland Co-op in Tisdale. In 1958-1959 he

was on the lumber order desk at FCL in Saskatoon and as a manager trainee at the Co-op in

Young in 1959. He became the general manager at Young Co-op and later served as a retail

advisor. In 1961, He was a retail advisor in Rosetown, for the district for FCL.

In 1963, Vern returned to Weldon to begin a career as a farmer. He served as vice-president

and, later, president of Weldon Co-op. He became involved in a number of other local co-operative and community organizations.

In 1976, Vern became FCL director for district S11. He was elected vice-president for the

Saskatoon region in 1977 and then served as president from 1978- 1996.

He played a key role in the founding of Co-Enerco in 1982 and served as chairman until 1994

when it was sold. He was a member of the board of directors of the Center for Agricultural

Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan and chairman of the centre’s Founding Chairs

Management Committee. He also served as director of Western Co-operative Fertilizers,

Limited, Co-operative Union of Canada, the Co-operative Superannuation Society and Centre

for the Study of Co-operatives at the University of Saskatchewan.

Following retirement from FCL in 1996, Vern returned to Weldon to continue his love of

farming where they lived in the log house that Kim built on the old JC Leland farm site north of

Weldon. He and Sylvia lived there until 2012 when they retired once again to the Saskatoon to

live in a condo on Pawlychenko Lane right across from Elim Church.

Vern’s travels for business and pleasure took him to many countries around the world

including: USA, China, Russia, Germany, Norway, Panama, England, Sweden, Japan and

Ukraine.

Vern’s faith and love for God were foremost in his life. He was a member of the Board of

Deacons of Elim Tabernacle and chairman of the Board of Directors of Elim Lodge.

He was a kind man of gentle character and unending patience. He was a strong and wise leader

both at home, in his community and his work. His morals and ethics were of the highest

standard and a more honest man one could not find. He genuinely cared for others, had a

strong work ethic and always a humble attitude. He invested fully in his family and his love for

mom was unparalleled – truly an exemplary role model and legacy for his kids and grandkids.

He supported all our endeavors with his prayers, presence, words, actions and time. He

constantly reminded us of how blessed he was. He was truly thankful to God for mom and our

whole family.

Vern is survived by his beloved family, his wife of almost 67 years, Sylvia, son, Kim (Anne)

Leland and daughters, Lori (Gary) Morris, and Tami (Mark) Johnson, 9 grandchildren and 18

great grandchildren, sisters – in- law, Anna Apesland and Trudy Apesland, numerous nieces,

nephews and countless cousins.

He was predeceased by his parents, John Christian and Isabella Leland, son, Gregory Dean

Leland, grandson, Briggs Willems, brothers Kenneth and Edwin, sisters, Violet, Gladys and Alice

and his brothers and sisters-in-law.

The family would like to thank Dr. Secord and the staff at Oliver Lodge where dad spent his last

6 months.

In accordance with dad’s wishes, there will be no funeral. A small graveside memorial with

immediate family will be held in the future.

Memorial Donations may be made to Elim Church, 419 Slimmon Rd., Saskatoon, SK S7V OE3

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 and Crematorium, Marianne Turcotte, Prince Albert, SK 306-763-3322