Bill Krell was born December 6, 1932 in their Benson, farm home to his parents, Frederick Krell and Magdalena nee Knapp. He died June 1, 2016. Left to mourn are his dearly beloved wife of 25 years, Ruth nee Dobernigg; his youngest of five sisters, Violet (Bob) Jacob; in-laws, Bruce Paterson, Gunner Christiansen, John and Priscilla Dobernigg, Walter and Martha Dobernigg; and many treasured nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. He was predeceased by his parents; his four sisters, Sophie (Conrad) Knoch, Leah (John) Diemert, Lily Paterson, and Marie Christiansen; nephew, Carmi Christiansen and niece, Debbie Paterson. As an infant he was baptized at Zion Lutheran Church, Stoughton. He attended Hillier, Walton, and Stoughton Schools, graduating from Luther College High School in Regina. Here he made enduring friendships. At the age of 10, the family moved from Benson to their Willow Crest farm near Stoughton where he was mentored by his father. By the age of 20, upon his Dad’s unexpected death in 1953, he took up the torch, farming along with his mother. In 1973, Bill graduated with a Diploma in Agriculture from the U. of S. Soon after, he rallied the seniors to organize the Stoughton Drop-In Centre so they could socialize and share their wisdom. Though he ‘chaired’ he was too young to be a member!! With his competent wife Ruth, he has farmed since 1990 until the present. Bill had a respect and passion for the land. Seed time and harvest time were his favourites and growing grain was how he helped to feed the world’s hungry. He and Ruth finished his last harvest by the end of August, in record time. He believed he lived in the best era and appreciated the wonders of God’s creation! Progressing from farming with horses then to cab-less RED tractors and on to the massive computerized GREEN machines, RED trucks, and fully equipped shops kept him busy and happy. Computerized machines annoyed him because he couldn’t fix them! His collection of antiques grew as he attended yet another auction sale! The Stoughton Daze Parades featured three of his antique tractors and he proudly drove in them. Exhibitions and Agribition were fun and educational. He was ready to learn from others and to share his ideas and experience. He was video taped on their farm for the TV Farm Report, was featured on a farm calendar, and the farm was pictured on the inner cover of Tecumseh on the Prairies – Vol.1. He kept the buildings painted and the farm looking its best having the barn re-shingled last summer. He had many herds of cattle and reluctantly sold the last of them in 2013. He was a visionary and leader in his community, organizer of the Drop-In Centre, Stoughton Co-op Board of Directors – 15 years, member/president of the Lions Club, longest member of the Community Pasture, lifelong member/board of Zion Lutheran, volunteer at the museum where his mother’s cook stove is displayed. Along with friends, he took courses in judo, wrestling, swimming, dancing, defensive driving, becoming an instructor. He loved music especially accordion, piano, and violin. How he enjoyed the polkas at the Kimberly Accordion Festivals!! Earlier he took accordion lessons. Bill travelled abroad and down south including Cuba and seven trips to Hawaii!! His beloved Ruth was his treasured companion. She taught him about orchards, fruit growing, apple picking, growing flowers, gardening, and life in Vernon, BC. He could strike up a conversation with anyone on any topic making friends easily. Always ready to hear a good joke, he also loved to tell one! This was a wise, kind, unique, and compassionate encourager who stayed true to his principles. He enjoyed the coffee hours in town, olden day stories, fishing, boating, and showing visitors the crops. He haggled with oil companies to be fair to farmers and responsible to the environment. His intention was to build a condo on his town lot so seniors could be close to downtown and enjoy independence. He thought he would have two to three more years to wind down his farming and spend more time with Ruth. Over the past months his health was failing. He was in Estevan Hospital, then in Fillmore Health Centre. This expanded his understanding in a dimension totally new to him. He totally appreciated the care and compassion of the staff and actually told visitors not to fear living in a care home. Of his many visitors, he remarked that he didn’t know he had so many friends. His neighbours rallied with many kindnesses which he greatly appreciated. Sadly, he succumbed to cancer all too soon on June 1, 2016. His love, guidance, wise counsel, and possibility thinking will live on in many hearts and lives. Eternal rest and peace of Christ are his! A vivid lesson once revealed to him was that it is not only enough to have the love of Christ but that he was to show the love of Christ to all. He endeavoured to live this way! The Funeral Service was held on Wednesday, June 8, at 2:00 p.m. from Stoughton Apostolic Church, with Pastor Stewart Miller officiating. Donations in memory of William may be made to the Stoughton First Responders, Lutheran Hour Ministries or a charity of the donor’s choice. Condolences may be left at: www.fletcherfuneralchapel.com. Arrangements entrusted to Fletcher Funeral Chapel, Weyburn, 306-842-5432.
