Saubak – Earl Stanley Saubak passed away peacefully in the Brooks Health Center on January 1st, 2007 at the age of 74 years after a lengthy battle with emphysema. Born in Rosthern, Saskatchewan on January 4th, 1932 he grew up on the prairies mainly in Alberta. With only a Grade 8 education he was a self taught man and is remembered by his children as a man who worked hard to provide for his family. As a young man he worked at Irricana, AB as a ranch hand for Anchor Bar Ranch and eventually met Norine Day at Taber. They were married on February 2nd, 1953. Together they had 5 children. Although Earl and Norine were divorced they remained friendly and she was to visit him many times in the last couple of years. While in Taber, Earl worked for the Town of Taber and Shockey Brothers Construction and then began commuting to Tilley working for Great Northern Oil Production hauling crude oil. Employment opportunities in the oil patch in this area prompted him to move his family to Tilley where he not only worked in the oil patch but operated equipment for Chockeye Earthmoving. Earl worked as a contract battery operator for Anadarko Petroleum for 25 years until retiring. He dedicated his time to horses and established Elkwater Trail Riding Stables in 1991. This venture was enjoyed by his family, especially his grandchildren, in which he instilled a love and appreciation for horses and the western lifestyle. He will be lovingly remembered by Norine, his children and grandchildren for his sense of humour and love of horses. His special interests were his family, dancing, hockey and rodeo fan, driving “anywhere”, traveling to the US and Cypress Hills Park. Earl was predeceased by his mother Elisabeth. He leaves to cherish his memory, son Jim (Cindy) Saubak of Czar, Alberta and their children Jodie and Bradley; son Ron (Jennifer) Saubak of Calgary and Ron’s children Cassandra and Travis; son Gerry (Gwen) Saubak of Bashaw and their daughters Heather (Graham) Cox, Holly (Steve) Sorbey and Alycia (Beau) McArthur; daughter Karen Saubak of Bowden and her daughter Sarah; daughter Cheryl Saubak (Darrell Hein) of Tilley and her children Kaylee and Laine; two great-grand children Ellie Saubak and Kieren Cox; 2 brothers; 5 sisters and nieces and nephews. A memorial service to celebrate Earl’s life will be held at 2:00 PM on Thursday, January 11th from the Tilley Community Center, Tilley, Alberta. Bishop Rob Allred of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints officiating. Many thanks to the nursing staff at the Brooks Health Center, Calgary Foothills Hospital and STARS Air Ambulance for the wonderful care and extraordinary measures taken to continue dad’s life for the past month and a half. In memory of Earl, if friends desire, memorial tributes may be made to either STARS, 1441 Aviation Park NE Box 570, Calgary, Alberta T2E 8M7 or to the Silver Sage Ag Society, Box 1092, Brooks, Alberta T1R 1B8. Arrangements in care of SMITH FUNERAL HOME. Telephone 362-4636 or Toll Free (866) 362-4652.
