Obituary of Glenn Grassing

Glenn passed away in St Paul’s Hospital, Saskatoon peacefully on June 18^th 2024. Ironically, this was twenty-five years to the day of his mother’s passing.

     Glenn was born in June 1947, the third child to Violet and Paul Grassing of Pas Trail district, Mixed Farm NE of Nipawin. The family continued to grow through 1965, with nine children in total, plus 2 nephew brothers making for a total of eleven children.

     Glenn started his schooling at Reno Hill Country School, travelling by horse until 1963 and finished by travelling by bus to Carrot River. Previously, the two oldest brothers went to school in Nipawin as Country Schooling ended in Grade 8.  When Tobin Lake was being planned and Flooded the Farm picked up extra north leased land to grow to decent size. Electricity in the area was turned on Christmas Eve 1958. Later phone service arrived in late 1972. The last crop year on the farm was 1983 with the passing of Paul on Jan 5^th 1977. Violet and all the children kept the farm going till then with Glenn living in Nipawin focusing on its success.

     Glenn apprenticed in Nipawin and schooled in Saskatoon to be an Automotive Mechanic.  He worked over 30 Years at Nipawin Chrysler Dodge then onto Coop Service to finish his career. Glenn had a rare ability to quickly diagnose and come to the best solution for any mechanical problem. Glenn was always ready to help anyone in need even if it meant leaving his own tasks that he was working on.

     Glenn married Barb Yates with daughters Angela and Maria from a previous marriage. In December 1976, son Karl was added to the family. Summer holidays had many trips to the Mountains. This marriage ended in the late 1990s. Karl stayed in the Nipawin family home while Angela and Maria lived with their families in Alberta.

     Glenn loved the bush, so on weekends, he was often out snowmobiling or ATVing on unique adventures.

     In retirement, Glenn had more time for his passion: museums. He had his Steam Ticket and a great love for old tractors etc. At this time, Glenn met in Saskatoon, his wife Hope and her son David. Hope is of Ridgedale Farm origin. Hope was at his bedside until Glenn’s passing. Angela, Maria, Karl and the grandchildren made many loving trips to Saskatoon during Glenn’s last 14 months of hospitalization and Care Home. Glenn also had many visits from his siblings and so many caring friends from his large social circle.

     Glenn’s health went bad in 1975 with a rare Autoimmune Hepatitis. Glenn lived with his condition until in 1993 he received a liver transplant at an Edmonton Hospital. This was an amazingly successful operation which gave Glenn almost 31 more years with his new liver. During the last 14 months of his life, Glenn’s health declined. In his last hours of life, Glenns mind was perfect as he was planning his path forward and saying his goodbyes to all!