Alvin Theodore Eikemo

Alvin Theodore Eikemo, late of Weyburn, SK (formerly of Gladmar, SK) passed away on February 27, 2022 at the age of 87 years.

He was predeceased by his parents Ole and Anna Eikemo; his grandparents: Selma and Theodore Fladeland and Karolina and Andreas Eikemo (of Norway); aunts and uncles: Arthur (May) Fladeland, Cora (Art) Matters, Wilhelm (Clara) Fladeland, Emily (Don) McGugan, Ted Fladeland, Joe Kaufmann; cousins: Lloyd Matters, Lorraine Nielson, Faye Friedrichsen, Fern Hillstead; Elodie Bordian; Dennis Fladeland, Judy Fladeland, Murray Fladeland; and Brian Kaufmann. 

Alvin is survived by his aunts: Nina (nee: Fladeland) Kaufmann, Gertrude (nee: Gold) Fladeland; his cousins and their families: Laura Larsen, LouVonne Skjerdal, Sharon McGugan, Oral Fladeland, Wayne Fladeland, Pat (Arnold) Leatherdale, Karen (Dwayne) Fettes, Brent (Gwen) Kaufmann, Dianne (Greg) Dedora; cousins-in-law: Valerie Fladeland, Tracie Fladeland, Morris Hillstead and June Matters; as well as good friend Ken Oberkirsch.

In 1930 Alvin’s father Ole and Lorentz Petterson purchased a mine at the Gladmar Coal Mine Coulee.  In 1933 Ole and Anna (Fladeland) were married.  So Alvin’s 1st home was at the Mine Coulee. Alvin and his parents lived there for about 10 yrs.   Alvin also wrote in the history book “ the Mine Coulee was an interesting place for a young boy to be, there was always something going on.”  Alvin’s first language was Norwegian , which was what his parents spoke to him in their home, he learned English at school and on the playground with the kids. His Aunt Nina  tells about Alvin’s Mine coulee days, that when he played with Alfred and Wilmar Petterson, who did not speak or understand Norwegian,  the conversation from Alvin was a mixture of English/Norwegian words,  but the kids made out OK having  lots of fun.  Years later Alvin used his knowledge of both languages at a family gathering: his Grandma, Mom and Aunt Cora were in the house talking Norwegian, his cousins could not understand it so Alvin was posted at the window outside listening and interpreting to his cousins.  Guess the Mine Coulee wasn’t the only place a young boy could have some fun. While living at the Mine Coulee, Alvin started school at North Gladmar and he walked the ½ mile to school.   In 1944 the Eikemo family moved from the Mine Coulee, when they purchased their farm, 4 miles East of Gladmar.

 With the move to the farm he attended Hummingbird School, which was 3 miles. Alvin rode horse, bareback, to school.  His horse was special to him and not used to others, so when someone wanted to ride him Alvin politely declined, saying  “He is a 1 man horse.” 

When a new school was built in Gladmar and Hummingbird closed, Alvin stayed with his Grandma, Grandpa, Aunt Gertie and Uncle Ted in the winter, so he could go to the Gladmar school.  Alvin also attended one year at Birds Hill School in Lake Alma, boarding in Lake Alma for the winter.  While in Lake Alma for the winter he was able to spend more time with his Matters cousins.  Despite his Aunt Cora’s warnings Lloyd and Alvin went skating and Alvin fell through the ice.  Luckily all was good, just wet and cold, boys still having fun.Alvin completed his formal schooling at L.C.B.I. at Outlook, Sask.  While at Outlook he sang in the choir and competed in sports. His Graduation from Grade 12 at L.C.B.I was a VERY Special Occasion, with his Mom, Dad, Aunt Gertie and Uncle Ted attending.

Alvin, like his parents, was very hard working and took great pride in doing a job right and taking care of things.   Many hours were spent assuring that the Eikemo:  yard, machinery, buildings, house inside and out, everything was always so meticulous.  

Alvin enjoyed playing ball for many years with the Gladmar Braves.  He enjoyed curling, curled in Gladmar, then when Gladmar rink closed he continued to curl in Lake Alma.  He spent many enjoyable winters at curling rinks and summers at ball diamonds and when he couldn’t play anymore he still loved to watch, ball and curling.

Alvin loved his Norwegian heritage foods especially Lutefisk and Lefsa.    Alvin like all of his family enjoyed the Lefsa made by his Mom, which was always superb.  For many, many years Alvin spent every Christmas Eve at his Grandparents farm, this continued at the same farm, when it was his Aunt Gertie and Uncle Teds.  Each year, with as many as possible of his aunts, uncles and cousins they would celebrate their Christmas Eve traditions which of course, included, Lutefisk & Lefsa.   In the later years and his moving to Weyburn, Alvin spent Christmas Eve there, sometimes: with family, his Aunt Nina, Uncle Joe and their family, and sometimes @ friends, enjoying these same foods.  He also learned how to cook lutefisk himself and shared with his aunt how easy it was to cook lutefisk in the microwave, so a person could enjoy it, not only at Christmas. His last lefsa was a recent gift from his Aunt Nina.

In 1967 Alvin bought brand new, his Dodge Monoco.  That same year Alvin, Harold Lunde, Andre Vigoureux, Reynold Larson and his Uncle Teddy headed to Montreal Expo with the shinny new Dodge.  It was quite and adventure for these prairie ( boys.)   Alvin loved to drive his car in local parades, sporting that wonderful grin that lit up his whole face.

With the passing of his Father in 1978, Alvin and his Mom lived together on the family farm for many years, then he rented an apartment in Weyburn for her and he travelled back and forth, she then moved back to the farm with him, until due to her health she moved to the Radville Marian Home.   Alvin was always there for his Mom, attending lovingly & faithfully to her every need until her passing in 2005.

Alvin purchased a Condo in Weyburn 2010 and for many years maintained his city house and his country farm, enjoying the city and the country.  At Alvin’s 80th birthday celebration he asked his Aunt Nina and Uncle Ted to join him in the Norwegian grace before the meal.    

Alvin sold one ¼ of his land, that had been his Uncle Arthurs to Dennis Fladeland.  Del and Clint Fladeland bought yard and home land in fall 2016.

Upon selling the farm in 2016 Alvin moved full time to his Condo in Weyburn.  He had many good friends at his condo and enjoyed time with them and also the meals they brought him.  They looked out for him and also helped out when he was sick.  We would like to say, Thanks, to all of you.   

Due to health reasons, Alvin moved to Parkway Lodge July 1st, 2021.  It was his home until his passing and again, he made new friends. He was very well cared for there. Thanks, to all of you.

Family was important to him.  Us, his cousins, were blessed to grow up with Alvin and have him at almost every family gathering, then many of our children and grandchildren also were blessed to know such a wonderful man and have him attend many family special occasions with them, baptisms, graduations, birthday parties, weddings etc.

 Some of you greats and great greats, got to know him even better when he lived in Weyburn. Joey and his boys were one of those lucky families, apparently one time when Alvin was shopping: at the Co-op, in the line up,  Lucas was just little and ran up, gave Alvin a poke in the bum and then dashed away giggling,  Alvin turned around and gave Lucas that big Alvin Grin. Ian, Jody and girls were another one of those lucky families:  “One time when Alvin was over for supper, Brianna was in a feisty mood because she had discovered boxing, she was two.  So Alvin thinking that she was only a half pint told her. “Sure I’ll fight you Brianna.” But before anyone could say anything she wound right up, fists to her eyeballs, leaped in the air and hit Alvin right in the stomach, knocking him head over heels into our couch!  But he gathered his dignity, sat up straight and said, “by Golly I won’t fight her again!”   

As his cousins families spread out and he got older, he wasn’t always able to always attend, however he kept up with his cousins families,  knowing:  who they were married to, what was their jobs, their kids, theirs kids jobs and families, he knew you ALL. 

A friend to many, he enjoyed his coffee shop visits with his friends. Some new from Weyburn and many old from “Home” Gladmar, Lake Alma, etc. area.  

Love, Faith, Family, Honesty, Friendship, and Hard Work.   Every Task he completed to the best of his ability. Alvin was loved by many, a life well lived, we thank God for the Blessing of his life.  He truly will be Missed but Never Forgotten. 

A Service of Remembrance was held Friday, March 4, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. from RD Family Funeral Chapel, 1825 1st Avenue NE, Weyburn, SK with Pastor Martin Olson officiating.  Funeral luncheon followed at Wheatland Senior Centre, 888 1st Avenue NE, Weyburn, SK.

Interment will be held at a later date at Blooming Cemetery.

For family and friends so wishing, charitable donations in memory of Alvin may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society, 1910 McIntyre Street, Regina, SK, S4P 2R3 or STARS Air Ambulance, 2640 Airport Road, Regina, SK, S4W 1A3.

For those wishing to attend virtually, please follow the live stream video by opening Alvin’s memorial Page on RD Family Funeral Chapel’s website starting at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, March 4, 2022.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Alvin Theodore Eikemo, please visit our floral store.