Donald Patrick Gropp
February 27, 1939 - August 18, 2024
After a long battle with cancer, it is with a loving heart we said goodbye to our dad at the age of 85 years young.
He was loved and predeceased by his parents Norman Alfred Gropp and Tillie Hecker who were married at Prelate, Saskatchewan in 1937, and Don's wife of 36 years Elizabeth (Betty) Helman-Gropp who passed in 2015.
His life was surrounded by younger brother Gerald (Lydia) Gropp and their children Nadine (Pryce) Wood from Minneapolis-Saint Paul and their children Larson and Ailsa, Nannette (Stacey) Peterson from Calgary, Alberta, and their twin sons Thomas and Adam. Naomie (Keith) Sanheim from Calgary, Alberta, and their daughters Vanessa and Serena.
Donald had a half sister Kathleen O'Connor (Randy Mackey-deceased) from Saskatoon, Sask and her daughter Amanda (Jason) Marien from Saskatoon, Sask. and children Dylan, Aiden, and Cohen. Jordan Mackie from Saskatoon Sask. and children Kendall, Leighton, Saige and Alex.
Donald also had half brother James O'Connor (Heather) from Merritt, B.C., and their child Justin O'Connor (Lynnea) from Kelowna, B.C.
Donald's extended family includes his devoted step daughter Marie (Jack) Schneider from Davidson, Sask. with their children Jesse (Jenn) Schneider from Regina Beach, Sask. with their children Jace and Jaiden. Clayton (Danielle) Schneider from Davidson, Sask., with their children Ashton, Noah, Lily, and Luke. Wyatt Schneider (deceased) from Davidson.
Devoted step daughter Wyonne Wicks (Wesley) from Waldeck, Sask. with their children Chelsea (Kent) Westrom from Red Deer, Alberta with their children Johna, Lundy, Elliot, and Oliver. Tanja Wicks (Zac Wolfe deceased) from Waldeck, Sask., with their children Zerek and Viennley Wolfe.
Fred (Brenda) Helman from Sceptre, Sask. with their children Waylon (Linsey) Helman from Okotoks, Alberta and their children Marek and Maddox. Chris (deceased) and Ronda Helman from Martensville, Sask., with their children Brooklyn, Wyatt, and Jake. Josh Helman (Trish) from Medicine Hat, Alberta., with their children twins Hayden and Hunter, and Criss. Jenna (Aaron) Krien from Burstall, Sask., with their children Rhea, Callie and Booker.
Roy and Terrie Helman from Glaslyn, Sask., and their children Greg (Charity) Helman from Bragg Creek, Alberta, with their children Ava and Rowan. Jennifer (Shane) Meikel from Martensville, Sask., with their children Tyler and Carlee Roy.
Don's bachelor home was a mobile home overflowing with children of all ages for the rest of his life. God blessed him with water fights, pig roasts, Christmas celebrations, laughter and tears. Don welcomed family and neighbours for coffee or drinks. He loved his farm and his routine. Every morning was started with oatmeal, instant coffee and snuff. Afternoon was work and a visit to Sceptre garage and Co-op. Evenings were late night cattle feeding, late night drives, late night news with a late night chocolate bar and now a late night wave goodbye.