Obituary of Laurie Lonson

Laurie Lonson was born in Aylsham, Saskatchewan in September 1934. He was born to Hjalmer and Evelyn Lonson and grew up in Carrot River.  Laurie attended Cosmo country school and later Carrot River Town School but school not being his forte, he ventured out to seek his fortune. He had various jobs doing construction work, and in lumber camps but his true love was always farming.

On April 24, 1959, he married the girl next door, Donna (Crooks) and to this union came three sons, Kris, Jeffrey and Darin. In 1966, they were granted 4 quarters of bush and years were spent clearing bush, and picking roots and rocks. The first tractor Laurie had was an Oliver 88 and a Massey 80 combine, and his love for farming began. Eventually, his farming operation grew when Laurie and Donna purchased the lease land, along with Donna’s father’s land, and the Lonson home quarter. He especially loved to farm on the quarters out East in Smoky Burn because there was more elbow room there.

Outside of the farming season, Laurie liked to downhill ski, play hockey, curl, and dance. He was involved with the Carrot River Lions Club in the 80’s. He was a crew member of the coffee row and heading to town for coffee was a highlight of his day.  Many who played hockey still remember him as ‘coach’. He loved watching his children play hockey and eventually got the opportunity to watch his great-grandchildren play hockey up until he moved into the Carrot River Care Home on November 5, 2020. He will be remembered for the ways he helped his family, especially his grandchildren who he always had a soft spot for.

Laurie was predeceased by his parents, Hjalmer and Evelyn Lonson; his brothers, Murray and Lorne; his sisters, Sybil (Lorne) Duccomun, Margaret (Louis) Slonski and Beatrice Lonson; and his in-laws, Reg Farish, Blaine and Marie Crooks, Bertha and Demet Slusar.

He is survived by his wife, Donna; his children, Kris (Colleen), Jeffrey (Kathy), Darin (Diane); granddaughters Holly (Henry) Wiens, Renee (Jason) Abraham, Ashley (Jeremy) Lonson, Liane (Matt) Carson, Paige (Grant) Lonson, and Cassia Honeker; great-grandchildren, David, Jayden, Brynlee, Corbin, Vance, Irelyn, and Lian; his twin sister, Lorraine Farish; his step-grandchildren, Kristin, Shane and Chantell and their families; his nephew, Ken (Karen) Lonson; and numerous nephews, nieces, great nephews and great nieces.