Obituary of Leonard H. Neufeld

Leonard H. Neufeld was born in January, 1920 in a log cabin on the farm homestead in the Lost River district. He died on Jan 30, 2021 in Saskatoon, just 10 days after he turned 101 years old. Dad grew up on the farm in Lost River where he learned to milk the cow, clean the barn, and look after the livestock. He was the engineer on the threshing machine, worked the fields as a teenager. When the family moved to Codette, he began doing bookwork for his father's seed company and started analyzing seed. At the age of 21, Dad enlisted in the Army and eventually served as a stretcher bearer in the 10th Canadian Field Ambulance. He crossed the channel on July 9, 1944 and saw action in France, Belgium, and Holland, closing out the war in Germany. After the war, he returned to Nipawin and married Frances Gray in 1948. Then he worked construction in B.C. driving welding trucks, Euclids, and dump trucks. In 1956 he began working at Newfield Seeds and later at his father's seed plant, H.G. Neufeld and Co. Dad farmed his own land for 15 years from 1966 to 1981. He then rented the land out when he retired. Dad always said the happiest part of his life was when he was farming. He found peace sitting on the tractor seeding or harvesting in the fall. Dad was very active in retirement golfing, bowling, and curling. He learned to play the guitar in his 60's and played with the Golden Fiddlers for 17 years. He and mom went to the old time dances in Carrot River and traveled to Sarnia, Toronto, and California to visit relatives. He wrote his memoirs at the age of 88. While in Pioneer House in Nipawin, he was remembered for his joking and caring nature. In Saskatoon, he continued to take exercise classes in his 90's. He continued to be a prolific reader of historical novels and history biographies. Leonard was predeceased by his father, H. G. Neufeld and his mother, Anna Neufeld; his loving wife, Francis (2006); his brothers: Richard, Leslie, Brian, and Arthur; and his sisters: Leonora, Elvina, Verna, and Donelda. He is survived by his children: Dennis (Francoise) Neufeld, Wayne Neufeld, David (Marlene) Neufeld and Della (Randy) Joinson; his grandchildren: Eric (Lisa) Neufeld, Jennifer Neufeld, Shay (Alyssa) Neufeld, Calder (Annissa) Neufeld, Chad (Amanda) Joinson, and Connor (Sara) Joinson; and great grandchildren: Leah Neufeld, Alex Neufeld; his brother, Edward (Arlette) Neufeld of Mississauga; and many nieces and nephews. Private family service will be held in August, 2021 with interment at Mabel Hill Cemetery.