PETE SKIHAR

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PETE SKIHAR September 19, 1925 - March 14, 2003 Ode To A Cowboy (Tribute to Pete Skihar) I want to tell a story, about a real good hand, Although he lives in Manitoba, hes a cowboy in any land. He went to Alberta early, before he was twenty years old. To try his hand at rodeo, a sport where you gotta be bold. He worked on some big ranches, and never refused a fight. Got to know some top cowboys, Herman Linder and Pete Knight. He was the first man to help me, throw a rope straight and true To give that special curl, top hands can make it do. He was always there to help us, as we started down the road, Around the chutes was his haven, never shrinkin from the load. He worked for community pastures, his ropin smooth as silk. Doctorin foot rots and pink eyes, on his faithful Buttermilk. He raised a wonderful daughter, with the help of his good wife. And done what he had to do, to get through this old life. Im proud to call you a friend, see were just about the same. Some think us a little rough, and plenty hard to tame. Now that youre retired, rest, youve more than done your share. Just pass your burden over, to the Lord and Masters care. Ill stop by and see you, and have a drink or two, And if you want to rope one, Ill be right there with you. God Bless, Your Friend, Chuck Manness On Friday, March 14, 2003, with the love of family and friends all around him, Pete Skihar saddled up his beloved mare, Buttermilk, and rode down a new trail. From the time he was a little boy he dreamed of being a cowboy and unlike most people, he was able to live his dream. He wasnt just a cowboy, though, he was the best cowboy imaginable. Pete had tremendous strength, both physical and emotional. He acted as a patient teacher and mentor to younger fellows who wanted to be like him. His gentle, yet firm nature, his love for horses, and his gift for training them, combined with his work ethic, his sense of humour and bravery made him a true hero in the chutes, on the range, in the pastures, on the highway, and in everyday life. Pete started working at age seven with an axe in his hands and continued to work hard all his life. When he came back from rodeo and cowboy work in Cardston, AB he helped out on his fathers farm. He also worked in the bush camps and in the mines in Ontario. Later he operated a successful dairy farm in his home of Woodlands. He then worked many years for Harry Enns, roping, riding, branding, tending to herds of cattle on the lake front, always enjoying the romantic lifestyle of a cowboy. Peter spent many years on the barren prairies of Saskatchewan at Tyvan Community Pasture, then at Woodlands Community Pasture. He finished up his working career at the Highway Department. Pete was a loving and devoted father and husband who always provided for his family. He was loved and cherished in return by his family every single moment. He was generous to a fault and helped many along lifes rocky roads, asking nothing in return. There is nothing stronger than a gentle man with strong hands and a kind heart - that was Pete. Pete also enjoyed making music for himself and others with his fiddle, boxing, wrestling, horseback riding "in the back" and "on the lakefront" with Arlene, Isabell, Andrew Enns, Patty Ross and others, "putt putts in the truck", sharing stories in the tent and at the kitchen table, a mischievous prank and the laughter and company of good friends. Pete was predeceased by his father William and his mother Mary; his sisters, Kay, Ann and Mary; and his brother Earl. He is survived by his wife Isabell; and his daughter and best friend Arlene; sisters, Rose (Abe) and Eleanor (Allen) his "daughters", Patty Ross and Marjorie Olson; his "granddaughters:, Hilary Holland, Kristina Koenig and Sarah McDermid; his best bud and "son" Chuck Manness; sister-in-law Jane (Bob) Lecours; sister-in-law Arleen Sinclair; nieces, nephews, other family members, Hattie, Pickles, Lukas, Alaska and countless friends. Isabell and Arlene would like to extend their gratitude to Dr. John Mohamdee, Dr. Moe Lerner and all the nurses and staff at Stonewall Hospital for their respectful treatment and compassionate care of Papa, and to Palliative Care Resource Co-ordinator and angel, Vera Appleyard for her care and warmth, to MacKenzies Funeral Home for their kindness and understanding and our angel who was always there, sister-in-law Arleen Sinclair. Cremation has taken place and a tribute to Pete will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, anyone who chooses to, may make a donation in Petes memory to the Canadian Cancer Society, Heart and Stroke Foundation, Stonewall Hospital, Interlake Palliative Care Services or the Winnipeg Humane Society. "You went the distance Papa and you lived your dream. Ride freely with the wind at your back and the sun in your face with Clint and Uncle Jim. Saddle up Montoya and Flicka - well catch up with you later." There are no good-byes for us Papa, only love. MacKenzie Funeral Home, Stonewall, in care of arrangements.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 20, 2003