Kenneth George Rivett and Mary Permelia Metzger Family

Kenneth George Rivett (b. Feb 3, 1902 d. Dec 3, 1991) was the son of Lemuel Henry Shaler Rivett and Martha Ward. He was born in Almonte ON. In April 1906 , the family headed west to homestead east of Sonningdale SK. In the spring of 1914 the family moved to their second homestead north of Radisson SK.Ken was adept a veterinarian work and had a keen interest in horses. He married Mary Permelia Metzger (b. Oct 26, 1904 d. Nov 6, 1993) daughter of Francis Harlow "Frank" Metzger and Vinnie Elvira Lovell on Dec 9, 1926 in Hafford SK. They have 3 daughters and 1 son.They continued to farm on the Rivett homestead until 1939. From 1939 until 1987 they farmed in the Keatley District. In 1987, Ken and Mary retired from farming and moved to the town of Hafford. Ken was a member of many community groups,including School Board trustee, life member of the Masonic Lodge #97 and an original member of the Saskatchewan Wheat Pool. Ken loved telling stories about the things that he had done and seen during the course of his life almost as much as family and friends enjoyed listening to him.Both Ken and Mary are buried in the Radisson Memorial Cemetery.Rivett’s on the move to the fertile North Country in 1939

memories by eldest daughter, Ethel

It was not unlike a wagon train as we trekked the 25 miles from the old homestead to the what was to be the family home for the next five decades. In what was the true spirit of the pioneer settlers of the west, relatives, friends and neighbors were on hand to help with the move.

The 3-room log house with its sod roof scattered with tufts of grass was a far cry from the two storey wood frame home we left behind. In the end the great difference was the two story house stood on 160 acres of sand and twisted scrubby brush while the log house stood on a rise overlooking a grassy meadow, a large pond of water and dark rich loamy soil.

We had animals of every description, prancing saddle horses, plodding work horses, small ponies, milk cows, range cattle and squealing pigs of every age and description. As they contributed so much to our livelihood they were the first to be settled in the grassy pasture, the sprawling log barn and the wire fenced pens.

Mom sat the baby in a wooden apple box while we arranged the furniture in the house. The old McClary range had to be connected to the existing stove pipe as did the airtight heater in the living room. Mom's antique organ had to be squeezed at the end of the dinning room table. Although she had played at church she rarely touched it now. The kids loved to twirl on the stool until they were dizzy.

Keatley (formerly Peacedale) was now our town. The original name really suited this small village sitting on a knoll overlooking a creek and the surrounding peaceful farmland. Mr. Keatley was one of the local more affluent and influential farmers, need we say more!

Town consisted of Archibald’s General Store and Prefontiane"s less general store. Three grain elevators, Wheat Pool, Searle, and Graingrowers sat like pillars along the railway track and were always a buzz of activity. The rumour was that after the grain sale was completed the rye whiskey bottle appeared and the poker game began.