We Remember

HOLTSKOG, Gerald

October 20, 1945 — August 17, 2026

Gerald Holtskog passed away on August 17, 2026, at the age of eighty. He was born on October 20, 1945, in Kelliher, Saskatchewan, and carried the grit of that prairie upbringing with him for the rest of his life.

Gerry was predeceased by his parents, Herman and Olive Holtskog; his sister, Sharon; his brother, Wayne; and his beloved dog, Daisy. He is survived by his loving wife of sixty years, Geraldine (née Fisher); his children, Shannon Vickery (Rick), Shelley Tokash (Dwayne), and Carrie Holtskog (Greg); his granddaughter, Tawny, and Tawny’s husband-to-be (on July 3, 2027), Seth Weintz. Gerry is also survived by his sisters Myrna Oborne (Allan) and Lynn Young (Brian); his loving cousin, Brenda; and all his loving nieces and nephews; as well as his many beloved granddogs, Bruiser, Riley, Remi, Abby, Pepper, Paisley, and Tucker.

Gerry was, more than anything, a kind man. He had a gift for making people feel welcome, and he never met a stranger he couldn’t win over with a little generosity and a lot of good humour. He was approachable, you know, in that way that truly good men are, the kind of person neighbours and friends alike knew they could turn to. In Saskatchewan, your word is your bond, and a man’s handshake is stronger than a signature on a piece of paper. An embodiment of this belief, Dad always sealed the deal with a handshake, and come hell or high water, he kept his word.

He was meticulous when it came to his vehicles, treating every repair like a small act of devotion, and he loved nothing more than teaching his girls how to run the equipment he had spent a lifetime mastering. Especially his youngest daughter, Carrie, there she was, at the age of eight, standing in a grader, driving the machine forward and backward, learning how to lower the blade. He would teach his middle daughter, Shelley, about motors at a very young age, and his eldest daughter, Shannon, how to drive a dump truck – let’s call it a short tutorial (friends and family will understand the meaning) – and she nailed it; she had to do split dumps (not dumping the whole load, but splitting the load). The men at the work site were so impressed. Dad was so proud of her.

For years, Gerry ran his own landscaping company with his wife by his side, running a bobcat at their landscaping yard on Winnipeg Street in Regina. He built his company from the ground up through hard work and stubborn dedication. He even rented a space in the city to build his own pup for his gravel truck all on his own. He would bring his daughters, Shannon, Shelley, and Carrie, with him to have some time with his girls while he worked on the pup – and boy did they have fun! Running around the rented space going home filthy head to toe, and all he would say is, “You’re in big trouble with Mom.” Unable to hide his smile. When the time came, he sold it all and moved his family to the Okanagan, trading the great open skies for lakes, hills, and trees.

He was a man’s man through and through, happiest with a Kokanee within reach while spending time with family on their deck.

Friends and family will honour Gerry each in their own way; in keeping with who Gerry was, no formal funeral will be held. Memorial donations in memory of Gerald may be sent to BC Cancer or the BC SPCA.

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BC Cancer or the BC SPCA Link: www.bccancer.bc.ca, spca.bc.ca

 


 


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