Yvonne Beryl Muir

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Obituary 

It is with great sadness the family of Yvonne Beryl Muir, 84 years, of Spalding and formerly of Script and Nora, announce her sudden passing on November 5, 2025. Yvonne was born on December 19, 1940, in Rose Valley and was raised by her parents Olger and Flora Gjerde (nee Rondeau) on the family farm northwest of Nora. She obtained her education at Nora and Archerwill schools where she graduated in 1959. Being the eldest child, Yvonne was a significant help to her parents which included daily farm chores, helping in the kitchen, gardening, and looking after her younger siblings. Yvonne loved music and would ride the train each week from Nora to Rose Valley to take piano lessons and also figure skating. She fondly remembers evenings at the Gjerde home accompanying her father on violin as she played the piano. In 1959, she moved to Prince Albert where she would complete her registered nursing degree in 1962. In 1957, she met Douglas Muir of Scrip and they were married in 1963. In that year, Yvonne and Douglas purchased the half section where they would build their home and raise their family. The next five years were busy with Yvonne employed as an RN at the Rose Valley Union Hospital and Douglas and his dad continuing to build up the farm. During this time, they were able to enjoy several memorable trips to B.C., the USA, and Expo 67.

Between 1969 and 1977 Yvonne and Douglas started their family and were blessed with five children: Shane, Wayne, Keith, James and Shelley. Yvonne and Douglas farmed with Douglas’s father William through the 50s, 60s, and 70s, until his passing in 1981. It wasn’t long afterwards that their children were able to fill in and help with the farming operation. It was an enjoyable time in the 1980s and early 90s with a busy, active family and plenty of helping hands. In addition to farming and raising cattle, Yvonne also had a busy life off the farm. Many hours were spent driving her children to a variety of activities: hockey games, piano lessons, dance classes, scouts and girl guides. Yvonne was very active in the scouting community and enjoyed serving as a Girl Guide leader for seven years. She was also active in the community, volunteering whenever she could and serving on both the Rose Valley parent-teacher association and the Wadena School Division board. Each summer, her family spent time at Marean Lake while the kids took swimming lessons. Yvonne and Douglas took several memorable family vacations including Disney World and Expo 86.

Yvonne capably held every role imaginable on their farm – veterinarian, grain hauler, gardener, and bookkeeper – plus every household job including chef, baker, seamstress and appliance repair person. However, Yvonne’s real love and passion was in the arts. She took painting classes and created many quality pieces of art. She learned to play guitar and loved to sing along. She took voice lessons, entered music and singing festivals, and earned with honours a Grade 6 singing certification from the Royal Conservatory of Music. The movies and television programs she enjoyed most were musicals or competitions that involved singing and dancing.

In 1993, James began farming with Yvonne and Douglas and together they continued to grow their farming operation. That same year, Yvonne completed her nursing upgrade and began working at the Kelvington Lodge. In 2005, Yvonne and Douglas moved from their family farm to the town of Spalding while son James and Lisa moved to their home quarter. Before long, James and Lisa had three boys of their own and Yvonne and Douglas were back at it with a whole new generation of Muir boys. After phasing out of cattle and having some extra time away from the farm, Yvonne and Douglas had the opportunity to travel. They enjoyed many cruises, bus tours, and trips to Europe, Alaska, Australia and Mexico.

Yvonne continued to stay busy in her new community of Spalding. She served on the board for the Seniors Center, assisting with fundraising and books. She also served as the Spalding mayor for a number of years. She always looked forward to traveling to various communities and care homes to sing, play and entertain on her keyboard. This was her happy place!

In her home, Yvonne continued to work on her many ongoing projects. She enjoyed sewing, organizing, taking inventory and keeping record of everything. Yvonne loved to hear about her grandchildren’s activities and accomplishments and loved nothing more when all the kids and grandkids could gather for holiday meals and visits. Following Douglas’s passing in 2023, Yvonne continued to live in their home in Spalding, enjoying good health until the summer of 2025 when she began to feel the impacts of cancer, which led to a fatal stroke on November 5, 2025. Yvonne was the bedrock of the Muir family and gave us our roots and strength. Her love was constant, her presence unwavering and her incredible strength is the foundation we will keep building on for the rest of our lives.

Yvonne will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her four children and twelve grandchildren: Wayne (Leah) Muir of Lloydminster, AB and family Aidan and Ian; Keith (Deb) Muir of Regina and family Tiann and Jenna; James (Lisa) Muir of Rose Valley and family Luke, Oliver and Ben; and Shelley Muir (Brock Balint) and family Hunter, Noah, Silas, Kate, and Cadence of Shields; foster son Dale (Violet) Hauck and son Michael (Kathy) and family Ari and Leona. Siblings: Wilford Gjerde, Clifford Gjerde, Gerald (Dianne) Gjerde, and Brenda (Gord) Prevost; sisters and brothers-in law: Margaret (Bill) Dowling and Heather (Robin) Hannah; and 21 nieces, nephews and numerous extended families. Yvonne was predeceased by her son Shane (1974), husband Douglas (2023), father Olger (1968) and mother Flora (2011).

A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, November 15th, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. at the Spalding Community Hall in Spalding, SK.

Memorial Donations in Yvonne's name can be made to:

Quill Plains Health Care Foundation Inc. | PO Box 277 | Watson, SK | S0K 4V0