Verne Thomas Neal

Verne Thomas Neal January 11, 1951 ~ May 25, 2024 age 73.

Verne grew up in the Saltcoats Meadowvale district with early interests in cattle, 4-H and sports. He graduated from the Yorkton Regional High School in 1969. In 1971, he married the girl of his dreams Joanne Koroll. He went on to graduate with honors from the University of Saskatchewan in 1973 with his Bachelor of Science in Agriculture.

Verne began work as an assistant Ag. Rep. in Moose Jaw, moving on to be Ag. Rep. in Swift Current. Then, the move to Saltcoats to begin his farming career. He carried on the family tradition of raising horned hereford cattle, showing cattle at bull shows and sales with the comradery of good friends, especially the Kopelchuks and Scherloskis.

Verne and Joanne had three children; Penny (born 1975 in Swift Current); Amber (born 1976 in Saltcoats); and Ryan (born 1981 in Saltcoats).

Soon, activities in Saltcoats took up time along with farming. Verne was an active community member in the Saltcoats area and a part of many organizations: briefly on the agricultural society, many years with minor sports, some senior hockey, and, of course, baseball.

Verne’s loved baseball. He played in the South Saskatchewan Baseball League as he moved across the province, gathering friendships along the way. As a player, Verne was well-known for his hitting abilities and honored in the Saskatchewan Baseball Hall of Fame as part of the Swift Current Indians legacy. Later, he served on the Saskatchewan Baseball Association executive and enjoyed tournaments with the Sportsman in the 35+ senior baseball league. Fun times!

Verne coached many local teams, first a player/coach and then as a coach with his son Ryan’s teams. While Joanne drove the girls to dance lessons, Verne focused on coaching Ryan’s hockey and baseball teams, spending unforgettable times with “the boys” and his fellow coaches. Eventually, Verne joined forces with Kash and Bill to eventually take the boys to the Canadian Midget Baseball Championships. Hockey and baseball took him all around the province over the years. Such good memories!

In 1999, Verne began working with Con Agra in Yorkton and then moved on to a position with the CFIP farm program in Regina. In 2001, a car accident resulted in a disability that ended his farm-related career. His new normal was being a retired farm manager, phoning his girls daily, and becoming a part time babysitter for his grandson, Ethan.

In 2019, Verne became very ill with several health issues. He had his ups and downs over the following years. In 2023, Verne moved to the Esterhazy Care Home. After a short time there, he moved to Saltcoats Lakeside Manor Care Home in October of 2023. Back in his hometown, Verne had some good times with friends and family. He enjoyed the curling season at the rink, watching his granddaughter Addison’s games, and New Year’s Day at Boston Pizza with old school friends. All along, no matter how things were going, if you asked Verne “How are you?” he would say, “I feel good”.

Verne was predeceased by his mother and father, Tom and Phyllis Neal; his son, Ryan Neal; siblings, Lorne Neal and Joyce Niefer; and brother in-law Arnold Niefer.

He leaves behind his wife of 52 years, Joanne Neal; daughters Penny Neal (John Bawks) and Amber Fritzke (Evan); sister Lois Haas (Caspar); sister-in-law Pat Neal; daughter-in-law Adele Buchinski (Tyler); grandchildren Ethan Neal, Addison Neal, and Sophie Buchinski; and many nieces and nephews.

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