(Chaloo; Pokaanikapi)
Dec. 4th, 1934-Oct.29th, 2014
It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden passing of GERALD SHADE, our dear dad, grandpa, brother, uncle, and friend. He leaves to mourn his sons Bobby (Jodi) Shade and Bill (Melanie) Shade, daughters Kathy (Darcy) Dixon and Geraldine Shade, his adopted daughters Nicole Anderson, Charmaine Shade, Anita Mills, his adopted son Jamie Little Child, family friend Denise Bottle, his special daughter-in-law Arlene Ward Shade, his grandchildren David, Dieter (Rene), Dean (Loni), Katie-Lee (J.J.), Melissa (Nathan), Alysha (Joel), Irin, Lane, Zackary, Nolan, Tanner, Tristin, Kainai, Chance, Dory, Kyleigh and Justin, his very dear and loving great-grandchildren, his special friend Esther Healy, his brother Harrison (Cynthia) Shade, his sisters Flora Zaharia and Agnes (Steven) Valerio, and many dear nieces, nephews and friends.
Gerald was predeceased by his loving wife Gloria (nee Mills) Shade, his precious grandson Lyle Shade and his wife Allysha, his great-granddaughters Heaven-Lee and Peta, his daughter-in-law Lori Shade, his parents Chris and Katherine (nee Scraping White) (Kanouse) Shade, his siblings Harry, Allen, Donald, Andy, Christopher Jr. "Tiny" and Stella Marie Shade, his in-laws Buster and Eva, Rose Marie, Richard, Virginia, Liza, Franco and Christopher Mills, Loretta (nee Mills) and Gordon Many Fingers, Edith (nee Mills) Little Child, Mary Rose (nee Mills) Many Fingers, brother-in-law Stanley Zaharia as well as his nephew Chris Stanley Zaharia.
Gerald was born to Chris and Katherine Shade at the Blood Indian Hospital in Cardston, Alberta. The farming family homestead was kindled with much love, always surrounded with children and much to do. Gerald left the St. Mary's residential school early to assist his father and brothers with farming and ranching.
For many years, Chris, contracted cattle for Herman Linder to use for many southern Alberta rodeos. Gerald would recall his famous "boxcar-cowboy night!" where cattle were always land driven far distances for the rodeos, but this rodeo came fast so it was decided that the calves would be transported by train to Lethbridge and it would be his duty to see them arrive safely and on time. From Fort Macleod to Lethbridge Gerald rode in a boxcar. Once in Lethbridge, Gerald had quite a distance to travel with the calves to get to the Lethbridge Stampede rodeo grounds with saddle and bridle in hand. He collapsed from exhaustion, laid in a nearby rodeo stable in hay and fell asleep, using his saddle as a pillow. Upon waking, he was covered with a comforter and knew his dad had been there. One of the last cattle drives Gerald recalled was with his cousins Ervin Shade and Reid Singer traveling from the Shade Ranch with a stop over by Waterton River and then onto Fort Macleod and returning back home.
Around this time, Gerald met Gloria, the love of his life. They married and had Bob, Bill, Kathy and Geraldine. To start his family foundation Gerald began to work with the "Roads Crew", stationed from head-quarters. The crew maintained heavy equipment, roads and built dugouts for rancher's horses and cattle. Gerald and his co-workers recalled sleeping in their graders when the weather was bad just to get the job done, so as not to waste valuable work time. Gloria would often be seen bringing Gerald lunch wherever the road work took him.
With the changing times and modernization, Gerald turned his attention to going back to school at Olds Industrial School in Olds, Alberta. He became certified in methods and techniques of farming, ranching and pivot-style irrigation systems. Gerald was one of the first in the community to purchase a pivot irrigation system and persisted with his irrigation and hay operation for over 30 years.
Gerald was a hard worker, but never neglected his family duties of travelling to hockey games, rodeos, graduations, weddings, drag races and attending church. Gerald embraced all by his show of beaming support of any and all achievements of his family and friends. One could always expect a heart-felt, warm and loving hug radiating from him which made one feel so special. Furthermore, Gerald took it upon himself to care for his aging mother throughout her lifetime.
Gerald knew he was rich with love of family and strong mutual friendships with everyone young and old.
Gerald and Gloria completed their Cursillo together and were very proud to have been able to experience this spiritual event when it was at the height of its popularity.
Gerald, the children and family grieved their great loss of Gloria in 1999. The outpouring of support, prayers and love was cherished and remembered by the family. Through his experience of bereavement, he comforted, counseled and helped reaffirm faith through prayer in other men and families who went through the same loss.
In closing, we would like to acknowledge all the calls and visits to comfort our family. Gerald treasured every one he met during his journey in life.
A Wake will be held at CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME, 2800 Mayor Magrath Drive South, Lethbridge, AB., on Tuesday, November 11, 2014 from 5:00 P.M. to 10:00 P.M.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at ST. MARY'S IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CATHOLIC CHURCH, Blood Reserve, on Wednesday, November 12, 2014 at 12:00 P.M. with Father Pawel Andrasz O.M.I., Celebrant.
Interment will follow at the Blood Band Cemetery.
