Grant Welke
July 13th, 2021
Lover of storms, driving through snow drifts, good wine, cheese, cooking, travel, learning new things, the arts, building and fixing stuff, friends and family. Grant had a “joie de vivre” that just made you feel good. He was a gentle, kind, playful, positive, loyal, artistic, creative and fun person who was loved unconditionally. He was a romantic, loving husband and the most special dad, grandpa, brother, uncle, cousin and friend.
His travels and learning reinforced how much he loved being a Canadian. He believed in liberalism, feminism and the power of Mother Nature. Grant accepted people for who they were, respected difference, and was always open to new ideas.
Grant died at home on Tuesday, July 13, 2021 surrounded by love at the age of 77 years. Predeceased by his mother Adela Welke (Fieseler), father Frank Welke, second mother Isabel Welke (Langford), mother-in-law Donella McKague (Hughes), father-in-law Stuart McKague, brother Roy Welke, sister Grace Higgins (Welke), brother-in-law Rick McKague and beloved friends, cousins, aunts and uncles. Grant is survived by his wife and partner Donna of 53 years; daughter Jill Welke (Scott Harwood); granddaughter Lauren; sisters Karen (Jack), Corinne (Dan), Gayle (Joe), Joy (Barry); sisters-in-law Judy (Mark), Carol (Greg) Debbie; brother Allan (Judy); brothers-in-law Ross (Brenda), Dale (Dorothy), Lonny (Lucianne), Kevin (Ann), Rob; wonderful nieces and nephews; along with a wide swath of Welkes, Fieselers, McKagues, Langfords, extended family and special friends who loved him dearly.
Grant was born in 1944 to Frank and Adela Welke in Russell, MB and grew up in Langenburg, SK. Growing up he was an Air Cadet, had his pilot’s license, won the 1963 Teen-age Safe Driving Road-e-o, was an avid curler and earned all his spending money from playing pool.
Grant and Donna met in the bar in Saskatoon, SK and were a loving couple and great team. They were married in 1968. Grant always said that the highlights of his life were – their wedding day, the day Jill was born, and the day Lauren was born. The Athol Street home where they lived for almost 44 years had his handy work all over it and it was the place of so many connections and great memories.
A U of S Commerce grad, Grant worked at the City of Regina and Government of Saskatchewan for most of his career. What Grant valued most from his work and career was the respect he earned and the relationships he developed.
Grant was an inspiration to many. He battled cancer, health complications and pulmonary fibrosis with hope and determination. He never complained. Grant received an award for 15 years of volunteering to help people learn to live life to the fullest with a colostomy – as he did. His claims to fame were having KD Lang personally sing him happy birthday and his Balls of Steel trophies. In his final months of life Grant decided to self-publish his Uncle Franklin Fieseler’s unfinished book Artic Tales.
Grant was surrounded with so much love and support every step of the way - special thanks to the many friends and family who were a part of his journey and to the amazing people who were part of his care team – Dr. Barry Lotz, Dr. A. Muftah, Palliative Home Care, River Heights Pharmacy, and Prairie Oxygen.
Grant’s generosity of spirit and enduring love will live on in us every day. As his granddaughter says “he is in the land of the remembered”.
A family gathering and interment was held at Riverside Memorial Park Cemetery in Regina, SK. In lieu of cards, flowers or said donations, please carry out a random act of kindness and share the story on the website along with your contributions of photos, videos, condolences and messages of love. Please visit: remembergrant.ca.
