Alan Shook passed away peacefully at Poplar Ridge Pavilion in Trail, BC on June 10, 2020 with family at his bedside. He was an unforgettable character with a strong sense of family, determined to learn new skills and forever inquisitive about people and how things worked.
Alan was born in Swift Current. His parents Eric and Nettie, and his sister Betty Lou, lived and worked on the family farm near Lac Pelletier. Cedar Hill, a one room school, provided his early school years. The family moved to Swift Current to facilitate further education of their children. Having graduated from Beattie Collegiate, Alan went on to receive a Bachelor in Agriculture from the University of Saskatchewan in 1949. He found the love of his life gracefully gliding across skating rinks and dance floors in Swift Current. On Feb 16, 1950 Noreen (Roberston) and Alan married and remained loyal companions for 68 years. They established a farm near Wymark where they raised their four children Terry, Barry, Cathy and Kelly. The Shook home was always open to family, friends and strangers alike.
Alan and neighbour Abe Hiebert battled to establish a telephone exchange for the local community in the 1950s. The successful Balfour Telephone exchange brought party lines to 17 households.
Both Noreen and Alan obtained private pilot licences and were involved in the Saskatchewan Flying Farmers Association for decades. Lifelong friendships were made and extensive travel across Canada and the US ensued. Alan’s planes provided more than a simple way to catch up with neighbours and friends. He searched for lost horses and cattle from the air, helped uncles with broken swathers and found crash sites of missing planes. Alan was also an experienced crop duster. Over the 35 winters they spent in Arizona, he pursued his recreational passions of tennis, motorcycling and playing cards.
After retiring from farming, Noreen and Alan moved to Medicine Hat, Alberta and subsequently to Nelson, BC to be closer to family. They spent 5 happy years in Mountain Lakes Assisted Living doing something different every day. Alan had a brief stay in Talarico Place, Castlegar and Poplar Ridge Pavilion, Trail in the last 6 months due to poor health. The family is extremely grateful for the exceptional care provided in these seniors’ complexes.
Alan will be dearly remembered by Terry, Barry (Penny), Cathy (Pat), Kelly, and sister Betty Lou, sisters-in-law Shari , Myrna (Lyman), seven grandchildren; Clayton, Kelsey, Myra, Chad, Chris, Ian, Connor and seven great-grandchildren. Alan is predeceased by his parents, Eric and Nettie and wife Noreen, the love of his life.
A video-linked memorial service will be conducted in Nelson by Rev. David Boyd within the next month. Interment in Neville, Saskatchewan is planned at a suitable time in the future.
As an expression of sympathy, donations in Alan’s memory may be sent to The Life Enrichment Program at Mountain Lake Seniors Community 908 11 St, Nelson, BC, V1L 7A6.
You are invited to leave a personal message of condolence.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Alan Eric Shook June 10th 2020..
Death notice for the town of: Trail, Province: Colombie britanique
Please accept our condolences in the loss of your Dad. We have so many memories! He was a great neighbor all the years he and Noreen made their home on the farm. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.