Pickett – Kenneth Ward, at the age of 75, passed away at his ranch on November 11, 2013. Born in Bassano, Feb 4, 1938, most of Ken’s early years were spent on or around horses. As an infant he was carried in a box behind his mother’s saddle. He started school in Gem, riding horseback two and a half miles before catching the school bus for the rest of the way. Ken’s family moved to Countess so attended grade 2 at the Burn Brae School and was bussed to Bassano for grade 3 before moving back to Gem and finished school there. During these years he enjoyed playing ball, hockey and rodeoing. In 1950, Ken started riding steers at the local rodeos and rode in the Calgary Stampede. He continued on the rodeo circuit travelling through Alberta, Saskatchewan, Montana, Idaho and Washington. In the fall of 1958, Ken married Jean Clark and they settled in Gem on the place known as “The Ranch” before moving to their current home in 1962. Ken worked with his dad raising bucking horses for rodeo stock, supplying the stock for Gem, Bassano, Cluny, Gleichen and Brooks with some horses going to the Calgary Stampede. Also, he was the secretary of the last Gem rodeo in 1968. After years of ranching, his love and passion for the cattle business and visiting with people drew him into becoming a cattle buyer at Bow Slope Shipping Association in Brooks. Ken was active playing hockey for the Brooks Blackhawks Senior team from 1962 to 1967. He played and coached senior hockey in Bassano and finished his “career” with the Bassano Bear Cats. He also coached minor hockey in Bassano while his boys were involved in it. Ken kept active in community work, holding offices of president and secretary of the Gem Community Association. He was also heavily involved with the re-construction of the Bassano Arena, including the installation of the artificial ice plant. He was active in the Masonic Lodge in Bassano and Brooks. In 2001, he was named Sportsman of the Year in Bassano. Some of his favourite pass times were hunting, fishing and boating. Ken was predeceased by his parents Tommy & Ruth Pickett and his brother Allan Pickett. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Jean; two sons Lee and his wife Shirley and Russel and his wife Dorie; daughter Janna Erker and her husband Dean; five grandchildren Jonathan (& Krystene) Pickett, Bailey (& Derrick) Filkohazy, Lynnae (& Dallas) Cromarty, Carson Pickett and Stratton Pickett; one great grandson Breyden Pickett. He is also survived by three siblings; Lawrence (Marian) Pickett, Judy King (and friend Keith) and Roger (Alexis) Pickett, his sister-in-law Teddy Pickett and numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral services were held on Saturday, November 16th at 2:00 PM from Knox Presbyterian Church, Bassano. Rev. Peter Baek officiated. Interment followed at Bassano Cemetery. In memory of Ken, if friends desire, memorial tributes may be made to either the Bassano and District Health Foundation for the New Hospital Facility, Box 120, Bassano, Alberta T0J 0B0 or to STARS Air Ambulance, 1441 Aviation Park NE, Box 570, Calgary, Alberta T2E 8M7. Funeral arrangements in care of SMITH FUNERAL HOME, BROOKS, ALBERTA. Condolences may be forwarded through www.sfh.ca Telephone 403-362-4636 or Toll Free (866) 362-4652.
