Glen Dixon Straker

     With heavy hearts, the children of Glen Straker announce his passing in Regina, SK on Sunday, September 10, 2023. On his final day, he was surrounded by his children, who he adored more than anything else in the world.

     Glen was born on February 8, 1942 in Lestock, SK to Harold and Josephine Straker. He attended elementary school in Punnichy at the old brick school commonly known in the area as "the castle". The family later moved to Regina where he continued his schooling at Haultain Public School and Central Collegiate until it was decided he knew enough and it was time to enter the work force.

     He worked a variety of jobs in Regina, with his first being at National Drugs.  In Regina, he met the love of his life, Beverly (Borsa). They were married in Carrot River, SK on May 18, 1968, and then moved to Saskatoon to pursue employment. In 1970, they moved to Punnichy SK, where they managed the local hotel and later became the sole proprietors for many years. During this time, they also purchased land and moved to the farm where Glen and Beverly lived until their final days. That very farm was where they raised their 3 children; Jason, Jeffery and Jill.

     Through the years, Glen did what was needed by working other jobs to support his family and the farm, as most farmers did back then, and still do today. In 1979, he graduated from the Western Canada School of Auctioneering Ltd. in Lacombe, AB, and went to work auctioning for a large industrial equipment auction company. This work took him away from home and he eventually decided to start his very own auctioning company based from the farm near Punnichy - Straker Auction Services. Glen, Beverly, and friends/employees served many customers through the years auctioning farms and estates. Through this line of work he was able to collect and become familiar with antiques and their values. He always had a keen eye at the sales and if he felt his customers weren't getting the appropriate prices for their belongings, he would work the crowd until he got them a fair dollar.  He was also aware of the entertainment a good auction could provide, and was able to keep a light tone and add jokes on-the-fly.

     Music was also a big part of his life. The basement jam sessions with all the neighbours gathering were legendary. In the basement blue with cigarette smoke, guitars, accordions, fiddles, piano, and anyone who cared to sing along or get up to dance, would continue into the wee hours of the night.  Glen loved bluegrass music and learned to play the banjo because of it. Many of nights he would plink away at learning a new tune down in the basement "studio".

     One of his greatest loves was the outdoors. He loved hunting and fishing, and many days were spent fishing at Tobin Lake and later in life, Codette Lake. Moose season was always a big production. A large group from Punnichy would head off into the frozen forest in November in search of the elusive moose. Glen loved every minute of it and made lifelong friends through these activities. 

     Glen was a proud father and would talk away on coffee row about his children's achievements. Later in life, this would turn to his grandchildren's achievements. He loved attending events they were taking part in, cheering from the stands or heckling the officials.

     He loved his little town of Punnichy and was a big part of the community.  A longtime member of the local golf and curling clubs, he supported events through the hotel or auction company.  If you search online there is a video of him speaking to a news crew of the last grain elevator to fall in town. If you listen to his words, really listen, he could be speaking of himself. As the town has faded from its former glory days, he refused to give up on it. That area was his home and that was that.

     Glen is survived by his son, Jason (Joni) Straker and their children Jacob and Jonathan, son, Jeffery Straker and partner Michael Templeton, daughter, Jill Straker and her daughter Piper, sister Pat Hogberg nee Straker and her children Pam and Kim. There are also numerous nieces, nephews and cousins along with their families.

     He was predeceased by his mother Josephine Straker nee Kachaluba, father Harold Straker, mother-in-law Jean Borsa, father-in-law Bohdan Borsa, brother-in-law George Hogberg and his wife, Beverly Straker nee Borsa.

A Memorial Service will be held 11:00 am on Saturday, September 16, 2023

at Punnichy Community Hall

Memorial Donations in Glen’s name can be made to

the following:

Telemiracle Foundation

2217C Hanselman Court  ∙ Saskatoon, SK ∙ S7L 6A8

- or -

SPCA Saskatchewan

PO Box 37 ∙ Saskatoon, SK ∙ S7K 3K1