It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Derek John Keast on December 12, 2017 in La Ronge, SK, at the age of 54 years. He was the son of the late Roy and Marjorie (nee Harris) Keast, and the loving and devoted father of his son Derian and daughter Taylor. Derek is survived by his sister, Carol Lynn (Ralph Beldeb); his brother, Brian (Andrea) and their daughter Bronwyn; his beloved sisters-in-law, Karyn Steinke and her daughter Monica, and Kathy (Gord Roy) and her son Alex; his brother-in-law, Kent Steinke and his children Samantha and Kalin. Derek also leaves behind his special friend, Nat Strom. He will always be remembered by his in-laws, George & Sylvia Stienke; his cousins, Janice & Harry McLean and their sons Jeff and Scott; and the mother of his children, Kris Kinequon; as well as numerous aunts and uncles and a very large extended family. Also mourning the loss are his numerous colleagues with the Ministry of Environment. Derek was born in Chatham, New Brunswick, and throughout his youth lived in various places in Canada and overseas while his dad was in the military. Derek began his career as a Conservation Officer in May of 1984. In 1987, he was the first Conservation Officer horseback mounted patrol to patrol the back country of Cypress Hills. Derek was co-recipient of the Saskatchewan Conservation Officers Association Award in 1994. He has been involved in the supervision and mentoring of new officers since 1989. In 1997, Derek joined the Officer Safety Program as a Defensive Tactics instructor, and in 1998 became one of the initial firearms instructors for the Ministry of Environment. In 2005, Derek was appointed as the Chief Defensive Tactics Instructor and also served as a boating instructor. He was currently a Sergeant in the La Ronge Field Office, but served in other posts including Cypress Hills Inter-Provincial Park / Maple Creek, Moose Jaw, Candle Lake and Pinehouse. Derek’s most recent accomplishment was being nominated for a Saskatchewan Protective Service medal. Derek became a proud father in 1998, with his second child in 2001. He was a loving and devoted father to Derian and Taylor, always involved in their activities. Derek never missed an opportunity to head to the rink or don a pair of skates to participate in his children’s love for hockey. He made sure his children grew up loving the outdoors as much as he did. Derek shared many an outdoor adventure with his children. They seized every opportunity to explore and share time together while fishing, hunting, hiking and camping, and of course including all the steps to building the perfect Keaster Fire. Derek taught his children with a kind and generous heart, and had a calm and easy-going personality to help them develop their sense of adventure. His smile, sense of humour and generous heart will live on in his children. Derek’s caring and compassion extended beyond his family and friends to include animals of all kinds; from an eagle, deer, bear, woodpecker, owl, squirrel to any animal needing rescue or a safe place to recuperate. Throughout his life Derek gained many long lasting friendships as a result of his amazing kindness and sincere compassion. His humour, generosity and strength will be remembered by all those he touched. A Celebration of Derek’s Life will take place at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, December 18, 2017 at St. John Vianney Roman Catholic Church in La Ronge, SK. Interment of cremated remains will take place at a later date. Online condolences may be made by visiting https://www.arbormemorial.ca/en/riverpark/obituaries. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the care of Lac La Ronge Funeral Home in La Ronge, SK, 306-425-3666, Debra Klassen, Funeral Director, and River Park Funeral Home in Prince Albert, SK, 306-764-2727, Don Moriarty, Funeral Director.

• Date : 2017-12-12
• Location : La Ronge, SK