Dale Gawrelitza

GAWRELITZA – Dale Gawrelitza beloved partner of Ronnell Latham of Preeceville passed away at the Preeceville health Centre on Thursday, September 12, 2019. He was forty four years of age.

     Dale Chester Gawrelitza was born on November 21, 1974 in Yorkton, SK to Carol and Bill Gawrelitza.  Dale attended school in Endeavour, SK until grade eight then continued on at Sturgis Composite High School graduating in 1993.

     Dale grew up on the farm seven and half miles east of Endeavour, SK and like most boys loved being outdoors.  He was lucky that in 1977 along came his little brother Greg who loved to follow his big brother around and do what he was doing.  Carol and Bill had their hands full with these two boys and were lucky to have help from Uncle Alex Gawrelitza who lived with the family.  Uncle taught the boys how to hunt, fish, and trap.  The brothers spent many hours in the skinning shack, on their trap lines, or out hunting and fishing. 

     Dale lived for many years with Uncle Alex and as a bachelor enjoyed gardening and even did his own canning.  He often phoned his Mom for recipes and nothing made her prouder than when he would bring in his large vegetables to show her, Baba, and Gido.  The garlic was always the favourite with the Petrowski side of the family.

     Dale loved music and learned to play guitar like his father Bill.  He never got up on stage but enjoyed playing for himself and friends.  The radio was always playing at the farm and music would greet you at the door.

     The Gawrelitza farm was near the border of the Porcupine Forest which led Dale into working in the logging industry and following in the footsteps of his Dad and Uncle Alex by pushing power saw.  Dale’s love for hunting and the outdoors would pay off as he got work as a hunting guide doing what he loved.  He also went away to work on road construction, rock crushing, and did some custom welding. Dale always returned home to the farm where he was the happiest. He enjoyed working for local farmers in the area and getting to run new farming equipment.

     Dale found true happiness in 2012 when he met Ronnell Latham, the love of his life.  Dale and Ronnell did everything together and spent a lot of time doing what Dale loved such as hunting, fishing, and gardening.  He finally had that special person to make borscht with and they worked side by side on many projects and went together on many adventures. Dale and Ronnell eventually moved off the farm and made their home in Preeceville, SK.  Their door was always open to friends and family and they shared many good times sitting around the fire.  Some of their favourite times were the many fishing trips to McBride with Ernie and Marion Wiwcharuk.  Many good memories were made and those will be cherished forever.

     Dale was predeceased by his father Bill Gawrelitza in 1995, Uncle Alex Gawrelitza in 2007, Aunty Mary Rusnak in 2008, Uncle Dwayne Biccum in 2011, and Gido Harry Petrowski in 2012

     Dale is survived by the love of his life Ronnell Latham, Mother Carol Gawrelitza, Brother Greg (Heather) and nephew Lyndon Gawrelitza, Baba Mary Petrowski, Aunty Marj Biccum, Aunty Teresa (Andrew) Allsopp, In Laws Alex (Nellie) Dergousouff, Stepdaughter Alix Latham (Neil) and Reid Clark, Sister-in-law April (Andrian) Larissa, Matthew, and Jordan Makowsky.