HARVEY SR. SWEETGRASS, beloved husband of Adeline Sweetgrass, of the Blood Reserve, passed away at the Chinook Regional Hospital on Friday, May 20th, 2016 at the age of 62 years.

Besides his loving wife, he is survived by his children: MJ (Johnathan) Williams, Charlene (Quentin) Sweetgrass, Lynn (Rodrigo) Sweetgrass, Harvey Jr. Sweetgrass, Kyle Sr. (Lisa) Sweetgrass, Zachary Sweetgrass, and 11 grandchildren. He is also survived by his adopted daughters: Jasmine & Kristin Blood, and Shawna & Deanna Dayrider.

He is survived by his brothers: Butch Knife and Steven Crying Head; his sisters Joan Crying Head, Jackie Crying Head, Doreen Crying Head, Carol Crying Head and Crystal Curly Rider; his aunts Isabel Healy, Elizabeth (Martin) Vielle and Elsie First Rider.

He was predeceased by his dad John Sr. Sweetgrass; his sisters: Sylvia Crying Head and Verna Sweetgrass; his brothers: John Jr. Sweetgrass, Mickey Day Rider and Clifford Sweetgrass.

Harvey was born in Cardston, on July 2, 1953. At the age of five, his unfathomable work ethic started when his dad had him working on the family farm, he knew how to seed the land, brand cows, sheer sheep, tend to horses. This experience helped him gain even more knowledge later as an electrician, welder, carpenter and mechanic. To this day, his family remains the only family to have farmed their own land on the Blood Reserve. He was an excellent horseman, being one of the first and one of the last old time ranchers on the Blood Reserve. He worked hard to provide for his family, working in many different fields, including time at City Packers, Napi Lodge as an Addictions Counsellor, Kookoonoon Group Home as a Child and Youth worker, BTAP (where he was the first to obtain a certificate as a Pivot Operator and instrumental in the early stages of BTAP) and Ability Resource Centre as a Community Resource Worker. He gained the trust and respect of his clients, he sincerely enjoyed working with his clients at the Ability Resource Centre.

His hobbies included garage and auction sales, solving puzzles, shopping at the Western Stockman, dancing with his wife and going to Rodeos. He liked hunting and fishing with his sons, friends and grandchildren and travelling/camping with his family. At Easter, he would mastermind a complex Easter Egg Hunt for his kids and grandkids.

Even at 62 years of age, he was asked if he dyed his hair because he had few grey hairs.  He believed in not worrying and knew he would come up with the solution in the future that would help.

His horses were his pride and joy; Appaloosa’s were his favourite horse. He collected different animals such as pot-belly pigs, llamas, miniature goats and Shetland ponies.  He named his cats Kitty and Missy Kitty and wanted to name the next cat “Kitty Kat.” 

He was very generous, trustworthy, thoughtful, respectful, strong-willed and determined. Friendly to everyone, he had a great sense of humour and was known for his unconditional love. He was always eager to help anyone. He enjoyed spoiling his grandchildren; what his grandchildren wanted was what he wanted for them. He thought of people’s well-being before he thought of himself. He loved to start off the day with Tim Horton’s coffee and end the day next to his wife, Adeline. He believed any man should provide for his family and work for what they needed and wanted. He bestowed this work ethic onto his children.

A Funeral Service will be held at the SOUTH HILL CHAPEL – 348 3rd Street West, Cardston, AB. on Wednesday, May 25th, 2016 at 11:00 A.M. with President Garry Fox officiating.

Interment will be held at the Sweetgrass Ranch. 

In lieu of flowers and in memory of Harvey, please make a donation to the Canadian Diabetes Association – 1510 2nd Avenue South, Lethbridge, Alberta, T1J 0G1.

To send a condolence, please visit www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com

 

 

 

• Date : 2016-05-20
• Location : Lethbridge, Alberta