Obituary of Howard Garfield Loker

LOKER, Howard Garfield was called home to glory on the morning of January 8, 2018 at the age of 93.  He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Velma Christina, his parents David and Elizabeth Loker, and all six of his siblings and their spouses.  Howard is survived by his three children Lynda (Brian) Dunn, Dave Loker, and Marian Anderson; his three grand-children Stephannie (Marcus) Dunn, Stephen (Chelsea) Dunn, and Aaron Anderson; his six great-grandchildren Jake Duquette, Haylee Duquette, Justin Dunn, Mikala Dunn, Mason Dunn and Blake Anderson; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Howard Loker was born November 25, 1924 in South Dumfries Township near St. George, Ontario.  He was the youngest of his six siblings.  He and his brothers and sisters helped their parents on the farm which was a market garden farm and greenhouse.  He was enrolled in a one-roomed school, and at the age of 14 started to work with his father as a plasterer.  Howard went on to become a journeyman plasterer.   On July 26, 1945, he married the love of his life, Velma Christina MacDougall and they moved to their first farm on the Blue Lake Road.  On August 11, 1949 they welcomed their first child, a daughter, Lynda Louise into the world, followed by their only son David Howard on June 19, 1952. The family was made complete on March 31, 1955 when Marian Denise was born. 

Howard continued with Market Garden farming until 1979 when he and Velma moved to Coldwater, Ontario.  Howard officially retired in 1995 and they moved to Nipawin, Saskatchewan in 2003 due to Velma's failing health.  His love of gardening however, continued all throughout his life and just this past summer season, Howard could be seen working in his garden at any given time.  Howard was an avid supporter of the Nipawin Museum and could be seen every Canada Day running the flour mill. He also enjoyed travelling to different parts of Canada in the past five years, including his summer 2017 trips to BC and Ontario.

Howard was a devout Christian man, attending both the First Baptist Church and the Holiness Church in Nipawin.   The unconditional love and thirst for knowledge that Howard had for God and His Word was a great encouragement to many and a shining example to all. Howard lived his entire life for this final trip.