Jean McKen was born June 18, 1929 at Yorkton, SK. She was the daughter of David and AnnaBelle (nee McLachlan) McVey. She was raised on the family farm north west of Yorkton and attended Reaman School and Orkney School. She completed her high school education by correspondence at Orcadia. On June 30, 1947 she was united in marriage to Maurice McKen at St. Andrew's United Church, Yorkton. Son, Don and daughter, Maureen were born in 1949 and 1952 respectively. The couple farmed in the Orcadia District all their lives. In those early years they worked hard to establish their farm essentially from scratch. There was always lots of work but not very much money. Jean found many ways to deal with the situation. In the 1950's, Siwash sweaters were very popular. Many American duck hunters ordered these made-to-fit sweaters from her. She was a fast knitter and would often work throughout the night to finish a sweater for the next day. From her knitting she made enough money to purchase 5 heifers, significantly contributing to their start-up cattle herd. She assisted in the milking of the cows, morning and evening, from spring to fall. In addition, she also assisted in the raising of chickens, turkeys, geese, ducks and pigs. Cream and eggs were taken to the train station at Orcadia and sent to Yorkton for sale. Very often the only income available was the meager proceeds from these sales. Another source of income that Jean participated in was trapping. Maurice often operated a winter trap line and trapped primarily muskrats. Jean helped with the skinning and Maurice claims she could skin 3 to 1 of his. She also cooked meals for the municipal road building crew working in the area one season. She always grew a large garden and harvested wild berries. She preserved more than enough for the season------initially by canning and when electricity made it to the area by freezing. Above all, she was very thrifty and refused to spend money if there was any possible way to avoid it. She often made clothing from cast off garments and flour sacks and was recycling long before it was the fashionable thing to do. Although Jean left the decisions of farming to Maurice, she was still very much involved in farm operations. She prepared meals for the threshing crew and did the evening farm chores. When the threshing machine was replaced by a small combine she often hauled grain from the field - - - 25 bushels at a time. During haying she frequently operated the tractor to rake hay into windrows and coils. In more recent times, she continued to display her progressive attitude. She supported her son and daughter-in-law's start-up game farm by purchasing and contributing three elk heifers. She named them Faith, Hope and Charity. Furthermore, she was a strong supporter of Don and "B's" certified organic grain farming. When Don and Maureen left to further their education, Jean began 25 years of employment. She worked at the Anderson Lodge as a cook for 10 years, at the Yorkton Union Hospital for 6 years and finally at the Yorkton District Nursing Home for 9 years. Early on she studied the necessary material on her own and passed the provincial journeyman's cook exam. Throughout her lifetime, Jean was interested in and became very committed to the growth and development of her immediate communities of Orcadia and Yorkton. As a result, she was actively involved in many capacities of various organizations. She was a member of the Western Development Museum Steering Committee, a director of the East Zone Seniors, a member and past Worthy Matron of the Eastern Star, committee member and ladies auxiliary member of Westview United Church, Orkney United Church, Orcadia Community Club and the Creekside Ladies of Theodore. Her compassion for others extended in and beyond her community. Frequently, she and Maurice would visit folks at the nursing home and the hospital. Also, they took great pride in sponsoring a child through World Vision for over a decade. Jean took pride in her yard. She spent countless hours over the years building rock gardens, planting and tending to annual and perennial flowers, fruit trees and shelterbelts. Jean's favourite pastime activities centered around various handicrafts such as knitting, crocheting, dried floral arrangements and sewing. She rarely purchased any raw materials other than glue for her glue gun. She had a unique ability to turn recycled yarn, cattails, stalks of wheat, cores from toilet paper rolls, pine cones etc. into a host of very attractive and decorative products. She was a regular participant in various craft sales, community shows, exhibitions and workshops. Her output was quite spectacular, her prices were low, demand was high and she was able to sell all that she produced. She donated every penny to various charitable causes. Predeceased by her parents, brother, Frank McVey and sister, Ellen Shaver. Jean leaves to mourn her passing, her husband Maurice, son, Don (Bilkies) McKen, of Orcadia, SK., daughter, Maureen (Larry) Galye, of St. Albert, AB.; grandchildren Jason McKen, Andrea McKen (husband Dave Clarke), Clayton (Jenn) Galye, Jocelyn (Marcus) Wolf; great-grandchildren, Kieran Clarke, Emerson and Grayson Galye, as well as numerous nieces and nephews and other relatives and friends and neighbours. Jean is dearly missed and will be lovingly remembered. The funeral service was held on Tuesday, July 4, 2017 from Westview United Church in Yorkton with Rev. Deborah Smith officiating. The family tribute was given by Jason & Andrea McKen. Organist, Laurene Jemieff led the congregation in the hymns Amazing Grace, How Great Thou Art, Abide With Me and Beyond the Sunset. The interment took place in the Garden of Memories at the Yorkton Memorial Gardens with son Don and daughter Maureen serving as the urn bearers. Condolences can be left at baileysfuneralhome.com. Memorials were to the Yorkton & District Nursing Home or to the Cardiac Care Unit of the YRHC.
