Kirk Neibrandt of Rhein, SK passed away peacefully on August 11, 2012 at 8:10 a.m. with his family by his side. Kirk was born on July 12, 1962, at the Yorkton Union Hospital, the fifth and youngest child of Harry and Helen Neibrandt of Rhein, SK. He grew up on the family farm, four miles west of Rhein, attended Rhein School and graduated from the Yorkton Regional High School in 1980. Following graduation Kirk attended Kelsey Institute of Applied Arts and Sciences in Saskatoon, completing a program in Farm Mechanics. He successfully challenged the apprenticeship exam and worked in farm mechanics for two years. In time Kirk and his brother Brian took over the family farm from their father, farming together until 1994. Kirk loved a challenge and thrived on change. He was a creative problem solver, inventing the Track Jack and later selling the patent to Yamaha. He built up Bee Line Sanitation and KW Rentals, selling both to move on to new projects. In recent years Kirk started Wheatland Property Management, purchasing and renovating a number of commercial properties for lease. He also began providing contract work trenching for Sask Power, a job he loved because of the many good friends he made there. Over the years Kirk developed a comprehensive knowledge and skill set in many trades, taking on jobs across the construction and mechanics spectrum. He taught himself to build water softeners and reverse osmosis systems. He supported the expansion of the Gallagher Centre through the purchase and rental of equipment necessary for construction. He renovated a number of properties, including parts of Parkland College in Esterhazy and Yorkton. He particularly enjoyed times when he worked alongside his daughters, Brandi and Dana. Kirk developed a wide network of friends and colleagues and became a valued "go to" guy in the community, lending his expertise to many projects and helping out friends and family. Family always joked that if you had a problem, Kirk "always knew a guy", whatever the job to be done. In 1988 Kirk built a home on property next to the family farm yard site. In recent years Kirk and Wendy sold their home and Kirk renovated the Rhein School into a combined home and workshop. On July 30, 1983 Kirk married Wendy Ruf. He always said of Wendy that she was "small, but mighty". We all came to understand just how true that statement was as we watched the two of them battle the cancer that eventually took Kirk's life. In 1994 and 1997 Kirk and Wendy were blessed by the arrival of their daughters, Brandi and Dana. Family was everything to Kirk. His love and respect for Wendy was unfailing. Her devotion to him was evident in everything she did. Their beautiful daughters were always at the centre of their lives. From the day they were married, her family became his and his became hers. Kirk was the bridge between the generations, always interested and supportive of his nieces and nephews and much loved by all. Kirk will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his family and a multitude of friends. He was predeceased by his father, Harry Neibrandt and mother, Helen (nee Olson) Neibrandt; his grandparents, Fred Neibrandt and Lillian (Bailey) Neibrandt and Emil Olson and Freda (Bystead) Olson; his Aunt Myrtle and Uncle Gerald Anderson, Aunt Elsie and Uncle Paul Augustson, Aunt Verna Holstein and Aunt Joyce Doll. He leaves to mourn his passing and cherish his memory his wife, Wendy and their children, Brandi and Dana; sister, Janet (Dennis) Shindle; brother, Bruce Neibrandt; brother, Brian (Cheryl) Neibrandt; sister, Jackie Neibrandt; Aunt Lillian Neibrandt, Uncle Mel (Margaret) Olson, Uncle Laddie (Dorothy) Olson, Uncle Johney Holstein; father and mother in law, Verner and Elaine Ruf; brother-in-law, Keith (Val) Ruf; sister-in-law, Ellen Ruf; nephews and nieces, Shaun Neibrandt and his children, Hailey, Seth and Noah, Graham (Krista) Shindle and their children, Kylyn and Maddox, Jeremy Wlasichuk, Garth (Angie) Shindle and their, children Kolton, Jayden and Ava, Kelly (Kurt) Lange and their children, Allie and Raeanne, Jocelyn (Doug) Mitchell and daughter, Molly, Scott (Alana Konnon) Wlasichuk, Evan Neibrandt, John Neibrandt, Adam Neibrandt, Bailey Inglis, Ledyn Ruf, Travis Inglis, Hanah Ruf, Kaitlin Inglis, as well as numerous cousins and a wide circle of friends. A celebration of Kirk's life was held on Wednesday, August 15, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. from the Rhein Lion's Hall in Rhein, SK with Pastor Daniel Moeller officiating. Kirk's sister, Janet Shindle gave tribute to her brother in eulogy and Kirk's nieces and nephews, Bailey Iglis, Graham Shindle and Jocelyn Mitchell shared memories of their uncle. The soloist, Jackie Guy sang "Swing Lo, Sweet Chariot" and "I'll Wait For You". Kirk's nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews served as honourary pallbearers while Kirk's wife, Wendy and their daughters, Brandi and Dana served as the urnbearers. A private family cremation committal took place on Thursday, August 16, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. at the Yorkton City Cemetery with Pastor Daniel Moeller officiating. Friends so wishing may forward their condolences to the family by visiting www.christiesfuneralhome.com. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Christie's Funeral Home & Crematorium, Yorkton, Saskatchewan.
