Obituary of Vernon Stanley Hibbard

Vernon Hibbard passed away peacefully with loved ones by his side on Sunday Jan. 8, 2017 Vernon was predeceased by his parents, Stanley and Marguerite Hibbard; wives, Florence Hibbard and Freda Hibbard; daughter Wanda Hibbard; grandson Tyrel Hibbard; brother Leonard Hibbard; sisters May Zyla and Doris Black. He is survived by his son Glenn (Sharon) Hibbard; grandchildren, Kim (Brian) Cook and family: Jasmine Cook (Kyle and Ryker Rosenau); Kristy (Jarrad) Skuce and family: Mackenzie, Logan, Kaitlyn and Spencer; Cherie (Cory) Roysum and family: Cheyanne, Jens and Ty; and Brad (Megan) Hibbard and son Damien; sister Agnes (Raymond) Ayotte; son-in-law Bill Fraser; special friend Dianne Audette; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Vernon Stanley Hibbard was born on June 23, 1925 on his dad’s homestead NW 15-2-21 W2nd. One of the best times of Vernon’s life was his preschool era. He was with his dad a lot, as his older brother and sister were at school. He would ride on the steel wheel tractor and even go to sleep on it. He would also go with his dad in the truck. Vernon found school boring, as he didn't like school. They had school all summer with holidays in the winter. It was hot in July and August at school. In 1940 he received his grade 8 certificate of which he was quite proud. After graduation he took a job at Snuggin's farm making summer follow with a steel wheel McDeering tractor. This job was from daylight to dark which was the average farm day. He received a dollar a day with board and he slept in the granary. The payment was half cash and the balance was paid when the crop was in. He did this for two weeks, the only time he ever worked out in his life. Then he went back home to help with the haying and harvesting. That fall Vernon worked on his dads threshing outfit. It was heavy work and after about three days, on a hot windy day he said to his dad, I just can't take this any longer. His dad told him you can't quit so he went out for another load of bundles and soon forgot about his troubles. After harvest Vernon received some money for his labors and at 15 bought his first bicycle. To Vernon this was wheels something he had always wanted and he used it a lot, even went to dances with it. In 1942 he got his first car, a 1928 Pontiac coupe. When he was 18 he bought his first big truck, as he always wanted to have something to generate income so he hauled grain and coal locally and cattle to Regina. After the war he kept on trucking and also rented quite a bit of land. He farmed with his dad's old tractor and did this for a couple of years and decided that if he didn't own the land it wasn't worth his while. He never rented land again. Then Vernon went to the states combining, starting in Oklahoma, and working his way back. He had bought a used 21 Massey. This was quite a profitable venture. On November 19, 1947 Vernon married Florence Telenga. In the spring of 1949 Vernon took over the BA Oil business and sold gas by the barrel. It worked out quite well for him as the product was consigned. He also purchased an old building and moved into it on Main Street in Minton. He did repairs of autos and tractors at that time and he also had the Dray business and hauled the mail from the train to the post office twice a week. Vernon’s business was known as Central Service. He had very little in the line of tools and equipment making it slow going, but in 1953 a bulk fuel delivery truck was added to make fuel deliveries to farm fuel tanks and at this time oil heat became a common thing which made this a year-round business. In June,1950, Vernon and Florence had their first child, a son, Glenn Wayne. In that same year Vernon also became a Case dealer. In 1951 he added to the building to make a larger shop. In August, 1953, Vernon and Florence had another addition to the family their daughter Wanda Lou. Wanda, completed their family. In 1960, sometime after Vernon's father passed away he bought the home farm with financing support from his mother. He had livestock along with farming and operated this with hired help. Glenn and Sharon were married in 1971 and they moved to the farm and took over operating the Hibbard farm. In 1968 Vernon, Incorporated his business…Hibbard Equipment Ltd. and it is still in operation today. Owned and operated by Dennis, Elaine and Blair Simpart. Vernon often commented that he considered himself very fortunate to come from a good home where his parents were well educated, well read and had a broad outlook on life. His parents were good teachers according to Vernon. They taught him and his siblings to work for what they got and be honest. Vernon had a lifetime career in the community of Minton, and it was good to him. It’s the people that make a community feel like family. Vernon was very involved in the community and served on many boards. He was always so very proud of the Minton Elks and their many contributions to the community. Vernon always told his grandkids he tried to learn something new everyday. Vernon spent many enjoyable hours on his computer. For his 90 birthday he received a laptop from his family. He always told them he was so glad he lived long enough to learn how to use a computer. Vernon loved dancing and playing cards. Canasta was his favorite. Vernon loved to travel. Glenn remembers fondly the trips they would take with his mom & dad, when Wanda and he were younger. He traveled to many different countries, and went on several cruises and he clocked up many many miles on the motor home both in the US and Canada. He enjoyed wintering in Arizona for 25 plus years. When he came home his family wanted to go the places he had been, just by listening to his stories. Vernon was never in a hurry and he always said if you get lost, then you got to see something you hadn’t planned on seeing. He loved people and he enjoyed so many lifelong friendships. He made a habit of keeping in close touch with special friends even until just a few months before he died. Vernon loved going to restaurants and so enjoyed taking someone to a special eating place he found in his travels. Vernon carried a deep sadness inside losing his Grandson Tyrel at 30 in 2002 and his daughter Wanda, his Susie, at 60 in 2013. He missed them both dearly and spoke of them almost every day. Vernon adored his grandkids! Tyrel was Grandpa Vernon’s shadow when he was little and loved spending time with him. There was nothing he enjoyed more than family get togethers at Glenn & Sharon’s farm when the whole family was home at Christmas or Easter! He would sit quietly in his chair and take it all in and love every moment. Tyrel, Kim, Kristy, Cherie and Brad loved Grandpa’s shish kabobs and silver dollar pancakes, special treats he always made when they were little. The Grandkids and Great Grandkids all enjoyed just listening to Grandpa tell stories and learning more about all he accomplished in life. Each time they always learned something new they didn’t know about him. The cookie cupboard was also a favorite at Grandpa Vernon’s house. With the birth of little Ryker’s there were 5 generations in the Hibbard Family! And all the grandkids would agree Vernon was a “Great”great-grandpa! A highlight of Vernon’s life was when The Hibbard Family Farm celebrated its 100th Anniversary! He was always so interested in what was happening on the farm. Every Harvest he always came for a ride with Glenn in the combine! In 2014 he parked his walker in the field and with Glenn and Blair’s help into the combine, Vernon celebrated his 74th harvest. This past June Vernon was so proud when at 91 he renewed his driver’s license for 5 years. Even though he no longer drove anymore! The last 4 plus years of Vernon’s life were spent between College Park 1 and College Park 2 retirement homes. The staff of both places, we hope, will remember Vernon for his quick wit and his sharp mind. He thoroughly enjoyed the sometimes-sarcastic banter between himself and the staff. In August 2010 Mike Mack wrote a blog after interviewing Vernon, titled: Life Lessons…..from Wisdom! The following is what Mike wrote: Vernon has been a longtime family friend, former boss and life mentor to me. I have known Vernon my entire life! He is 85 years young and I regard him as one of the brightest business minds that I know. We always enjoy meaningful discussion on the phone, or when we are together. I always find time in my schedule when traveling to Saskatchewan to see Vernon, because I always learn something. (I also apply my longtime guiding principle here as well. ” I am glad I did visit him……………….vs. I wish I had.”) I asked Vernon recently, what he regarded as his Life Lessons in the past 85 Years. Here are some of Vernon’s thoughts: He said “Mike, you are like me…, your ears are eager to hear and learn”. I guess it is true, because I always can listen to absolutely anything Vernon has to say, regardless of topic. When he was in his early teens and his parents would visit the neighbors on the farm, Vernon would sit with the adults, vs. play with the kids his age, as he wanted to learn something. Vernon, said, “You should always learn as you go.” When he started his Farm Equipment dealership in 1949 he earned solid customers and they trusted him and he in turn trusted them. They had confidence in him, as a businessman. Vernon noted that “today, the world is changing so fast….you need to keep up!” Are you keeping up Mike?? He’s a man that always has a passion for learning and seeing the world and loves to travel. Vernon stated, “nature is becoming more of my enjoyment…..it is great to see Mother Nature’s work.” That would explain his passion for farming and for travel. He has a lot less focus on business today, and the fact that he can see his grand Kids, and now great grand kids grow-up, is very important to him, as well. “They are true enjoyment!” He noted that the difference with your kids and your grand kids is that you tell your kids to “slowdown” and now you get to watch the grand kids run! As Vernon and I shared some deep dialogue about life back in 2009, when he treated me to a steak dinner, while I was in Regina, he commented about the changes we experience in life. He said, “Mike, nothing lasts for ever…..we change, and people change and go in different directions……just accept it.” This was very valuable advice for me at the time. I asked Vernon what he would like to be remembered for. He laughed, and said, “I am not sure I should be remembered for anything, other than the fact that I am No different than anyone else. I looked after myself, and loved what I did in business and loved my family and tried to enjoy life.” I know for certain that he truly loved what he did from a business perspective. He said, “If I had to do it all over again……………..I would.” Vernon’s mind was sharp right to the end. His family is going to miss calling him up whenever they wanted to know about someone or something from years ago. Vernon always had the answers for our many questions! Vernon was such a special part of our lives and we will miss him dearly but we have so many cherished memories we will treasure forever. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Speers Funeral Home in Regina. A celebration of Vernon’s life was held at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church on Friday Jan. 13th, 2017. For those so wishing donations in Memory of Vernon can be made to a charity of your choice.