Russell Neal Gillanders passed away surrounded by loved ones at the Swift Current Hospital on April 2, 2025.
Russell was born on October 3, 1932 at the CPR Station House in Kyle, SK. The third son of Alex & Norma Edgar they lived on the SE 16-22-15 W3, where Clearwater Drive-In is currently located. In April of 1935, Russell was adopted by Alex and Myra Gillanders, and a new sister Kathleen, and moved to NE 33-22-16 W3 where he lived until his passing. Russell’s new family was always concerned with his well being, they taught him the values of life, they loved him dearly and Russell treasured his life with them. Russell was also fortunate to keep in touch with his biological father Alex (Pop) Edgar and was proud to farm his land as well. Russell attended school in Tuberose from grades 1 to 10, taking correspondence in the winter months of grades 2,3 and 4. During the summer Russell rode horseback the 4 miles to and from school. By the time Russell reached Grade 8, the shack on the farm was no longer suitable for the winter months so the family moved to a rented house in Tuberose. In the winter months in Tuberose Russell would haul groceries from the train to the General Store in Tuberose with his dog and a toboggan. Russell also hired classmates to unload coal cars to the coal sheds located by the railway tracks to get some spending money. In the spring, summer, and fall Russell would raise, sell and deliver pan ready chickens by horse and cart to neighbors, he also stooked oat sheaves and picked rocks for neighbors - a true entrepreneur. Tuberose did not have grades 11 or 12 so for his grade 11 year Russell went to White Bear. Instead of finishing grade 11 Russell made a trip to British Columbia and worked a short time in the forest industry. Russell did not like the continuous rain and mist so, in the spring of 1950 he returned to the farm, rented a ½ section of land from his uncle, and began building his legacy. He farmed with his father with some older, somewhat outdated machinery but With Russell’s ambition, tremendous drive, sacrifice and extremely hard work he laid the foundation for what became Shamrock Farms.
In the fall of 1953, on a blind date, Russell met his soul mate and love of his life, a nurse at the Kyle Hospital, Joyce Douglas. They were married on October 14, 1955. They built their house on the NE 33-22-16 W3 where Russell and Joyce lived for the next 70 years.
Russell loved farming, it was his passion and he really enjoyed working with his sons. Russell was extremely proud of his family and this was most evident in the hours before his passing when he got to tell everyone individually.
Along with Russell’s passion for family and agriculture, his commitment and dedication to Community may be what he is remembered for most. Russell’s decades of service to the community of Kyle and the RM of Lacadena is truly remarkable. Russell was on the Tuberose Wheat Pool committee for 30 years, Director and President of Kyle Co-op Association at the time of amalgamation with Pioneer Co-op Ltd. Russell served on the Clearwater Co-op Board and later on the Clearwater Lake Regional Park Board for 17 years, Kyle School Board for 8 years, Kyle Memorial Rink Board for many years, Kyle Minor Hockey as a board member and coach for 11 years, Kyle Facilities Group from inception in 1975 to completion of Sports Centre in 1986, driving force in putting artificial ice in Kyle’s old rink, Chair of building committee for Kyle Community Sports Centre, helped building Kyle Elks and community Hall (dug basement with his scraper)., counsellor for Division 3 RM 228, member of Kyle and District Recreation Board for many years, played senior baseball in Tuberose, Whitebear and Kyle, helped build and maintain ball diamonds, coached minor baseball, played Kyle Elks Senior hockey for 20 years, coached senior hockey team for 6 years ,helping the Elks win their first provincial title in 1979, Senior Elks executive for 20 years, many as President. Russell played old timer hockey with Rusty Blades until the age of 75, known as “Captain Russ.” Russell was the first recipient of the Kyle Citizen of the Year in 1979, was the PA announcer for Elks hockey games for many years and wrote a weekly article in the local paper called “The Owls Nest” reporting on Elks games. Russell was a huge supporter of Kyle Elks Hockey Team and the Kyle Community Sports Centre, he donated the outside heaters in the rink and made a substantial donation to the Sports Centre in 2023/24. Russell’s hours of Volunteering in the community will be remembered for years.
Russell will be missed greatly and loved forever by his son Brock (Kathy) grandchildren Dustin great grandchildren Georgia and Ivy. Kali (Justin Williams) grandchildren Jordyn, Leo, Tyler and Billie. Baylee (Dustin Stevenson) great grandchildren Sawyer and Rylee. His son Bayne (Marlene) grandchildren Dieter, Brienna (Reid Fritzke) Brooklyn and Britannia. His daughter Tara (Russell Bell) grandchildren Brett and Karlie (Brice Robertson), as well as brother-in-law Clifford Pittman. Russell was pre-deceased by his wife of 66 years, Joyce, his birth parents Alex and Elsie Edgar, his brothers Lincoln, Irwin and Bob and sister Elsie as well as his adopted parents Alex and Myra Gillanders and sister Kathleen.
A Celebration of Russell’s Life will be held on Thursday, April 17, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. at the Kyle Elks and Community Hall. Donations in Russell's memory can be made to the Kyle and District Health Care Foundation Inc., P.O. Box 153, Kyle, SK, S0L 1T0 or the Kyle Community Sports Centre, P.O. Box 27, Kyle, SK, S0L 1T0. Funeral arrangements entrusted to Shanidar Funeral Services.