Wesley E. Laturnus

Wesley E. Laturnus

April 23, 1958 – July 16, 2019

Wesley Earl Laturnus, 61, husband of Dayna Lynn Laturnus of Saskatoon, SK, passed away after a long battle with cancer into the presence of his Lord and Savior on July 16, 2019 at St. Paul’s Hospital in Saskatoon.

Wesley was born on April 23, 1958 in Prince Albert, SK to Joseph (Joe) and Gladys (Harstad) Laturnus. He was their first child. Wes’s younger years were spent in Prince Albert, SK. Throughout his earlier school-aged years Wes loved riding dirt bikes, playing piano and baseball until he experienced a significant eye injury which impacted his ability to continue playing sports. ln 1970 the family moved to North Battleford and in Wes’s ninth grade year he attended St. Thomas College. This experience made an indelible impact on him and from that moment forward to his death he sought out opportunities to learn and grow in his knowledge and faith in God. The following year Wes’s family moved to Saskatoon where he attended Walter Murray School until his twelfth grade graduation.

Wes’s inquisitive mind and insatiable appetite for knowledge took him on an exciting learning journey that encompassed a wide range of opportunities academically, emotionally and spiritually in Canada, the U.S. and England. His passion was to be a prison chaplain and all higher education he attained was to this end. Wes attended bible college at Bethany Bible College (Hepburn), Concord College (Winnipeg), Capernwray Bible School (Lancashire) and Horizon College and Seminary  (Saskatoon). Wes completed a Master of Divinity from Lutheran Seminary (U of S), a Master of Arts (Counselling) from Providence Theological Seminary (Otterburne, MB), and a Master of Education in Guidance and Counselling from Brandon University (Brandon, MB). Wes also completed a Diploma in Counselling from Westminster Seminary (Escondido, CA). He received a diploma in Human Resources from Saskatchewan Polytech.

In 1996 Wesley met the love of his life, Dayna Borgfjord, married her eight months later and started their married life in Brandon, MB. Wes immediately started working on his Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) units for institutional chaplaincy by travelling to Headlingley Correctional Institute weekly for training where he completed two basic units. In 1999 Wesley was ordained with the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada. Shortly after this time Wes and Dayna moved to Edmonton where Wes furthered his pastoral training by completing more advanced CPE units while doing a one year’s residency at Royal Alexandra Hospital. During this time he also began doctoral studies at the University of Alberta. Wes and Dayna’s first child, Carsen, was born while in Edmonton. Following the residency Wes and Dayna returned to Brandon, MB where he began to work as a chaplain at Brandon Correctional Facility.

Two years later Wes was offered a chaplaincy position at Quinte Detention Centre in Napanee, ON so they decided to relocate to Ontario. Within days of this move their second child, Darryne, was born. Following a period of time in Ontario Wes, Dayna and family decided to return to Brandon, MB. Upon their return Wes focused his time on raising their children, on renovating homes, and on continuing to learn. He always had a passion for Student Services and decided to explore this through training at Red River College (Winnipeg) where he completed advanced certification in Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition. Wes then began his M.Ed. at Brandon University with a focus on Student Services. Several years later their youngest, Braesten-Boyd, was born. ln 2011 the family decided to relocate to Saskatoon where they continue to reside. During Wes’s time in Saskatoon he worked as a Clinical Counsellor with two different agencies.

Wesley loved his family and was especially passionate about his wife and children. He made it his mission to ensure that they were loved, protected and well-cared for. When he spent time with his children he loved being silly, creative, and spontaneous. He always put their needs ahead of his own. Wes consistently demonstrated impeccable character. He had an innate ability to complete all things with high integrity and was a man of his word. Wes was very generous to others and was known to literally give someone the shirt off of his back. He cared deeply for the welfare of others and took every opportunity to do what he could to help anyone in need. Wes was frequently heard saying, ”Consider the interests and needs of others above yourself.” He was a model of perseverance. Wes never gave up when life dealt difficult circumstances and instead he continually explored other options until a way was made.

Wes loved adventure, motorcycles (Harley Davidsons) and Corvettes and throughout his life owned numerous motorcycles and corvettes. He loved antiques and appreciated those items that had a meaningful story to go along with them. Wes was passionate about books and during the 22 years that Wes and Dayna were married he owned over 25,000 volumes on a range of high interest topics (theology, counselling, multi-faith, education and religion). He could recite for memory extensive information on each book he owned including the relevance of each book for the past, the present and the future to each discipline. Most importantly, Wes’s greatest passion was his love for his Savior and Lord. He was a man of conviction, constant in prayer and was quick to love, forgive, ask for forgiveness and extend grace to others. His most prized possession was his Bible which he guarded carefully throughout his life.

Wes is survived by his wife, Dayna; sons Carsen and Braesten—Boyd; and daughter Darryne; parents Joseph and Gladys Laturnus; sister Lorelie Odnokon (Dave); and brother Chuck; Aunt Alice Pryce; Aunt Carol (Laturnus) and Pius Senger; and many cousins, nieces and nephews and their families. Despite his terminal diagnosis Wes always walked forward with faith and hope in his Creator.

There were many people that provided Wes with amazing care. The family would like to extend, with deep gratitude, thank you to the staff at the Cancer Centre, RUH, City Hospital, and St. Paul’s Hospital that cared for him during his illness, to the palliative staff from Client Patient Access Services who frequented our home many times, and to the palliative team at St. Paul’s who helped to make his last days peaceful for all family members. The family would also like to thank all family and friends who provided support throughout Wes’s journey. Wes was fortunate to have you all as a part of his life.

Funeral Service will be at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, July 22, 2019 at Ebenezer Baptist Church, 107 McWillie Ave, Saskatoon, SK with Rev. Robert Butler officiating. Following the funeral the interment will be at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers donations could be made to support Wes’s children’s education.  Arrangements entrusted to Katrina Funk – DALMENY FUNERAL HOME 306-254-2022.