1941-2021
Everett Earl Blain, 79 years of age, passed away on May 2, 2021 in the Didsbury Hospital after a courageous battle with bone cancer.
Everett was born October 2, 1941 in Didsbury, Alberta to the late Kitchener and Eva Blain. He was the eldest of two children and attended school in Didsbury.
Everett is lovingly remembered by his sister, Bev (Jim); nephew, Kelly (Erin) their children, Taylor and Lauren; and close family friends, Donna (Angus) McCallum, Meghan, Wanda (Rene) Desfosses, and Phil (Kathlyn).
In 1957 at the age of 16, Everett went to work on the farm east of Didsbury for Otto and Gladys Sautter. He lived and worked there until they sold their farm in 1960. At that time, he came to work on the farm of Henry and Violet Sautter east of Carstairs where he remained for 44 years. The Sautter’s became like family and he watched their girls grow up and marry and have families of their own. He could often be found pulling the kids around, giving them wheelbarrow rides, or taking them to town in his truck. He loved the farm and was very fond of all animals. The dogs could always be found following Everett about and he would use the rake to scratch their backs. He’d often cuddle the kittens and wished that the lodge would have let him have a cat.
It was in the summer of 2004 that Everett went to live in Carstairs at the Chinook Winds Lodge. This provided him an opportunity to socialize, and he loved being a “helper” and became the official mail guy walking uptown sometimes twice a day to get the mail, stopping in at the bank, and talking to many people on his daily walks. It was in August of 2017 after the Carstairs Lodge had a flood that he moved to the Crossfield Lodge and found many new wonderful friends among the residents.
Everett was a gentle soul, with a great sense of humour and a warm smile. He loved to tease and be teased in return. He had excellent eyesight and with a window facing west always knew whom and what was going on at the lodge. He remained close to Donna and family and loved going for drives to the country, going to Carstairs and Airdrie, spending an hour in the “Dollar Store” for the latest treasures! He had a sweet tooth, so everyone always made time to get pop, chocolates and those special hot mini donuts. He particularly loved when we found the Bulk Barn and we would walk the isles getting not one, but two scoops of candy, sometimes 3 different bags full! His many friends in the lodge made sure he was gifted with his favourite snacks and pop.
He loved his TV and his favourite westerns, Rifleman, Bonanza, The Waltons and the old game shows. He got to go to the Charlie Pride concert in Calgary on two different occasions. Several big highlights for Everett were the trips his sister Bev took him on, Niagara Falls, Disneyland, Las Vegas and a cruise. Everett loved putting puzzles together and could easily identify where the pieces would go. He could do brain teaser puzzles and could unlock the old combination locks without knowing the numbers. In 2017 he got an iPad and loved playing games.
Everett was predeceased by his father Kitchener Earl (1946) and his mother Eva Florence (2002). A private graveside service will follow at a later date in Didsbury cemetery. Those who wish to remember him and celebrate him may make donations to the Rocky View Lodge, Box 159, Crossfield, Alberta T0M 0S0.
God saw you getting tired when a cure was not to be. He closed his arms around you and whispered “come to me”. You didn’t deserve what you went through, so he gave you rest. God’s garden must be beautiful, He only takes the best. Messages of condolence may be left for the family at www.myalternatives.ca.
