Daniel Anthony Pilla
September 27, 1937 – May 15, 2025
It is with profound sadness that the family of Dan Pilla announces his passing on Thursday, May 15, 2025, after a short battle with Lung Cancer. Dan was born in Humboldt, Saskatchewan on September 27, 1937, to Paula (néeTaphorn) and Ralph Pilla, who had a small farm along Highway 368. After a few years, the family moved to Muenster and Ralph started the chicken farm along the North side of town where it stood until the 80’s. In 1956 Dan got a job working at the Humboldt Coop Lumber Yard. Working at the lumber yard, they found that he was good with numbers and offered him a position at the local Coop Office, which he held for 35 years.
In 1958, Dan met, and married Maureen Gustafson and they had four children, three boys and a girl. During this time, Dan became an avid curler, loving the sport and fellowship. When the boys got hockey fever, he gave up curling to focus on them, taking them to practices and tournaments. In 1992 Dan and Maureen parted ways. After retiring Dan was offered a job working for Ed Bunz on his farm, which really ended up being like a paid vacation, always getting into some kind of trouble. His position there, he said was “I became the ‘Summer Santa’, where he hoed, hoed, hoed!" He was there for ten summers. He also acquired the position of Manager at the Humboldt Curling Rink, which made for year-round employment. While there he took up the sport of curling again and was lucky enough to curl with the Benno Korte Team. On this team, they won the 1992 Elks Provincial Tournament that led to their win of National Senior Championship in Vancouver, then the 2002 and 2003 Saskatchewan Provincial Masters Champions. Curling was his passion with hockey coming in at a close second. After curling ended, Dan drove for South 20 Dodge delivering vehicles all over the three prairie provinces for quite a few years.
In 1993, Dan met Lori Proulx. They enjoyed many years of camping around the province, with a permanent seasonal site at Zig Zag Bay Campground, by Big River for 17 years. They enjoyed bonspiels in the winter, and traveled to Vancouver, Victoria, Jasper, Banff and a trip Lori won to Montreal. Dan leaves to mourn: his partner of 32 years Lori Proulx, and their dog, Cooper; his four children: Lyle (Colleen Schnick) of Vancouver, his son, Bo; Pat (Phil Lopinski) of Melville, their family: Leanne (Brian Kostyshyn) -their children Payton (Annie McDowell) and Aabryella, Kurtis (Amy Spratt) -their son Holden; Dale (Yvonne Pokolm) of Saskatoon; Lloyd (Dianne Kopp) of Spruce Grove, their family: Carlee (Michael Gomes)
Talon (Beth Saniga); his three sisters and their families: Carol Scheer of Regina, Sandy Loessl of Saskatoon, and Terry (Evan) Zilkowsky of Shellbrook; and by numerous nieces and nephews and their families. Dan was predeceased by his daughter, Pat Lopinski; parents, Paula and Ralph Pilla; and brother-in-law, Dennis Scheer. A private family interment will be held at a later date.
This Notice Is Courtesy Of
Schuler-Lefebvre Funeral & Cremation Services - Humboldt, Saskatchewan
(306-682-4114)