Obituary of Donald Jacob Yantz

September 12, 1939 – Stoughton, Saskatchewan

January 10, 2025 – Calgary, Alberta

Donald Jacob Yantz passed away peacefully on Friday, January 10, 2025, after a brief illness. He was born on the farm in Stoughton, SK, on September 12, 1939, the middle child of Rose and Jacob. His childhood was spent on various farms around that area until moving to Regina, SK, where he spent his non-schooling time delivering telegraphs on his bicycle. At the age of fourteen, he left school and moved to Calgary, AB. These were destitute times for him, but he was able to secure his first job, setting type at a print shop in the Inglewood area, and never looked back. Many of the relationships he made in this neighbourhood would become his lifelong friends. This is where he spent his teen years into his early 20s.

Don secured his barbering license and moved to Airdrie, AB, in 1966. He was a busy man, trying to support his family and creating lasting ties to the Airdrie area. He opened a barber shop and pool room. He was always happy to take the money of his patrons in a game of cribbage. This eventually became a laundromat. In 1976, he switched gears and obtained his real estate license, which he continued until his retirement in 2009.  In every sense of the meaning, he was a self-sufficient, self-made man.

In his spare time, Don coached hockey and curled. He loved all sports, baseball, hockey, curling, and football. He was a diehard Saskatchewan Roughriders fan. He loved to play pool and was a bit of a shark at it. He liked a good poker or blackjack game and was also a bit of an ace at Crokinole. An even bigger ace at cribbage. He loved to dance, especially a good polka. He also loved to travel. There were many camping adventures, yearly trips to Las Vegas and Palm Springs, USA, cruises, an RV trip to New Orleans, and Mexican vacations. He was always up for a good road trip, be it going back to Saskatchewan or down to the Oregon Coast.

Don had quite the sweet tooth. He loved nothing more than a dessert bar where he could fill his plate with an array of treats.  He was also known to down three full-size chocolate bars in one sitting because one was never enough. And pumpkin pie was not just for the holidays.

More than anything, however, Don loved his family. He loved the get-togethers where everyone was involved, like our Christmas Eve or Canada Day parades. Nothing made his eyes light up more than to see everyone come together.  He was able to make our blended family feel like one, which is not a task that just anyone can achieve. His capacity for love was tremendous, and he loved us all unconditionally.

Don is survived by his wife of 27 years, Susan; his children, Wendy (Rod), Wade, and Tammy (Jack); his grandchildren, Ryan (Eleese), Michael (Lindsay), Katie (Shane), Taylor (Savannah), Brooke (Andrew), Ashly (Sheldon), and Joshua (Karys);  his nine great-grandchildren; his brother, Darcy (Susan); and his sisters, Dolores (Tim), Rhonda (Laury), and Dianne (Dwight).

He will also be greatly missed by his stepchildren and grandchildren, Erika, Mal, Kaytlin (Brendon), Jacob, Matty, Kylie, Makayla, and Ezra; his nieces, nephews, and cousins; and his extended Oregon family. He was loved by us all.

Don was predeceased by his father, Jacob Yantz; his mother, Rose Hume; his sister, Pearl Leibel; brother, Harvey Yantz; and daughter, Laurie Peters.

The family would like to thank all the staff at Airdrie Care Community and Peter Lougheed Centre. Also, a special thank you to his cribbage-playing partner, Ken Maines.

If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Airdrie Care Community Recreation Department, 15 Market Blvd SE, Airdrie, AB, Telephone: (403) 980-5430, Website: www.airdriecarecommunity.com,  or to The Alzheimer Society of Calgary, 800, 7015 Macleod Trail S.W., Calgary, AB  T2H 2K6, Telephone: (403)290-0110, www.alzheimercalgary.com.

In keeping with Don’s wishes, a family memorial service will be held at a later date.

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Donald’s family here.

In living memory of Donald Yantz, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Airdrie, 300 Towerlane Drive, Airdrie, AB T4B 3L8, Telephone: 403-948-1100.