Dan Kobitz

KOBITZ - It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our Husband, Father and Grandfather Dan Kobitz. Dan passed away July 11, 2019 at the age of 88. Dan passed peacefully with his wife and daughter by his side.

Dad was born April 9, 1931 at the old Maple Creek Hospital. He was the second oldest son of Mike and Anna Kobitz and grew up in the Downie Lake district and attended the Downie Lake Economy school.

After leaving home Dad had many jobs one of which took him to Raymond, Alberta where he had a job herding sheep, then working for the CPR, he returned home to work at Cypress Park in the Park Café as a cook's helper and later in the Maple Creek Hospital as an orderly.

Dan again feeling the need to travel went to work on the oil rigs. This job took him many places in Saskatchewan and Alberta. It was in Edson, Alberta that Dad had a serious accident while working the rigs. He fell off the derrick and landed 60 feet below. Dad broke his leg, knee cap, elbow & wrist. He had surgery on his leg, bone grafts and spent many months in the Edmonton Hospital.

After the accident he came back to the farm to recuperate and later started working at the Esso station at the 1-21 junction. This is where dad met his future wife Bernice Kuntz. Mom and Dad were married Oct. 29, 1963 in Maple Creek, and their daughter Sheila was born July 9, 1967.

After working many years at the 1-21 Esso Station Dad and his sister Jane became owners in 1976 and sold the business in 1983. Dan spent many years delivering freight in and around Maple Creek.

Dan had a fall at home in 2014 that left him with a broken collarbone and broken pelvis, he was unable to walk for many months and moved to the long term care facility in Maple Creek, where he remained until his passing.

He never complained and accepted that this was home to him and the care aids became his extended family. He loved to tease them any chance he could and he loved the attention they gave him. He always looked forward to Bingo on Thursday's!

On his last day here in the hospital one of the girls from the Lodge came to his room to check on him and told him that he needed to hurry and get better soon they missed him in long term care, she leaned over and gave him a kiss on the forehead and he replied "That's Nice" as a tear rolled down his cheek.

Dan enjoyed many past times over the years. He loved to fish and many evenings he could be found at Harris reservoir. A few of his favourite spots were Cypress Lake, and Duncairin. One of his last and probably most memorable fishing trips was a trip north to Canoe Lake with his son-in-law Glen, brother Lorne and Lorne's son-in-laws Dale & Ken. I am sure lots of shenanigans went on there, as both Dan & Lorne were known for their practical jokes.

He loved to travel the country side looking for the perfect Saskatoon bush and he would pick and pick until his hands were purple — coming home with pails of Saskatoons that mom would have to clean and then bake pies (l think Saskatoon was his favourite pie with vanilla ice cream) although he wouldn't turn down any dessert.

Dan also enjoyed playing cards, crib, rummy, rookie and bingo. He loved his hockey games and was a fan of the Maple Creek Hawks for many years. I remember attending many hockey games in our old rink with Dad. He was also a Saskatchewan Roughriders fan and he kept their schedule handy beside his favourite chair. He loved the Blue Jays and in the hospital the last afternoon he was awake he watched the All Stars game with his son-in-law.

Dan leaves to cherish his memory his wife Bernice and daughter Sheila (Glen) Kendrick, granddaughter Sheridan Kendrick of Ottawa, Ont. and grandson Spencer Kendrick of Medicine Hat, AB.

Dan is also survived by his brother Harry Kobitz of Maple Creek, Gordon (Elaine) Kobitz, of Medicine Hat, Bobby (Lorraine) Kobitz of Swift Current, Ken (Shirley) Kobitz of Brooks, AB and his sister Jane Kobitz of Maple Creek; and many nieces and nephews.

Dan was predeceased by his parents Mike & Anna Kobitz, brothers — Tom, Lorne and sister Ethel. Mother and father- in-law Frank and Magdalena Kuntz and brother-in-law Jack Kuntz.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Dan Kobitz, please visit our floral store.