Henderson, Warren “Tip”

Warren ‘Tip’ Henderson was born June 21, 1938 and passed away Nov. 25, 2016 at Galahad Care Centre.
He lived on the farm with his parents Walter and Sally (Rammel) Henderson, sister Anne and brother Donald.
He was so proud to be a Rammel and loved spending time with his favourite aunt, Mary Johnson.
He attended school at Hastings Coulee and later Forestburg.
The thing he enjoyed most about school was the sports, curling, baseball, football and most of all, basketball.
The basketball team won Highway 13 championship having competed with much larger schools including Camrose and Wetaskiwin.
Tip was president of the United Church Young People’s group and organized lots of fun activities with our school friends.
He became a 4-H member with beef and grain projects.  The highlight of 4-H was winning an award trip to National Club Week in November 1959 held in Toronto in conjunction with the Royal Winter Fair. They went by train and stayed at the Royal York Hotel.
In Ottawa they met Prime Minister John Diefenbaker.
In July of 1959 he was chosen to attend a luncheon at the Legislative grounds in Edmonton when Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip toured Alberta.
In December 1959 he went to Mason City, Iowa to attend an auctioneering school.  During the fall runs he sold at Provost, Wainwright, Hardisty and Coronation.
He did many charity sales over the years for many different clubs and groups.  He gave generously of his time and money.
Tip was active in Junior UFA when they were raising funds to build Goldeye Lake Centre.
Air Cadets allowed him to travel by train a number of summers to Abbotsford, B.C.  He rose to the rank of flying officer in the Primary Reserves.  He and Keith Fossen joined the squadron in 1951 and remained until the squadron was disbanded in 1963.
Tip and Betty were married Nov. 26, 1960.  One of the proudest moments was when their daughter, Debbie was born in August 1964.
Over the years he served on the advisory committee of Alberta Wheat Pool and was elected as Zone 4 delegate of the Alberta Cattle Commission for six years. Tip served on the Beef Promotion Committee and attended the barbeque held for the press during the 1988 Calgary Olympics.
He helped the committees of Heisler, Forestburg and Halkirk with the sales of their history books and did his part in promoting Hastings Coulee Trail Rides for Cancer.
He was director and president of Hastings Coulee Hall Board, vice president of the Forestburg Museum, member of Paintearth Protective Society, Forestburg REA, UGG, director of Stettler P.C. with Premier Don Getty, and director of Battle River Feeders.
In 1970 he again became involved in 4-H as leader for Heisler South 4-H Dairy Club and became involved at district and regional 4-H levels, the Sid Walker Committee and Battle Lake 4-H Centre. He received a 15 year Leadership Award.
Tip also assisted with Heisler Hemmers where he learned to thread a needle, the Heisler Stampeders 4-H Horse Club and Forestburg Multi Club.
More recently he has interviewed and recorded local people on rodeo, ranching, 4-H reunion, etc.  for the Forestburg Museum.
Tip’s life has been a very full and busy one.  He has seen many changes during his life time.  He said ‘how lucky I am to have been able to appreciate nature and the changing seasons while enjoying farming and ranching.  I love my job and have never regretted my decision to ranch.’
Tip was patient, caring and generous.  He was dedicated, worked hard and managed to increase and expand the Little Valley View Ranch land base and cattle operation.
He would say it’s a long time till midnight, we will get the work done.
Tip has donated his body to Anatomical Gifts Program at the University of Alberta. He could not have lived without the University Hospital.  Tip and Betty have supported the Hospital Foundation and were honoured to have been invited to the President’s Brunches.
He did not want a funeral but we will celebrate his life at Hastings Coulee Hall, Dec. 10 at 2 p.m.  If friends so desire our charities are Galahad Care Centre and Mazankowski Heart Institute.
Tip is survived by his loving wife, Betty of 56 years, daughter Debbie Henderson (Duane Albers), nieces, nephews, cousins and friends, and lifelong friend, Wayne Horricks.
He was predeceased by parents Walt and Sally; infant son, Wayne, sister Anne and brother Donald.