George Ronald Riddell

George was born one of seven children in a small southeastern Saskatchewan town on Lapman, Saskatchewan to Lorne and Rilla Riddell. He attended school in Arcola, Saskatchewan where he completed grade 12. After he graduated, he became a grain buyer for the Pioneer Grain Company. He worked in Cononach, Saskatchewan and finally ending in Norquay. It was here that he met and married “the girl next door”, Debra Kortello. They were blessed with two daughters, Sheri and Wendi. It was a few years later that George decided to change careers and became a carpenter which he carried on until retirement. As the years went on, he and Debbie were then blessed with three beautiful grandchildren, Logan, Robin, and Grayson.

In 2009 he lost his partner and soul mate to illness but life, work, and coffee time continued. In 2017 he became paralyzed. His stubbornness and forte would not allow him to give up. He was in saskatoon for two years taking therapy to help him gain strength and learn to live with his disability. He was so determined to be independent he even tried to live in his own home, not without trying, he was unable to do so, but that did not stop him. He then became a resident of Norquay Lodge. God help the nurses. People always knew when it was spring not by the appearance of robins, it was George coming down the road and into town for a coffee, to check on is house, or shop. He remained at the Lodge until his passing.

He is survived by daughters; Sheri (Jim) Zelko and Wendi (Shawn) Reine, grandchildren; Logan and Grayson Reine and Robin (Chet) Zelko, brothers; Jim Riddell, Ted (Pat) Riddell, and Bob Riddell, sister; Lorna Riddell, brother-in-law Gerry (Deshane) Kortello, sisters-in-law Joanne (Ian) Abbott and Bonnie (Lionel) Danielson, and numerous nieces and nephews.

He is predeceased by his Wife Debra, Father and Mother; Lorne and Rilla, Father-in-law William Kortello, Mother-in-law Gladys Kortello, brother Arthur Riddell, sister Lois Woods, sister-in-law Karen Riddell, and brother-in-law Ken Woods.

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