Lawrence A. Geber

Lawrence Albert Geber, late of Cupar, SK. passed away on Wednesday July 17, 2024, at the age of 96. He was predeceased by his parents Joseph and Maria; brothers George and Wilfred; and sisters Katie and Irma. Lawrence is survived by his loving family: wife Mary of 72 years; his children Richard (Brenda) and their children Natasha (Mike), and Ayla (Kevin), Joan (Rob) and their children Nathan (Raya), and Keegan, Glenn (Leanne) and their children Chris and Amanda (Michael) and their children Charlotte and Logan, Ken (girlfriend Brenda) and his children Vaughn and Cadence, Laurie (Todd) and their children Cara and Amber, Jason (Dawn) and their children, Drew (Ellie), Cody (Brooke), Lydia (Jason) and their children Scarlett and Grayson, and Will (Sarah); and brother John (Francis).

Lawrence was born on the family farm 12 miles north of Cupar on November 24, 1927. He was raised by his Mother Maria (nee Kayter) and Father Joseph, along with five siblings: Katie, Irma, George, Wilfred and John. He attended Lupescu school until the end of grade 8 when he was taken out to work on the family farm. In his childhood and youth, Lawrence not only worked on the farm, he also helped at the country store and filling station. He always joked about his friends coming by to eat free chocolate bars which destroyed any profits.

As a young man, along with his good friend, Ben Thomas, he worked as a wood cutter in Ontario, before coming back to take over the family farm. Shortly after, dad met and married Mary (nee Ollinger) from Arbury in 1951. When asked how they met, he joked “I was going north, and she was coming south”.

Together they raised six children. Lawrence was a good father. Stern but soft, serious but with a twinkling sense of humor. His sternness was especially on display when it came to work expectations and when each of his kids began to ask to use the family car. But even after gathering the courage to ask for the car, and waiting through his dreaded silence, he rarely said no. But we know he always worried until we got home.

Lawrence loved sports and enjoyed watching and travelling with his son’s sports teams. He also loved fishing and always looked forward to his summer fishing trips with Bob Solie and others. Although he was never allowed, by his own father, to play cards, he loved playing cards as an adult and spent hours playing with his Cupar friends. Lawrence was great at math and even after his dementia affected his ability to remember events, he still remembered cribbage rules and could count his points faster than his kids.

Despite Lawrence’s limited formal education, he was remarkably well read and always interested in history and current affairs. He often had his nose in a newspaper or history book and mealtimes were often political discussions.

Lawrence had a strong sense of community and never hesitated to help his neighbors. He served on many committees and boards including the Holy Trinity and St Patrick Parish, director on rural telephone company, Councilor and Deputy Reeve with the RM of Touchwood, director on Cupar Central School Board, Cupar Hospital Board, Shalom and was active with the Minor Hockey Association.

Lawrence was doggedly determined and a hard worker who grew grain crops, raised animals and contributed to feeding the population over several decades. He was kind, seen by many as a gentle man and had an abiding sympathy for those less fortunate.

Lawrence retired from farming, sold the family farm in 2004, and moved to Cupar. He spent the last five years of his life at Shalom in Cupar. We’d like to thank every staff member, who, over these years, had a kind word, respected his needs, joked with him and cared for him with compassion as he went through the indignities that aging with dementia brought. We give our heartfelt thanks for being there for him and for us.

Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, July 22, 2024, at 11:00am, at St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church, Cupar, SK. Donations in remembrance can be made to Cupar Shalom or St Patrick Catholic Church in Cupar.