Obituary of Harold Joseph Lepard

Harold was the third child of Joe and Violet Lepard, born on December 22, 1931, in Castor Alberta. He and his two older sisters, Dorothy and Dona, were raised on a farm in the Garden Plains area. In 1949 the family moved to south of Nevis where they established the Lepard farm that still operates today. As a young man, Harold loved to play ball, ride horses and attend local dances with his friends. It was at one of these dances where he met Joan Petersen, the love of his life. The two were married in June 1956, and together they started a family. The four boys and three girls were their pride and joy, and everyone had their place in helping out on the farm. It wasn't all work though, as almost every year Harold ensured that the family went on a vacation, camping somewhere in Alberta or B.C. Harold's Catholic faith was very important to him, he made sure the family attended church every Sunday. Afterwards, the family had many hours of fun visiting with relatives. On the farm, Harold was known for his ability to fix anything, and he enjoyed helping the neighbors with machinery problems. He loved the challenge of making things sturdier and more efficient. There wasn't anything he couldn't fix, or build, and if he started a project, it would get done, and done right. He created a unique stackmover, a balemover, calf shelters, steel corrals, and many small items for around the farm, all of his own design. Harold and Joan took many trips together, and in the last few years thoroughly enjoyed their snowbird status. Despite various health issues and the constant pain of arthritis, Harold did whatever he could to carry on with his many interests. In the last years of his life, you might find Harold driving around the farm, in his red and white half ton, keeping an eye on the farming activities of his sons Glen and Jim. Harold is survived by his loving family: wife Joan Lepard of Erskine; children: Rayford and Ann Lepard of Thailand, Randy and Shelly Lepard of Erskine, Glen Lepard of Erskine, Terese and Jim Gerber of Coronation, Dixie LaRose of Stettler, Debbie and Scott Derwantz of Lacombe and Jim and Renee´ Lepard of Erskine; 15 grandchildren: Jill, Jeffrey and Adam, Nikita and Michelle, Chelsey and Teren, Rick and Robbie, Ashley, Rebecca and Victoria, Michael, Steven and Sydney; 2 step grandchildren Kelly and Lindsey; sister Dorothy and Keith Hillstrom, sister in law Edith Schmidt, brothers in law: Bernard and Lorraine Gendre, Brian and Betty Petersen and Bob and Edna Schaefer; numerous other family members and many dear friends and neighbors. Harold was predeceased by his parents; sister Dona Gendre; sister in law Joyce Schaefer; brother in law Leslie Petersen and daughter in law Patty Lepard. Mass of Christian Burial was held on Monday, August 30, 2010 at 2:00 PM at Christ King Catholic Church with Father Arlan Parenteau as celebrant. Adult server was Greg Schroeder; words of remembrance were given by Rick LaRose; General Intercessions were presented by Krista Kirk; soloist LeeAnn Kinderwater sang “Prayer of Saint Francis;” Musician Debbie Simon played for the congregational hymns “Amazing Grace,” “The Lord is My Shepherd,” “In the Garden,” “Bread Blest and Broken” and “How Great Thou.” Procession of gifts was by Mathew and Cody Frederick. Readers were Shelley Frederick and Krista Kirk. Urn Bearers were Rayford and Ann Lepard. Honorary Pallbearers were “All those who walked into Harold’s heart and never left.” Following the Mass family and friends gathered in the Parish Hall for a time of sharing and a light luncheon prepared and served by the C.W.L.