Thomas Warren Werle

Thomas Warren Werle of Langenburg, SK passed away on Wednesday, October 9, 2024 at Yorkton Hospital at the age of 80 years, with family by his side. Tom, oldest son of Ed and Margaret (Fieseler) Werle was born in Yorkton on March 7, 1944. He was raised on the farm north of Langenburg with his three brothers and one sister. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. He attended Hohenlohe School and then obtained his Grade 12 at Langenburg High School. Following a winter season working for the R.M. of Churchbridge on the grader, he worked at the mine, and then decided full-time farming was what he wanted to do. On June 29, 1968 Tom married Maxine Schoepp, and they began their life together on the SE 11-22-31 W of 1. The farm previously belonged to his great-grandfather Christian Ludwig Fieseler, then his great-uncle Christian O. Fieseler, then his father Ed Werle, so it meant a lot to Tom to achieve Century Farm status. In 1971 Tom and his brother Jim formed Werland Farms Ltd., a grain and cow-calf enterprise. They farmed together for over 22 years. During that time they expanded their operation, and included a feedlot, cattle assembly and trucking. Farming was Tom’s passion, and he cared deeply about farming issues. He was active and involved in various agriculture boards and organizations, including Hohenlohe Conservation and Development Authority, UGG Secretary, Western Producers Cow-Calf Association, Sask. Federation of Agriculture, Calder-Togo and Whitebeech Community Pastures, Horned Cattle Fund, Sask. Artificial Breeders Coop., Smith Creek Channel Clearing Committee, East Central Feeder Coop., and R.M. of Churchbridge Council.

   On October 16, 1971 daughter Lindy Louise arrived, and son Lorin Thomas was born September 26, 1972. These were busy times, and as they grew up, they helped more and more on the farm. Highlights of family activities were the 4-H Double Horseshoe Light Horse Club, and curling together. On July 16, 1994 Lindy married Duane Zimmer, a farmer from Inglis, MB. In time, three grandchildren, Rebecca, Laura and Vaughn were born, bringing much joy to Grandpa Tom.

   In 2003, Tom and Maxine started the process of selling their farm to Vincent and Erin Schnee, and moved into Langenburg that summer. Tom’s transition to retirement included working at Schnee’s, where operating the scraper was a favorite occupation of his. He also looked forward to driving a combine at Lindy and Duane’s, and the suppers in the field that often came with harvest. Tom was a handyman who liked to help family and friends when called upon for house renovations and repairs. He started curling with the Langenburg Seniors Curling Club, and greatly enjoyed the fellowship coffee times, and going to bonspiels. He became more involved at church, serving on council including terms as chair at St. Paul’s and Peace Parkland Lutheran Parish. He especially liked working with the Board of Trustees on various projects. The garden and yard became his farm, so he spent many hours there, also helping with preparation for freezing and canning the harvest. A new hobby to pass the time was jigsaw puzzles, and he became a sports fan, watching the Roughriders, Blue Jays and curling events.

   The greatest joy of his retirement years was his three grandchildren, Rebecca, Laura and Vaughn. He was a very involved Grandpa, and delighted in spending time with them, reading stories, playing games and dress-up, doing woodworking projects, attending their activities, including travelling to watch sports and cheer them on.

   After working hard all those years on the farm, Tom was blessed with a peaceful and enjoyable retirement, until his health declined. He met that challenge with strength, patience, and courage. He was deeply loved, and will be greatly missed.

   Tom was predeceased by his sister-in-law Christine Ste. Marie and brother-in-law Jeffery Morin. Left to mourn his passing and celebrate his life are his wife Maxine, daughter Lindy (Duane) Zimmer and grandchildren Rebecca, Laura and Vaughn Zimmer; son Lorin Werle; brother Jim (Elsie) Werle and their family Jenay Werle (Zach Hainstock), Beckett and Milo Hainstock, and Jenelle Werle; brother Stan Werle and his daughters Sarah and Chloe Werle; brother Roy (Nancy) Werle; sister Hazel Werle and her daughters Elen Werle-Morin (Joe Toderian) and Hannah Werle-Morin (Jason Moore); sister-in-law Marlene (Paul) Kuch, brother-in-law Glen (Dale) Schoepp, and nieces and nephews Alyssa (Peter), Galen (Teena), Gill (Mike), Karl, Andrew and Paige, Aiden and Leah, Cecilia and Calvin.