Duane Emard

December 24, 1940 ~ September 2, 2007

DUANE EMARD beloved husband and soul mate of Darlene, passed away peacefully with his family at his side, on September 2, 2007 after a brief illness at the age of 66 years.

Duane leaves to cherish his memory his loving wife of 47 years Darlene; son David; son Vern (Charlotte) his beloved pride and joy grandchildren Sarah, Brooke, Justis, Hunter; sister Delores (Gordon) Appell of Calgary; twin sister Diane Currie of Lethbridge; brother Archie (Eva) Jensen of Taber; sister Jackie (Bob) Zacher of Calgary; sister Denice (Ross) Pharis of Thorsby; brother Terry (J.D.) of Dalmeny, SK; sister Allana Lockhart of Taber; ""lake"" son Randy (Marie) Collins of Burdett; his special ""lake"" families Arielle and Francine Gagnier of Medicine Hat and Mike and Char Drever of Medicine Hat. Many cousins, nieces and nephews will all miss his hugs and great sense of humor. He had a strong sense of family and genuinely cared about people.

Duane was predeceased by his brother Vernon (1955); father Henry (1981); mother Julia Emard (Fettig) (1989); stepmother Martha Emard (Jensen) (1988).

Duane was born in Lethbridge and raised in Bow Island. After marrying Darlene (Salamon) they lived in Bow Island, Medicine Hat, Nanaimo, Spirit River, and settling in Lethbridge.

Duane loved machinery and sculpting the earth. He established Emard Excavating in 1975, and was actively employed until his retirement in April of this year. The business is being carried on by his son Vern. He took great pride in driving around Lethbridge and the countryside saying 'we did this park, we developed this subdivision, we established this Colony, we leveled this land, we made this road.' He was a perfectionist when working with the land, passing his knowledge on to his sons. He was proud of his accomplishments and achievements in life.

Duane was a people person, he made friends everywhere he went; would spend hours talking about his grandchildren, his experiences, his travels, his work, and telling his jokes.

Duane loved to travel. He would say 'the motor-home is sitting in the driveway, motor running, let's go'. His favorite places and memories were fishing on Vancouver Island with Ken and Emily Thomas and Henry and Alda Kerner; the 'Office' in Cabo; and many trips to Yuma with Don and Donna Jenkins. This spring he discovered Phoenix with Dennis and Anne Young and was looking forward to a desert holiday this winter with wife Darlene, Allan Meroniuk and Jane Stab. He also loved quading and would head for the mountain every chance he got, or just 'inspecting' around the farm, and playing with his puppies.

Duane was a gentle spirit with a loving, kind, generous heart. All who knew him will miss him greatly and never forget him. He was a true friend.

Vigil Rites (prayers) will be held at 7:00PM on Friday, September 7, 2007 at MARTIN BROS RIVERVIEW CHAPEL, 610 - 4 Street South, Lethbridge, led by Deacon Clayton Twigg.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00AM on Saturday, September 8, 2007 at ST. MARTHA'S, 355 Columbia Blvd West, Lethbridge, with Father Mariusz Sztuk SDS celebrant. Cremation to follow.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Lethbridge Humane Society, PO Box 783, Lethbridge, AB T1J 3Z6.