Jacob John Baran

December 9, 1938 - November 28, 2024

Loving husband, father, brother, uncle, cousin and friend passed away peacefully, with family by his side, on November 28, 2024.

John was predeceased by his parents Jacob (1975) and Louise (nee Kalczcki) (1977); 2 siblings in infancy; brothers: Stan (Cathy), Joe (Kay), Raymond (Helen), William “Bill” and Michael and his wife Verna in 2014.

Johnny is survived by his sister-in-law Joan; children: Chris (Vivian) Baran, Celine (Paul) Thompson and Melissa (Garry) Johnson; grandchildren: Shae-Lynn, Ethan (Leanne), Isaac, Trey, Kohl (Susie), Caleb, Liam, Sayde, Ella and Jett and great-grandchildren: Elijah, Oliver and Adeline.

John was born on December 9, 1938 on the family farm NW 30-18-9 W2, Ellisboro District to Jack and Louise Baran. At just 7 years old, John would make the 1.5-mile trek north of the farm to the one room schoolhouse, Enfield S.D. No. 3269, by bike in the summer and horseback in winter. John would finish his education at Campion College in Regina. In 1956, at the age of 17, John enlisted in the Navy at HMCS Queen in Regina. His basic training took him from the prairies, across Canada, to the Naval Training Base, Cornwallis at Deep Brook, Nova Scotia. From there, John’s 5 years of service in the Royal Canadian Navy would take him places we can only dream of seeing. John served on the HMCS Cornwallis, HMCS New Glasgow and HMCS Beacon Hill, which was primarily based in the South Pacific. John’s service in the Navy allowed him to venture to the west coast of Canada and the US, Fiji, Hawaii and Mexico. After serving 5 years in the Navy, John was honourably discharged on July 24, 1961. Upon his return to Saskatchewan, John began working as a welder in Regina. His work as a welder would then take him out to Victoria, BC. After working as a welder for four years, John decided to return to Saskatchewan in 1965 and take over the family farm. In 1966, John married Verna Svingen. John and Verna went on to have three children: Christopher John (1968), Celine Elizabeth Louise (1970) and Melisa Lenore Annette (1975). The couple would raise their children on the family farm, instilling in them a love for the land, flowers and gardening, respect for animals and an appreciation for being raised near the valley. In 2012, after 50+ years of living on the Baran farm, John retired to Wolseley, SK. John’s retirement years were filled with coffee time at the Canada Cafe, going for drives, visiting with and babysitting grandkids, offering gardening advice, chatting with buddies on the phone, making cabbage rolls and his famous fudge. John will be forever missed and lovingly remembered by all whose lives he touched, especially his family.

The family wishes to extend their heartfelt gratitude and thanks to the staff of Indian Head Hospital for the wonderful care John received in his last days.

A funeral service will be held in St. Anne R.C. Church, Wolseley, Saskatchewan on Thursday, December 5, 2024 at 10:30 a.m., officiated by Rev. Francis Hengen. Interment will take place in St. Anne Parish Cemetery.

Donations in John’s memory may be made to the Royal Canadian Legion, Wolseley Branch #36, c/o Jim Jeeves, Box 39, Wolseley, SK S0G 5H0.