Obituary of Gerald Clifford Kendel

Gerald Clifford Kendel passed away on Friday, April 12, 2013 in Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon at the age of 56 years. Gerald was born in Shellbrook to George & Helene Kendel on April 24, 1956. Gerry grew up on the farm in Foxdale, and was the eldest of 6 siblings. In 1973 at the age of 16 Gerry left high school and went to work on the pipeline in Alberta, which was the beginning of his 30 plus year career in the industry. By the age of 22, he had become a journeyman welder, and received his B-Pressure by the age of 25. Gerald was known for being one of the best welders of his time, and is still known as a “legend” in the pipeline community today. As much as Gerry loved welding, farming was really his first calling and in 1975 when his father wanted to expand the farm, Gerry was a key part of that. Gerald’s experience in his welding career was invaluable on the farm, enabling him to fabricate anything that was needed. In May 1984 Gerry met Debbie and later that year he proposed and they married in November 1986. In May 1987, their daughter Ashley was born. Gerry wasted no time in sharing his love of fishing with her, and took her on her first fishing trip to Dickens Lake at just 2 months old. In July of 1988, they moved out to the Sommerfeld farm where Gerry would farm and raise his family. In February 1990 his son Brooks was born. Just as Ashley’s first fishing trip was, Gerry took Brooks to B.C on a fishing trip and tenting when he was 6 months old. He loved spending time with his kids, and shared his deep love for the outdoors with them. Gerry worked year round to provide for his family; he worked the pipeline through the winter, and would return from spring break up to begin seeding his crop for the year. After 30 years of working in the oil field, and stripping the earth of its non-renewable resources, Gerry decided to give back. In 2007, he became a certified Apricus Solar dealer, and founded the company “My Solar World”. This was the first of its kind in Saskatchewan, and has since gained tremendous popularity across Canada. Of Gerry’s many talents, he was always a great cook; he loved to share those meals with the less fortunate sometimes making a large pot of soup and homemade bread and taking it out to Sturgeon Lake Reserve to share. In Gerrys’ latter life, he took a strong interest in the Native traditions and cultures. He attended sweats as often as he could, and loved being a part of their ways. Gerry will be missed by his family and friends, he was wise beyond his years, and passed tremendous amounts of knowledge on to everyone he knew. Gerald leaves to cherish his memory his loving partner Cindy Frey, his daughter Ashley (Shane) Doell, his son Brooks Kendel, his mother Helene Kendel, the mother of his children Debbie (Larry) Bergen, his siblings Pat (Pam) Kendel; Rob Kendel; Ralph (Carmen) Kendel; Maureen (Ron) Herzog; Terri-Ann (Duane) Storey; his nieces and nephews Stephanie, Heather, Tristan, and Zachary Kendel; Zoe, Nathan and Nolan Kendel; Chelsey, Alyssa, Brigitte and Bryce Herzog; Cole, Tyler and Emma Storey; Gerry was predeceased by his father George Kendel; his paternal grandparents Clifford & Anne Kendel; his maternal grandparents Albert & Delima Dupuis. The Mass of Christian Burial for Gerry was held on April 18, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. from St. Agathas RC Church in Shellbrook. Father Tru Lee was the Celebrant. Interment took place in the Foxdale Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to Shellbrook & Districts Health Services Project or to the Canadian Cancer Society. Emailed condolences sent to www.beaulacfuneralhome.come will be forwarded to the family. Beau”Lac” Funeral Home was entrusted with the arrangements, 306-747-2828.