Allan Herbert Gertken
June 7, 1949 – January 16, 2023
It is with great sadness that the family announces the passing of Allan Herbert Gertken, 73 years of Humboldt, on Monday, January 16, 2023 at Quill Plains Centennial Lodge, Watson.
Allan was born on June 7, 1949 to Herbert and Marie (nee Walby) Gertken. The family lived north of Englefeld and he attended the local country school. After completing his education, Allan helped his dad on the farm and spent the winter months in BC, working in a saw mill. He was able to work closer to home for a number of years on the construction of the new Potash Mine at Lanigan. On October 20, 1979, Allan married Linda Hartley, a union that was blessed with three children. Over the years of living in Humboldt, Allan worked at A-Line Furniture as a delivery person, the Mosaic Potash Mine at Colonsay, and eventually settled into the housekeeping department both at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital and St. Mary’s Villa, where he worked until his retirement in 2011.
A self-taught guitarist, Allan’s love of music was very strong. His natural talent led him to play lead guitar in several bands and played numerous shows all over Saskatchewan at various events. One of his favourite memories included seeing Elvis perform live in Las Vegas in 1973. He was an avid collector of Elvis Presley memorabilia. Allan kept a very active lifestyle including walking both outside and on his treadmill, cross country skiing, teaching himself to skate, and eventually playing in the Spalding rec hockey league. When he would finally sit down and relax, you could find Allan watching sports, particularly hockey. Allan was a quiet and kind man who enjoyed visiting one on one as opposed to large gatherings.
Allan will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by his wife Linda Gertken of Humboldt, 3 children and 2 grandchildren: Aaron Gertken and his sons Atlas and Asher of Vanscoy; Ryan Gertken of Humboldt; Kyla (Dan) Gould of Regina; and his sister Rita Henkels and her daughter Nicole of Maple Ridge, BC. He was predeceased by his parents Herbert and Marie Gertken; brother Norbert Gertken (in infancy) and brother-in-law Peter Henkels.
Allan’s family will have a Celebration of his life at a later date. Memorial donations in Allan’s memory may be directed to Humboldt District Hospital Foundation: Mental Health & Addictions Fund or St. Elizabeth's Ladies Auxiliary Centennial Cardiac Endowment (Box 1740, Humboldt, SK, S0K 2A0) or St. Mary’s Villa Foundation (Box 1743, Humboldt, SK, S0K 2A0).
This notice placed courtesy of
Malinoski & Danyluik Funeral Home & Crematorium
Phone: 682-1622