Henry Matthew Pray

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Henry Pray of Humboldt, Sk. after many struggles with Parkinson’s disease.  Henry was a prairie boy born in the hamlet of Bruno and raised by his parents Hilda and Steve Pray alongside his two sisters Sylvia and Lucille.  He spent many years in the workforce helping farmers, operating cat, grader, and scrapers for road work, building the Gardiner Dam, and eventually becoming a journeyman mechanic.  He married Elvina Bartzen and was blessed with a family of 4 children in Saskatoon while working at Patrick Dodge as a mechanic.  In 1975 they built the farmhouse close to his homestead south of Carmel.  Henry was passionate about the land and the farm and enjoyed landscaping the grass and trees, building several outbuildings, grain bins, and the shop.  He loved to hunt, fish, skidoo, quad, and create special projects with his hands, often through wood working.  He enjoyed music, parties, dancing, playing cards, fixing everything, playing with the grandkids, teasing, telling jokes, and pulling pranks. 

Henry will be lovingly remembered by his former wife and life-long companion Elvina Pray, his three children and grandchildren Dayna (Allan) Keller and grandson Dawson, Andrea (Brent) Pittman and grandchildren Anthony, Andrew, and Bronwyn, and Darin Pray and fiancée April Pauli and children Brianna, Aaden, Zachary, and Xavier.  He is survived by his sister Lucille (Ed) Gamola, sister Sylvia (Walter) Hoppe and many nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends.  He was predeceased by his parents Steve Pray (1981) and Hilda (nee Monz) Pray (1991), older brother Wilfred, daughter Shauna and fiancée Dave Fredericks (1987), and grandson Jacob Baker/Pray (2020). 

The family wishes to express special appreciation to the caregivers of St. Mary’s Villa for their care over the last two years.  Charitable donations in memory of Henry may be made to Parkinson Canada or the Heart and Stroke Foundation.  A Funeral Service was held on Saturday, January 14, 2023, at 1:30 p.m. at Westminster United Church in Humboldt, SK, officiated by Rev. Brenda Curtis.  Interment  followed at the Humboldt Public Cemetery.