Mr. Donald “Don” Kleinknecht, beloved son of Irene Kriwokon (Victor) of Maple Creek, passed away on Monday, April 24th, 2017 at the age of 70 years. Donald also leaves to cherish his memory four children, Dale Kleinknecht, Adele Hafso (Jason), Vicki Tozer (Robert) and Jesse-Lynn Motz (Leighton); one brother, Clinton (Debbie) Kleinknecht; six grandchildren, Ashley (Tyler) Christianson, Krystal Hafso (Andrew Olynyk), Brandon and Jenna Hafso, Ethan and Amy Motz; five great-grandchildren, Kieran, Jake, and Paige Christianson and Ily and Ozzy Olynyk-Hafso; as well as numerous nieces and nephews, cousins, etc. and their families. He was predeceased by his father, John Kleinknecht in 1963; his nephew, Devon Kleinknecht in 1982; and his sister, Betty Bohnet in 2000. Don was born in Medicine Hat, Alberta on May 26th, 1946 and lived on the farm in the Manyberries area. He had taken over the farm and ranch at the young age of 16, as his father had died, and he had stayed there for the remainder of his life. Don couldn’t imagine doing anything other than farming and ranching. He enjoyed breaking horses, riding his quad, was an avid rodeo and hockey fan, and some of us think he was starting to collect 560 International tractors. He will be missed, but he had some more work to do…
Ode to a Cowboy
Out in the field, baling the swathes
daylight is gone,
but your can still hear the hum of the tractor
children play in the hay,
dust flies in the sky
the cows chew their cuds,
the calves hide in the grass
as the clouds pass by
the barn is old
hardly a speck of paint remains
but it's stands tall, sturdy
and has protected many an animal
from wind and storm
Brush the gelding down
blanket and saddle
Its going to be a long ride today
Time to gather the herd up
move them to new grass

We are forever grateful to the Doctors, Palliative Care and 5 East Nursing Staff who treated Don with love and kindness.