Obituary of Emerson Grahame Tornquist

Emerson Grahame Tornquist was born in Nipawin to Peter and Reta Tornquist and raised on the family farm at White Fox, Emerson also known at Turk, attended school in White Fox and helped with farm duties and chores before moving to Winnipeg for employment. That was followed by a move to Saskatoon and later to the Alberta oil industry. He also was active as a guide, outfitter, fisheries worker and then back to oil related work at Grande Prairie Alberta. Friends were an important part of his life and he loved to visit, compare experiences, share jokes and stories, serve and assist with whatever was required. Emerson loved fishing and hunting and his all-time favourite place was his cabin and the Churchill River in the Sandy Bay – Island Falls area. He had worked and fished most of the major water bodies in Saskatchewan, Lakes, Athabasca, Wollaston, Reindeer, Lac La Ronge, Deschambault, Jan, Pelican, Mirond, Ile a la Crosse and so on. He also worked as a guide in the Northwest Territories at Selwyn Lake. During these times he gained acquaintances and friends from every walk of life including many great persons of Metis and First Nations ancestry. A massive stroke in the year 2000 resulted in the inability to talk and write consequently the next twenty years were very frustrating for him. He had always been one to visit and loved to share jokes/funnies. Many, many friends and dedicated workers helped him at the various homes and facilities in which he resided through his last twenty years. He was predeceased by his parents and older sister Naideen. He is survived by his brother Torance (Bernice) of Nipawin, daughters Marsha, Alene, Dena and Leona and their children, his grandchildren all of which he loved dearly, two nephews in Australia, nephews and nieces in Saskatchewan and Alberta. And now we can post a notice on his behalf that says: ‘GONE FISHING’. Private Family Service at a later date.