June 21, 1926 - April 24, 2023
It is with sadness to announce the passing of Wallace Kirkwood Riddle at the age of 96 on Monday, April 24, 2023. He was born in Didsbury on June 21, 1926, to David Murl and Jennie Isabel Riddle.
He lived and spent all his working life on what is known now as the Riddle Ranch. During his farm early years, he tells us that he drove a team of Percheron work horses to do the heavy work on the farm, from spring seeding to fall harvest and everything in between. He left school at age 16 to assist his dad full time, working a section of farmland. In those younger years, he competed in a Jr. Grain Club and was successful in winning a trophy for a barley sample that took many, many hours of cleaning and sorting. Later on, he led this club for many young farmers in the area. Neighbors moved within a few miles of the farm where he met Donald Williamson, then later, Don's sister Mary Helen. Dad courted her and they were married in July of 1949.
He is survived by their four children – Doreen (Ken Bills), Terry (Kathy), Alan (Ann) and Judy (Darrell Sailer), eight grandchildren – Kelsey (Andrew Nowak) and Ashley Bills, Christopher and Tiffany Riddle, Aaron (Natalie) Riddle and Angelina (Sheldon Vanderveen) and Justin (Katie) Sailer, Jenna (Trevor Marcinek) and seven great grandchildren.
As his children grew and moved into their own homes, Wallace and Helen started travelling to different parts of the world including Scotland, Ireland, Australia, England, several countries in western Europe and many trips into Hawaii, Arizona and California. Wallace had many hobbies throughout his years. He ran races at school, played hardball, golfed, curled and hunted big game animals. He was an avid card player, mostly playing Bridge and Cribbage. His card skills in crib saw him hold three different perfect 29 hands. He led cubs and scouts for many years too. Over the years, a community of friends developed a huge potato plot that produced thousands of pounds of potatoes for the families to enjoy.
Both Wallace and Helen were advocates of the history of this town. They donated the “McCaig House” at the Museum site and there are a number of old farm items within the museum. Wallace was very active in the Carstairs Bancroft United Church until his passing. During Wallace's later years, he moved into the Chinook Winds Lodge and enjoyed the many friends there, including staff that he joked with constantly.
He was predeceased by his wife Helen, his father DM Riddle, his mother Jennie, brothers Dale and Frank and sister Geraldine. Wallace leaves to mourn his many friends, relatives, and family. A private family interment service will be held earlier.
A celebration of his life will be held Saturday May 13, 2023, at the Carstairs Bancroft United Church, at 1:30 pm. If friends desire, memorial donations may be made to the Memorial Fund at Carstairs Bancroft United Church. Condolences may be shared and viewed at www.heartlandfuneralservices.com
