RIDDELL – Earl (Jeffrey) Riddell passed away peacefully in the Brooks Health Center – Long Term Care facility on August 18, 2020
at the age of 65 years.
Born in Swift Current, Saskatchewan on January 26, 1955. Jeff attended school in Regina and Medicine Hat,he played in a band in Medicine Hat called” Benefit”, the first being “the Purple Peanut”. He played rhythm guitar, bass guitar and he was a backup singer. He got into guitar from uncle Ron, who gave him a black guitar and Jeff sat and listened to records like Johnny Cash, George Jones, & CCR.
He went to work at Lakeside at 18, he met the vet Mel Kemptrupt and Jeff was his assistant at the feedlot. He stayed with Bill and Marian Christianson, they lived by Lakeside, where he met Ruth. They married on July 24, 1974. He was father to Jody Riddell-Whalen, stepfather to Terri, Traci and Jamie Sturm.
Jeff had an incredible work ethic, he worked in the oilpatch for 40 years ending his career at CNRL Jeff had many hobbies and was active in many community clubs such as Buck for Wildlife, the
Legion, Elks, Ducks Unlimited. He curled, canoed, played baseball, was an avid hunter for most of his life, he fossil hunted and helped tend to Ruth’s Petting Zoo. He and Ruth settled in Gem where he gardened (the great pumpkin), farmed, played rancher and enjoyed some poker tournaments and trips to the Dusty Rose. He loved to host a Hootenanny when given the chance. He loved travelling to Mexico where at one time he had a fishing boat called the Carpe Menyana, his bucket list goal.
He was predeceased by his Mother Francie Schneider, Father Bill Riddell, brother Mike Riddell, sister Jill Riddell. He is survived by Jody Riddell Whalen (Evan) and their children Sharlie Lucas and Jason Whalen. His sister Carol (Barry) Wilson and family, Rob (Terri) Riddell and family,Cory (Jane) Schneider and family. Numerous step grandkids, nieces, nephews, Johnson & Meier cousins, neighbors and friends.
Special thanks to the nurses of the auxiliary.
Jeff’s ashes will be spread at the family plot in Maple Creek, Saskatchewan at a later date to be announced.
