Kenneth Duncan Matheson MacNaughton had many names which also included Husband, Dad, Pops, Grandpa, Papa, Kenneth and to his friends Matt! He was born on October 2, 1919 in Duval, SK, the only child of Kenneth and Annie May MacNaughton. They farmed in the Duval area. At the very young age of nine he lost his father, which was devastating. After five years of drought the family decided to move. They had received a letter from the Much family stating that there was lots of water and green grass in the Norquay area. After a long journey on the train with all their worldly possessions (with Matt riding in the boxcar with the livestock). Matt, his mother and step-father arrived in Norquay. They purchased a farm in the Arabella district. Matt always said they thought it was heaven seeing all the water and green grass. In his early 20's Matt joined the army. He got to travel across Canada from Valcartier, Quebec to Victoria, British Columbia. He served until the war was over and he returned to the farm. He met the love of his life Elsie while delivering meat to the Taylor family in Hyas. They married in 1947 and took over the farm at Arabella. This is where they raised their five children Ken, Keith, Karmen and Karen - by the time they got to the 5th child they left behind the "K" tradition and called him Neil! Their family began to grow and they were soon blessed by ten grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. The family all worked together on their mixed farm and Elsie worked side by side with Matt at everything. Matt enjoyed tinkering and always kept his machinery in top shape. He passed his love of mechanics on to his boys and grandchildren. Matt was always ready to lend a hand, whether it was helping a neighbour finish harvest, pulling a calf, lending his machinery or plowing the roads. He would do anything and everything to help a friend. Matt always made time for his family. One of his greatest joys was going for a Sunday drive, exploring new roads. The day usually ended with a wiener roast at Ranch lake. Matt loved the outdoors and told many stories about the fun he had on hunting and fishing excursions with family, friends and neighbours. He enjoyed harvest, looking forward to meals on the tailgate of the truck with family. He was always happy to see the dust of the truck bringing lunches and supper out to the field. Due to Matt's multiple hip surgeries, Ken took over the family farm in 1975. Matt and Elsie moved to Norquay, luckily finding a house next to their old neighbours from the farm, the Sapachs'. Even though he was supposed to be retired he went to the farm everyday. He had to make sure everything was done right! He loved helping in the field and was always more than happy to make a run to Larsons for parts. Matt was an active member of the Norquay legion for many years. Fun times were spent playing card and visiting with family and friends. In 2004 Matt and Elsie moved to Queen Elizabeth Court in Yorkton. They made many new friends and enjoyed all the activities there. When Matt's health began to fail he moved to Morris House at the Yorkton & District Nursing Home were he received excellent care. He always made the best of every situation and never complained. He took part in all the activities and loved the entertainment. Matt loved to read and read as many Western novels as the Yorkton Library could find. Matt loved his fiddle music and a visitor would always make him smile. He spent many hours doing his Word Search puzzles but the highlight of his day was when his wife of 67 years visited him daily. On Tuesday, September 16, 2014 at the age of 94 (two weeks short of his 95th birthday) Matt passed away at the Yorkton Regional Health Centre with his family by his side. He will be sadly missed but lovingly remembered by all who had the blessing of knowing him. Matt was predeceased by his parents, Kenneth and Annie May (nee Matheson) MacNaughton and his first grandson, Shaun Kenneth MacNaughton. He leaves to mourn his passing and cherish his memory, his loving and beloved wife of 67 years, Elsie of Yorkton, SK; his children, Ken (Shirley) MacNaughton of Canora, SK, Keith (Lorine) MacNaughton of Prince Albert, SK, Karmen (Barry) Kurucz of Alta Vista, SK, Karen (Steve) Wolos of Alta Vista, SK and Neil (Barb) MacNaughton of North Battleford, SK; ten grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren as well as many other relatives and good friends. A Celebration of Matt's life was held on Friday, September 19, 2014 from the Chapel of Christie's Funeral Home with Lay Worship Leader, Tricia Challoner officiating. Words of Tribute and Eulogy were shared by granddaughters, Twyla Waldbauer and Lori Daelick. Organist, Melody Whitrow, led the congregation in the singing of the hymns, "Softly and Tenderly" and "The Old Rugged Cross". To further celebrate Matt's love for music his grandson, Troy MacNaughton sang "I Want to Stroll Over Heaven With You", his daughter-in-law, Shirley MacNaughton sang "Sowin' Love" and Melody Whitrow sang "Danny Boy". The honourary pallbearers were all those who shared in Matt's life and his grandson, Troy MacNaughton was the urn bearer. Legion Funeral Rites were conducted with Pastor Rick Gibson serving as the Padre and Peter Wyatt as the Sergeant-At-Arms. The Color Party was George Arnold, Ed St. Pierre, Fred Bodnaryk, Russell Bisschop and other members of the General Alexander Ross Branch #77 of the Royal Canadian Legion. The Cremation Committal will take place in the Duval Cemetery, Duval, SK at a later date. Friends so wishing may forward their condolences to the family by visiting www.christiesfuneralhome.com. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Christie's Funeral Home & Crematorium, Yorkton, Saskatchewan.
