LOOSE - After a short but courageous battle with cancer, the family is very saddened to announce that Mr. Leon Loose, 70 years, of Humboldt passed away at Humboldt District Hospital on Saturday, December 15, 2012. Leon was born on February 17, 1942 in Humboldt to Joe and Agnes (nee Beuker) Loose. Sadly, his mother passed away at this time. Leon attended Burton Lake School for his elementary education and then decided that farming was more interesting than school, so he stayed home to help his dad on the farm. The animals, especially the horses, were his first love on the farm. On July 5, 1966, Leon married Agnes Menz of Muenster and they were blessed with two children, Randine and Dion. They operated a mixed farm on the Loose homestead along with his brother, Joe Jr. In 1980, Leon began working for the Town of Humboldt, while still continuing to farm. Leon retired from farming in 1991 and from the Town of Humboldt in 2007. Leon was very active in many sports including hockey, baseball, golfing, cross country skiing, fishing, curling and chariot and chuck wagon racing. He played and coached hockey for many years. Being a hockey enthusiast, Elgar Petersen, Jack Earis and Leon would travel all over the area to watch hockey games. In addition his job at the Uniplex afforded him the opportunity to proudly support all of the local players. In the summer months, Leon was busy with chariot and chuck wagon racing, traveling all over the province to various races. After he quit racing, he acquired some larger horses and enjoyed many wagon treks including the 7 day/100 mile Centennial Trek from Saskatoon to Prince Albert in 1983. He was also involved in heavy horse showing and won many events at the provincial level. Dad continued to train horses with Jim Sawatsky, his natural talent making him somewhat of a Horse Whisperer. He also enjoyed many hours doing wood working projects. Leon was a very social person and enjoyed coffee with many friends at the local restaurants in town. He enjoyed card playing and going on many casino trips with his good friends Lyle and Irene Puetz. Leon loved children, with his four grandchildren being his pride and joy. Leon will be lovingly remembered and sadly missed by his wife of 46 years, Agnes Loose of Humboldt; their two children and four grandchildren: Randine (Wilf) Graf and daughters Ashley, Jayden and Taryn, of Saskatoon and Dion (Kimberly) Loose and son Bryer of Humboldt; brother, Joe Jr. (Barbara) Loose of Humboldt; sister-in-law, Cathy Loose (Dave) of Humboldt; mother-in-law, Clara Menz of Muenster; brothers-and-sisters-in-law: Con (Pat) Menz of Humboldt, Ed (Marion) Menz of Muenster, Elaine (Glen) Foster of Calgary, Kathy (Larry) Moorman of St. Gregor, Mary Jane Lindsay of Saskatoon and Rosalie (Doug) Higgins of Regina; and by numerous nieces and nephews. Leon was predeceased by his birth mother, Agnes (nee Beuker) Loose; his parents, Joe Sr. and Leona (nee Duerr) Loose; brother, John Loose; and father-in-law, Ed Menz, Sr. The Prayer Service for Leon was held on Tuesday, December 18, 2012 at 7:30 p.m. led by Jenny Irwin. Others taking part in the service were: organist, Kathy Phillips; readers, Rosalie Higgins and Tammy Menz; and eulogists, Randine and Wilf Graf. The Funeral Mass was held on Wednesday, December 19, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. celebrated by Fr. Ephraim Mensah. Others taking part in the mass were: music ministry, John Brinkmeier and the St. Augustine Funeral Choir; cross bearer, Aaron Higgins; readers, Carla Clement and Jayden Graf; intentions, Larry Moorman; gift bearers, Ashley, Jayden and Taryn Graf and Bryer Loose; and urnbearers, Joe Loose, assisted by Leon's godchildren, Sheldon Moorman, Darcy Loose, Glenda Schlitz and Aaron Higgins. Honorary Pallbearers were "All those who shared in Leon's life and long time hockey friend Elgar Petersen". Interment followed in the Assumption Roman Catholic Cemetery, Marysburg, SK. Memorial donations in Leon's memory may be made to St. Mary's Villa Foundation or the Humboldt Vintage Club. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Malinoski & Danyluik Funeral Home, Humboldt, SK.
