Obituary of Walter Henry Powell

With heavy hearts, we announce that Walter Henry Powell of Regina, Saskatchewan, died peacefully, surrounded by family, on the evening of November 10th, 2009 at Regina General Hospital. Walter was born in Portreeve, May 18th, 1924 and was married to his loving wife Elizabeth (Betty) Schmaltz for 58 years. Walter and Betty raised a wonderful family. The family lived and thrived in Portreeve, SK, and in the middle years in Craik, and later Walters family and children resided in either Regina or Saskatoon. Walter was the youngest boy of a family of 10 children: Betty Erickson, Doris Watson, Eleanor Nordlund, Violet (Vi) Sharpe McLeod, Bert Powell, Bob Powell, Alan Francis (Al) Powell, William Bernard (Billy) Powell and Glen Edward Powell. Walter is predeceased by his father, James Powell; mother, Mary (May) McCann; brothers, Bert, Bob, Al, Billy, Glen; sisters, Eleanor Nordlund and Doris Watson. He has two surviving sisters, Betty Erickson of Abbey and Vi Sharpe McLeod of Shawnigan Lake, B.C. Walter was a quiet, modest man of few words. He had many notable achievements, being a WW2 veteran who served as a Mid-Upper Gunner in the Royal Canadian Air Force, stationed at Skipton-on-Swale, UK with the 433 Porcupine Squadron. He was very close to his crew, with one surviving member Martin G. Enser in the UK. After the war, Walter farmed in the Portreeve area and later he became a business man owning the Craik Hotel for 18 years with his wife, Betty. Walter excelled in sports, playing hockey, third base with the 1950 Swift Current Indians and 1949/1950 Sceptre ball clubs and skipping several winning curling teams, including the 1954-1955 Saskatchewan Alberta Canadian Legion Curling Championship. He was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion in Abbey and Craik. He was an avid fisherman and hunter. The family grew up on a diet of fresh water fish, ducks, geese, partridge, pheasant, and deer, in addition to fresh produce from the garden. Walter loved gardening and crossword puzzles, and in his later years, bingo. After his heart attack, he was driven daily to bingo and about town by the friendly Co-op Taxi drivers. Walter appreciated his friendships with the community of taxi drivers and bingo players, who always inquired about his health. Walter and Betty had 4 children and 6 wonderful grandchildren and he was very proud of all of them. In birth order, the children are Joan Powell/Baron of Regina (Terry Tuharsky); Ernie Powell of Regina, (Diane Perkins) and 3 children Lee, Landen and Logan Powell; Gloria Powell of Saskatoon, (Ken Falk) and 2 children, Erica Falk of Toronto and David Falk, Saskatoon: and Kelly Powell of Saskatoon, (Daphne Lane) and son Lukas Powell. Walter suffered a heart attack in 1999 and received 6 way by-pass surgery, expertly performed by the staff at Regina General Hospital. In May, 2009 he was hospitalized and cared for by his devoted wife Betty who faithfully visited every day. The family extends their thanks to Wascana Rehabilitation Center for their excellent care of Walter since August, 2009, and also to the staff at Regina General Emergency Services for their compassionate care during his last hours. A celebration of Walters life will be held on Monday, November 16, 2009 at 1:30PM at Speers Funeral Chapel, 2136 College Avenue, Regina. Interment to follow at Riverside Memorial Park. An online book of condolences may be signed at www.speersfuneralchapel.com.