Connie Thrasher worked as an licensed practical nurse and educational assistant for many years in La Ronge. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

farewell

‘Back to my roots’: Thrasher leaving tri-communities after 48 years

Aug 25, 2021 | 4:55 PM

Connie Thrasher moved to La Ronge with plans for a temporary stay, but 48 years later it’s bittersweet for her to say goodbye to a northern community she grew to love.

She moved to La Ronge in November 1973 after growing up on a farm in west central Saskatchewan near Wiseton. She graduated high school in Dinsmore and, after becoming a licensed practical nurse and working for a year in Saskatoon, she decided the city life wasn’t for her.

“So, I came to La Ronge for six months or one year if I liked it,” Thrasher said. “It was so different with what I grew up with. It was all brand new to me, but the older I get, I just need to go back to my roots, so that’s where I am going.”

During those early years, Thrasher was employed at the local hospital where she worked on and off until 1996. Back then, there were only three doctors and Thrasher explained the pediatrics and maternity wards were very busy. The hospital would average 250 deliveries per year and she said it would be common for three women to be in labour at a single time.

Thrasher mentioned the community was fundamentally different in the 1970s as the Department of Northern Saskatchewan was just coming into being and the paved highway only went as far as Waskesiu. Many of the communities north of La Ronge also lacked basic infrastructure such as water and sewer.

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“The bread truck would come in on Thursdays and they would usually have three loaves of brown bread and the rest was white,” she said. “So, I basically followed the bread truck to the Co-op store because I loved brown bread and, if you weren’t there right away, you missed out for another week.”

Thrasher also spend a couple years living in Calgary, where she earned a certificate in early childhood education. She began teaching at Pre-Cam Community School in 1996 until 2000, then worked at Churchill Community High School until her retirement in 2013. While at the schools, she was an educational assistant for special needs children.

During both of those career paths, Thrasher noted she made many lifelong friends who still live in La Ronge or who have moved away. Since retiring, she’s gone on several trips to places such as the Maritimes, Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba and throughout Saskatchewan visiting family and old friends.

She’s also spent time participating in public life in the tri-communities with the Morningstar Christmas Fair, volunteering at Ice Wolves games and fundraisers, as well as with the Alex Robertson Public Library board.

“I bought a little place in a retirement community just south of Saskatoon,” said Thrasher, who has already sold her home and is moving Thursday. “I totally loved my years in La Ronge. I made lifelong friends and had experiences a lot of people never would have. I’m going to miss it, but it’s time to move on.”

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @saskjourno