Rev Ivan Fulford

Ivan Fulford died peacefully, early Sunday morning on March 14, 2021 with family by his side, at the age of 107. He will be missed by special friend, Olga Rock, sons: Doug (Velda) and Ken (Lynda), daughters: Pat Chimney, Lois (Jim) Aitken, Betty (Murray) McClure and Dawne Fulford (Al), brother Keith (Alfreda) and sister Norma, along with 24 grandchildren, 55 great grandchildren and 22 great-great grandchildren.

He was predeceased  by wife Bernice (nee Godin), father Alfred (Doc), mother Tina (nee McLeod), son Gordon, granddaughter Holly, son-in-law Don, and great great grandson Kale, brothers Hugh, Jim and Dal, sisters Freda, Alda and Jean, and sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law.

Ivan was born in Mather, Manitoba and in 1934 moved with his parents to Minitonas, MB. Dad loved to farm and in the early years worked in the bush cutting and hauling logs to the mill. He married Bernice Godin in 1937 and they farmed until 1954 when with a family of six moved to Oakland, MB.  There he served as a student minister in the Oakland Church while attending college. Their seventh child arrived while ministering there. When he got his degree in 1958, he accepted a call to the United Church at Grandview, MB.  He also ministered at Wiseton and Pelly, SK.  Dad was known for his ability to reach people in a special way – he assisted his parishioners when help was needed, and especially loved, in the midst of his ministerial work to help farmers with the harvest. He was the leader in planning and building a new church in Grandview. Each year during summer holidays the car was loaded down with tenting supplies and family travelled across Canada and into the States.  When Dad retired in 1976 he returned to farming at Pelly, where he and mom bought a homestead and built it into a ranch called Revs Rolling Ranch.  Family and grandkids loved to visit the Ranch. Dad was a hard-working man and visiting grandkids were taught to ride a horse, lasso a cow, drive a tractor, ride a baler and much more. They learned hard work in cutting trees down for firewood and pulling the logs out of the bush with a horse.  Grandkids loved him dearly but found out he was not a man to be reckoned with, especially in a game of crib. Dad taught us the value of family, and oh, how he loved a family sing song.  He also enjoyed a good debate with whoever would argue.  In his mid-seventies he and mom took up downhill skiing and joined in family ski trips in the Rockies.  Dad loved riding his horse and he was able to ride into his nineties. He loved to dance and was able to until he was 103.

We will remember him sitting in the rocking chair in the big kitchen window looking out down into the valley … the dances at weekend family get-togethers  at Wellman Lake church camp …  the beautiful  rendition of “Be present at our table Lord” sang before every meal.  And we will remember the crumpled farm hat, the worn coveralls, his chuckles and his humming a tune while working away.  Dad/Grandpa, your chuckles will be echoed in our hearts forever.  You instilled values and morals and have left us with memories and love to cherish for a lifetime - thank you for the wonderful legacy.  Your work is done now – Rest In Peace.

Special thanks to Dads caregivers at Gateway Lodge for their kindness to Dad, and the excellent care he received.   We are truly grateful to all staff there.  Memorial service will be planned later in the spring/summer.

In lieu of flowers donations can be sent to:  The Canora Gateway Lodge Auxilliary, Box 1387, Canora, SK, S0A 0L0, to a charity of your choice, or to pass on kindness to someone.

Funeral arrangements in care of Andrychuk Funeral Home in Kamsack, SK.