Kelstern Saskatchewan, The Town Of One's Photo Gallery by Mike Stobbs at pbase.com

Kelstern Saskatchewan, The Town Of One's

The title tell's the story of the remains of Kelstern, all that is left is one shop, one house, one corral, one shed, one burned down house, one foundation, one street, one swing set, one tricycle, one school yard and one lonely and weathered sign. Even the road sign that once marked this town now lies covered in the ditch. If you did not know this was once Kelstern you would drive right by and it's only yards off the highway.
I hope you enjoy these images of Kelstern.........Mike

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Guest		09-Mar-2012 14:08
Kate Hobin My first home was Kelstern from 1951 to 56. My father, Jake Taves, owned and operated a general store. My memories....... He had a wind charger and wired the whole town with electricity (He later sold to Saskatchewan Power), built the town's wooden sidewalks, and had the first TV. I used to travel with him in his big truck out to local farms to deliver gasoline. He also owned stores in Shamrock and Hodgeville. Dad, Mom (Evelyn), my sister (Darcey Kerr) and I moved to Saskatoon in 1956 where Dad owned Churchill Hardware and we girls went through public school and university. Dad passed away in 2005 after almost 94 years. We three (Mom, sis and me and our hubbies) now live in Ontario (Niagara-on-the-Lake) and Arizona. My sister and I still own the land upon which our home and store were built. The structures have long since disappeared with only some foundation remaining. My daughter, an archivist, found this site for us!! Thanks!

Dennis J. Tiessen		26-Nov-2011 15:43
I am currently doing a family history and traced my ancestors to Kelstern. My great great grandfather, Johann Thiessen (1835-1914) was buried in Kelstern. Sorry to hear that nothing is left of the town...I would have visited there. It would have been nice to have photos of the Elim MB Church where Johann was a member.

Peggy		15-Nov-2011 00:08
My mom Vera Walsh lived in Kelstern from 1925 to 1937. My mom and her sister Ethel lived with Mr. and Mrs. Albert Akins. Trying to find more info about the area such as pics etc. Would also like to find more info about Akins family. Please post or provide communications means.

Lori Deobald		18-Mar-2011 15:45
Message for Barry Koski, I live in the Kelstern area. When my grandfather first homesteaded in 1909 his mailing address was Queen Centre. When we worked on the RM of Lawtonia History book (2005) including Kelstern area we searched high and low for a copy of the Queen Centre book and were unsucessful. Many people contact our local museum at Hodgeville, SK searching for information on the Kelstern / Queen Centre area. If anyone out there has a copy they no longer want we would love to receive a copy of the book for our small town local museum. Lori Deobald g.deobald@sasktel.net

Margaret		13-Mar-2011 20:28
Hi Barry, The Swift Current Branch Library would be interested in seeing your book. We have recently received a genealogy request for relatives who were from Kelstern. could you bring or send the book in for us to research our genealogy request

Barry Koski		09-Aug-2010 21:52
My grandparents John and Lena Remple were from Kelstern, and my mother Marjorie Remple (Koski), and her brother Archie, and sister Shirley (Gallant) were all raised in Kelstern. John remple owned a farm implement business in Hodgeville. I have a book that was compiled and written about Kelstern, and the surronding District. All the above people are deceased, and I would like to pass this book on to someone, who may like to read it.

Guest		11-Jun-2010 19:53
hi my grandpas family and him self are from kelstern there is evan some land there that is still in the family i would love to talk to any one that would know any thing about the family historyin that area the familys last name is Erickson you could reach me at robert.breanna@gmail.com thank you so much

Sylvia		29-Oct-2009 22:38
I enjoyed very much the pictures of Kelstern.I was born in Kelstern in 1936,my maiden name was Harder. I was born in one of those little houses, My husband and I were back about eight years, it was very moving to see where I was born. My father's family were mennonites so Mom and Dad lived there until I was two then came to B.C.

Sylvia		29-Oct-2009 22:38
I enjoyed very much the pictures of Kelstern.I was born in Kelstern in 1936,my maiden name was Harder. I was born in one of those little houses, My husband and I were back about eight years, it was very moving to see where I was born. My father's family were mennonites so Mom and Dad lived there until I was two then came to B.C.

Jake & Agnes Schmidt		31-Jul-2008 23:42
We lived in Kelstern 1959 to 1963. I was the pastor of the Mennonite Brethren Church and we were back there 25 years later and there were still a number of buildings and people we had known in the early 60's. The elevators were gone by the mid eithys when we returned to the church when it celebrated its 75th anniversary. We haven't been back since but I'd like to go and see for myself. I can't imagine the church building and the parsonage all bein gone. Thanks for the memories this blog brought back. We now live in Winnipeg and we'd be happy to hear from any of the folks who may remember us. Jake & Agnes Schmidt, email address jakekca@shaw.ca

Guest		29-Apr-2008 14:49
I'm a cousin of Ron Zelt's (below). My mom, Pauline Folkers, who died four weeks ago, was one of Peter and Mary Schafer's many kids, and grew up in Kelstern. I think Mom taught at the school in Kelstern in the late 1940s. Thank you for this lovely "memorial" to the town. -Chuck Folkers, chuck@folkers.org

John Stevens, Burnaby BC		02-Mar-2008 02:40
My father Steve Zbadynski and my mother Ludwina (nee Dzingielowski) lived in Kelstern from around 1925 until 1943 when we moved to Moose Jaw! Our small abode was on the north side of the road from the Sask. Wheat Pool elevator. The town had 4 Grain elevators but I cannot recall the companies other than Sk. Wheat Pool. I have many, many fond memories of our dear birth place and I attended the Kelstern school finishing in Grade 2 before we left. Pardon me for wiping a tear but thanks for the memories. "Spud" (Zbadynski) Stevens, Burnaby BC. ps Because I was still only 7 I have always referred to Moose Jaw as my home town, but in my heart good old Kelstern will always be there. love you all.

eddy stoesz		22-Nov-2007 04:08
my mom susan peters(stoesz) was born there, her parents were julias and sarah peters from west prussia,they moved to shamrock,and finally to steinbach,manitoba,my mom marrieda wonderful man named edwin stoesz and moved to winnipeg.

Barbara Hall		08-Nov-2007 09:50
I live in England. My Gt Uncle Frederick Champniss built a homestead in !910 in Kelstern. I am trying to find leads to anyone knowing the family. His wife was Emily. They had 2 children Lillian and George Champniss. Lillian married Arthur Austin,

Terry Marchant (Dayne)		18-Jul-2007 01:11
My cousin Colleen and I used to walk from Grandma's farm (Joe and Sophia Dzingielowski) to the Post Office in Kelstern. It seemed like a booming town at the time. We also had a great family reunion in the hall there. While we hold on to great memories, it is difficult to see what little remains of the places which created them.

delog		25-May-2007 03:58
this is a brilliantly composed gallery color detail composition all great v

dave porter		02-Apr-2007 02:33
great pictures kept it coming!

Ron Zelt		13-Feb-2007 02:58
My mom grew up in Kelstern - Eileen Schafer (now Zelt). I'm sure my mom will check this out later but her parents Paul Schafer and her mom Ruth lived there from around 1913-15 through? 1950's. Mom was youngest of 10 children and was born 1934. I'll pass this URL onto her and only wish I could be with her when she checks out these photos - I'm sure it will bring back so many memories. Thanks for the post Mike and hi Mom and Dad

D. Deobald		07-Feb-2007 02:54
My grandparents lived on the Philip and Marie Deobald farm from the 30's to the 70's. John & Lydia Seifriedt lived on a farm near Kelstern too. He passed away about 8 years ago, her about 10. Sad how some of these little towns just faded away.

lori peters		13-Jan-2007 22:28
my dad was born here.

brent holtzman		15-Oct-2006 03:08
my dad Al Holtzman grew up in this town. I will have to show him these pictures. Thanks! Brent Holtzman

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