John Wilbraham
1934 - 2021

On the afternoon of Sunday, February 21, 2021, John William Wilbraham, late of Regina, Sask. and formerly of Manor and Alameda, Sask. passed peacefully into eternal life with family by his side at the age of 86 years.

John’s memory will be forever cherished by his loving family: wife Edna Clemens; daughter Cindy (Dale) Hokanson; grandsons: Kelly Hokanson and Kyle Hokanson (Cassy Smart); brother-in-law: Bill (Kay) Morton; nieces: Janice (Colin) MacDonald, Krista Morton (Chad Huene) and Virginia Dietze; nephews: Willie (Michelle) Wilbraham and Wade (Sherry) Wilbraham. He is also survived by his step children: Dianne Martel (Kevin Wagner), Donald (Carol) Clemens and Laurie (Wendy) Clemens, as well as six step grandchildren and seven step great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his first wife Jean Wilbraham (Morton); parents: Billy & Isabella (Haygarth) Wilbraham; brother Tom Wilbraham; sisters-in-law: Alice Wilbraham and Mildred Curtis; nephews: Wayne Wilbraham and Robbie Wilbraham.

John was born on May 4, 1934 in Alameda. He attended Holbrook and Sanderingham schools part time as he often had to stay home to help his mother on the farm. As a youngster, he belonged to the 4-H beef and grain clubs. He went on to attend the School of Agriculture in Saskatoon, graduating in 1954. He took leadership of the Alameda 4-H Beef Club in 1955 retaining leadership for six years then assistant leader for the following 18 years. He joined the Alameda Masonic Lodge in 1958 and has been an active mason for 63 years. He served as Master many times as well as District Deputy Grand Master for District 8 of Grand Lodge of Saskatchewan. He met Jean Morton of Kisbey, Sask. and they were married on August 6, 1960. They spent the winter of 1960-61 in Saskatoon where Jean attended university and John worked at the U of S farm. In the spring, they returned to Alameda, starting a new farmstead north of Alameda. They were blessed with one daughter, Cindy in 1962. Jean and John were active members of the Alameda Agricultural Society. John was instrumental in getting the Alameda Auction Mart going. He was a director of the Alameda 4-H Regional Show & Sale for 12 years and sat on the Alameda Auction Mart Board for 10 years. He also served several years on the Selection Committee for the Annual Bull Sale. Jean & John joined Order of the Eastern Star in 1968 and served as Worthy Matron and Worthy Patron many times. Together, Jean and John operated a grain and cattle farm. Shortly after celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary, Jean passed away. Since Jean was an equal partner in their farming operation, John had to reduce his workload accordingly and develop new and innovative ways to do things alone. Being alone was lonely so he met and married Edna Clemens from Manor in 2007. They were excellent company for each other for 13 years. John sold the farm in 2009 and moved to Manor where they resided for 9 years until moving to Victoria Park Personal Care Home in Regina in the fall of 2018 where they resided until his passing. John enjoyed trips to Alberta, Ontario and Hawaii as well as went on cruises to the Panama Canal and Alaska.

A private Celebration of John's life was held on Thursday, March 4, 2021 at 1:30 p.m. at the Alameda United Church, Alameda, Sask. with Rev. Jackie van't Voort officiating. Interment followed at the Alameda Cemetery.

If friends so desire, donations in John’s memory may be made to the Masonic Benevolent Fund, c/o Grand Lodge of Saskatchewan, 1930 Lorne Street, Regina, SK, S4P 2M1 or the Alameda 4-H Beef Club, Box 60, Oxbow, SK, S0C 2B0.

Hall Funeral Services in Estevan provided care to John's family - Dustin Hall, Funeral Director.