James “Glen” Bews, June 19, 1935 - April 25, 2021
James “Glen” Bews was born in Eatonia, Sk on June 19,1935 to Gladys Annie Elizabeth and James Duthie Bews. He was the oldest of three, Ken (Lorraine) in 1938 and sister Fay (David Richardson) in 1941. He leaves behind his wife, Trudy, sons Perry(Lore), Dean (Karen), daughter Pamela (Keith Bevill), stepsons Michael (Loralie)Wagner and Tyron (Kim) Wagner. He had 11 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren, and another one on the way.
He attended school in Eatonia, started farming with his dad at a young age, was active in the Community even as a teenager, joining Boy Scouts, playing hockey for 12 years, playing trombone in Jim Adair’s band, caretaker at Arena and Curling rink, and working for a local plumber. Glen was always very proud of being from Eatonia and later he was Boy Scout troop leader, Assistant Cub leader, coach for Minor Hockey, sat on the Board of Stewards of the United Church, a member of the Recreation Board, served on Eatonia Town Council for 10 years, and was a Director of the Eatonia Chamber of Commerce.
Glen married Patricia Margaret Henricks in 1956, and they had two sons and a daughter, Perry in 1957, Dean in 1959 and Pamela in 1964. Glen worked hard but always made time for a summer holiday usually in BC and usually with long time friends, Glenn and Gerda Woodrow and their family.
Glen and Ken, along with their dad, purchased a seed cleaning plant in Eatonia from John Jackson and Sons in 1961, and named it Bews Seed Co. They became Pedigreed Seed Growers in 1962,and eventually Select Growers, bagging and exporting seed to Saudi Arabia in 120 lb bags during the 60’s and 70’s. They designed the first in Saskatchewan upright fertilizer plant and erected it behind the seed plant, and entered the fertilizer business.
Around 1978, Ken, who had three sons of his own, decided to continue to farm and Glen and his two sons decided to expand their fertilizer business, under the name of Bews Agri Services. An outlet was opened in Kindersley on Railway Ave for fertilizer and chemical sales, and eventually one in Plenty, Sk. In 1996, Bews Agri Services became Phoenix Ag Services and remained that until it was sold in 2001 to G’Macs Ag Team. Bews Seed Co. was sold to Stan Fitzpatrick in 2003. Glen received many awards, including being an Accredited Seed Establishment, a certified Grader of Seed for Canadian Food Inspection Agency, a long service Certificate for 40 years with Canadian Seed Growers Association, received the prestigious Canadian Seed Growers Association Robertson Associate Award for services in Canadian Agriculture, and a Long Standing Member Award with SeeCan Assoc.
In 1984, Glen and Pat were divorced. Glen had moved to an acreage 1/4 mile west of Glidden on highway 21/44. He enjoyed being two miles from the farm shop, where he could do repairs and tinker on farm machinery, as well as running the Seed Plant long hours all year round.
In 1987, Glen married Trudy Patrice Wagner (Standen) and he helped to raise Trudy’s two boys, Michael (born 1975) and Tyron (born 1979). They holidayed every summer at Mara Lake, BC and once the boys left home, they had many winter trips to warmer climates. Summers were always spent in BC, and 8 winters in Yuma, Arizona. That motorhome was his pride and joy. Camping spots were never a problem to find, as Glen loved trains, and would request one right beside the railway track! Moving to Kindersley in 2009, meant he could watch trains every day!
He had an amazing ability to accept change. Health issues were a major stumbling block in the last years, but he always moved on and adapted. On Sunday April 25, 2021, Glen found it too difficult to ‘move on’, and he died peacefully at home, with Trudy and their five children either by his side, or talking to him virtually. His wish was fullfilled.
Donations in memory of Glen may be made to Eatonia Oasis Living, Box 217, Eatonia, Sk. S0L 0Y0.
Full Obituary under Kindersley Community Funeral Home online.