Obituary of Garnet Lorne Welin

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Garnet Lorne Welin.

Garnet was born in Lloydminster, Saskatchewan, on June 30, 1946, to Lloyd and Helen Welin. He was raised in Rivercourse, Alberta, where his parents ran the local general store until he was 13. The family then moved to Lloydminster, Alberta, where Garnet completed his schooling before heading to Edmonton to attend NAIT.

It was during his time in Edmonton that Garnet met the love of his life, Susan Robina Fraser. The two were married on April 17, 1971, in Edmonton, and soon after moved to Calgary. There, Garnet worked in oilfield sales while Susan worked as a stewardess for WardAir.

On July 17, 1973 they welcomed their first son, Jon Jason. After Jason’s birth, Garnet and his father went into business together, founding LloGar Building Systems, specializing in pre-engineered steel buildings. The young family moved back to Lloydminster to begin this new chapter.

Their family grew with the arrival of their second son, Kim Regan on October 15, 1977, and their third son, Kris Curtis on December 11, 1981.

Garnet never lost his deep connection to Rivercourse and began building the family’s forever home there in 1985. When his father retired, Garnet took over the business, later transitioning to his true passion — general construction.

In 1999, Kim decided to follow in his father’s footsteps, and from that year on, the two worked side by side, building homes, cabins, shops, and completing renovations across British Columbia, Northwest Territories, Alberta, and Saskatchewan.

Garnet had many loves in his life: his wife, his children, his grandchildren, their cabin at the lake — and of course, his work. He truly loved what he did and was the hardest-working man his family and friends will ever know.

Garnet is predeceased by his parents, Lloyd and Helen Welin, and leaves behind his loving wife of 53 years, Susan; his eldest son Jason, and Jason’s daughters Caighleigh and Allyson; his son Kim and wife Felicia, and their four children Ashlie, Rhaya, Jax, and Wren; and his son Kris and wife Brandi, and their two children Sutton and Skyla.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Garnet’s memory may be made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation.