Keith Harper
Jan. 20, 1953 – Jan. 7, 2025

It is with extreme sadness we announce the unexpected passing of Keith Harper on Jan. 7, 2025, after a brief illness.

John “Keith” Harness Harper was born in Calgary, Alta., on Jan. 20, 1953, the second child and first son of John and Jean (Blackie) Harper of Priddis, Alta. He lived on the family farm until 1964 when the family moved to the John and Bertha Berger farm on the Taimi Road, northeast of Rocky Mountain House.

Keith was heavily involved in the Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps, Yukon Division Rocky Mountain House, from 1967 to 1971. He participated in the 1967 Centennial Warship muster at Comox, as well as the Sea Cadets U.S./Canada exchange in 1969. He earned several proficiency awards during this time.

Keith graduated from Rocky Mountain House Jr. Sr. High School in 1971. He worked for a short time for Seisform Drilling Ltd. and Alberta Lands and Forests, Provincial Parks, before joining the family dairy farm in 1972.

Keith and Robin were married in 1980, settling in the home they built together on the Wib Oja quarter, just a few miles from the home farm. Two boys were added to the family, Dennis in 1980 and Russell in 1982. They have been Keith’s pride and joy throughout his life, which was only surpassed by his love for his grandchildren. In about 1985, the dairy operation expanded to the new farm with Keith at the helm. In the fall of 1995, after much deliberation, it was decided to retire the dairy and move into a commercial cow-calf operation. As this would leave Keith with more time on his hands, he decided to work off the farm “for the winter…” with Bunch Welding Ltd. They had other plans and had him apprentice as a boom truck operator, and by 1997 he had his journeyman certificate. This took him all over Alberta and southeastern Saskatchewan for the next 23 years, leaving Robin and the boys to pick up the slack on the farm. During this time, they bought a half section (Fedderson farm) northeast of Leslieville adjacent to Hwy. 12 (2001). Hard times were ahead as the BSE outbreak soon hit, and thank goodness for that Bunch Welding paycheque!

In 2014, it was time to sell the Taimi farm and make the move to the Fedderson place, where Dennis was already living on the south side of the highway. Keith and Robin set up on the north side where they built a shop while waiting for their new home to arrive. All this time, the cow herd was expanding and crops were being grown, all while everyone worked off the farm.

Just when we thought we were living in our last home, Dennis came along with an idea – let’s move to Saskatchewan! We can buy more land, grow more crops and stop working off the farm! The hurdle was getting Mom to agree, and after not much thinking about it, she said “Why not!”. So, the hunt was on to find a new farm and start dispersing what we wouldn’t be taking with us. This occurred with unbelievable speed and precision thanks to Dennis and Keith’s organizational skills and hard work.

We put in our first crop in the Saltcoats, Sask., area on 800 acres of rented land in May 2018, as the land we purchased wasn’t available until the next year, which turned out okay, as it gave us time to set up two home sites and get settled in.

Keith was predeceased by his parents, John and Jean Harper, and his in-laws, George Reekie and Heather Reekie, sister-in-law Belinda Mainprize and brother-in-law Tim Gardiner.

Keith will be greatly missed by his loving wife of 44 years, Robin; his sons, Dennis (Nikki) and Russell; and grandsons: Nathan, Lane and Blake. He is survived by all his siblings: Merridith Rahm, Kevin Harper and Shelagh (Dwayne) Bunch, as well as his sister-in-law Jody Reekie and several cousins, nieces and nephews. His animal companions, Roxy and Trevor, and grand-dogs Jack and Angus will also miss his treats and ear and belly rubs.

The memorial service was held on Friday, Jan. 24, 2025, from the Yorkton Memorial Gardens Family Centre with Crystal Bailey, Certified Celebrant, officiating. Candance Richardson read a poem, “Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep” and tributes and words of remembrance were shared by Dennis, Russell, Lane and Blake Harper. The musical selections were “I Believe” by George Strait and “Waitin’ On a Woman” by Brad Paisley. Lane Harper and Blake Harper served as the urn bearers for the interment in Prairie View Columbarium, Yorkton Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, donations in loving memory of Keith Harper may be made to a charity of one’s choice as gifts of remembrance. Condolences may be shared at baileysfuneralhome.com.