Gordon Ralph Faulkner

Gordon Ralph Faulkner, born Sept 18, 1934; a rancher and life-long resident of the Maple Creek, and Cypress Hills area, died unexpectedly on June 25, 2022 at home in Maple Creek.

Gordon is survived by his wife of 56 years, Julie Faulkner (nee Mestdagh); his children Corbett (Charity); Carla, and Fiona (Dale) Udal.  Gordon will be lovingly remembered by his three grandchildren Connor, Morgan, and Hannah.  Gordon is also survived by his sister Shirl (Johnny) Hester.  He was predeceased by his parents Harry and Maisie, and his sister Win Walker.

When growing up in the Cypress Hills (on what is now the Ehret place south of the west block), Dad and his sisters Win and Shirl initially went to Fox School.  They sometimes traveled to school by pony and cart with big sister Win driving (is it possible to have a lead foot when driving a pony cart?).  Other times they went horseback, with all three riding on one horse.  This trip was reportedly uphill both ways. Gordon also received some schooling while living with Albert and Sylvia Noble and family at the old Symons-Noble cabin on the Benson flat.  After this, he went to school briefly at Merryflat, and finally boarded out in Maple Creek for two years to conclude his formal education.

As a young man, Gordon worked for various local ranchers.  His first job was with his cousin Fay Beierbach.  He always said Johnny and Fay treated him like a son, and he appreciated the knowledge he gained with them.  He found work where he could…with a saw mill in the hills, hauling grain for various farms in Southern Alberta, and as a ranch hand at Fort Walsh when it served as the remount station for the RCMP.  Through all these jobs, he developed many talents, he even had a short stint in the movies helping out with “The Canadian’s” when it was filmed in the early 60’s and later contributed to the community book “From Sage to Timber”.

He bought his first place (the old Le Barge place west of Fort Walsh) in 1956 and ranched there while working at Fort Walsh.  The experience he gained during his time with the remount station stayed with him through his life, Gordon was called upon by many neighbors for his equine knowledge and skills, and he continued to amaze his family with tidbits of knowledge until the end.

On June 19th, 1965 Gordon and his partner in crime, Jerry Swanson went to town after a branding.  Gordon was introduced to Julie through Jerry’s fiancee Carol.  It must have been a notable evening because twelve days later he proposed for the first time.  However, Julie had other ideas as she had a trip planned to B.C. for a month.  Shortly after returning to Maple Creek, Gordon arrived on Julie’s doorstep and proposed for the second (and final time).  Gordon and Julie married on November 24, 1965.

In February of 1966, Gordon purchased the Stemkowski farm (about 14 miles southwest of town).  They continued to trail their cattle to the old Le Barge place every spring, returning to the farm each fall.  Both Corbett and Carla were born while Gordon was on the farm.

In 1969, Gordon sold both the old Le Barge place and the Stemkowski farm.  He then bought the Halverson ranch in the Cypress Hills.  This is where the family lived when Fiona arrived and where all three children were raised.  Corbett and his family live there now, something Gordon was incredibly proud of.

As a young man, Gordon started rodeoing.  He won various buckles in Wild Cow Milking and Calf Roping.  He also won a trophy for Steer Decorating.  He held a lifelong love and appreciation for the sport and was a familiar face at rodeos all over the country, including a trip to Las Vegas with Edward to take in the National Finals.  He was proud of local talent, especially his son Corbett, and had a keen eye for a good ride and a hard to ride horse.

The 1974 bucking horse sale in Maple Creek proved eventful for Gordon.  He brought a mare that he had been using to pull his sleigh.  The horse would kick and otherwise act up when hitched to the sleigh, so it was time for that horse to find a new career.  As she came out of the chute, she bucked so hard that her rider didn’t last any time at all.  This led to Mata Hari going to the Calgary Stampede where she bucked for years.

Gordon’s focus on the ranch was his cattle herd.  He started with hereford cattle and over the years transitioned to black angus.  A progressive thinker, he was always looking for ways to improve his land, herd or operation.  In the early 80s he bought a place in Malta, Montana hoping to expand his operation and diversify.  This venture was cut short due to restrictions on using Canadian labour and the general time shortage and challenge of being in two places at the same time.  He was an avid reader and had a good eye for a cow.  A compliment from him at your branding was something every neighbor cherished.  He would travel miles and miles to look at a bull or to shows like Agribition to check out the new equipment and handling systems in the industry.  Through the years, Gordon also raised many fine horses.  He was a member of the Cypress Hills Registered Quarter Horse Association for a number of years and his breeding lines are still found carrying cowboys across the hills today.

Being part of the Cypress Hills community was special to Gordon.  His family arrived in the hills in 1902.  The founding Faulkner family was William Corbett and his wife Ella Burns.  Ella’s mother, Isabella Burns, lived with them.  Their homestead was west of Merryflat on what is now the Beierbach place.  He built upon this foundation with his wife Julie and is now carried on through Corbett and his family.  He worked with and was friends with many families for multiple generations. He will be missed and remembered by all as a kind, gentle pillar of our community.

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