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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Gary Smith		15-Nov-2025 17:52
I grew up on a farm just south of Hodgeville but did spend some time in Kelstern, dances, social stuff and sad to see these small rural towns disappearing. Although I will not mention any names due to privacy, my school friend and I dated a couple of girls from Kelstern early 60's.

Gary Smith		15-Nov-2025 17:49
I grew up a farm just south of Hodgeville but spent lots of time in Kelstern socializing, dances etc. Like Hodgeville, these little towns just seem to be disappearing. My friend and I dated some girls from Kelstern in the earlier 60's, but for the sake of privacy, I will not include their names.

Ron Siever		05-Aug-2025 23:29
Just realized that I have a new e-mail address (an update)…Hope someone of that era could reply to me and share a couple of stories The town does not exist anymore but the pictures are a reminder of the past We lived 3 miles north of town with Deobalds and Boehm’s and Chamberlain’s as neighbors,,,,,,,Went to school in Goslin,,Kelstern and then Hodgeville(1961) graduate

Trish Bateman		22-May-2025 22:48
I lived in Kelstern in the mid '70's then again from 1983-1987ish. My dad, Bernie Wiebe, ran the Pioneer Grain Elevator. There were 13 people living there at that time. Our family of 5, the pastor's family of 5, Grandpa Ab and Grandma Isabelle Redekopp (no relation), yes, the school teacher and an elderly lady that had no family to speak of. Apart from that, there were 3 dogs, 2 cows and lots of chickens.

EdwardKastrau		05-Apr-2022 21:37
My father's family (Kastrau) moved from Prussia to Kelstern in 1928 to start a farm. My father, Manfred Kastrau, was born in Kelstern in 1930. The family lived there until about 1933 when they went back to Prussia because of the depression and draught. My father later moved back to Canada and lived in Hamilton Ontario.

Mr Don Peters		28-Apr-2020 03:54
I lived in Kelstern In 1974/75.My father was the grain buyer at the Pioneer elevator. Drove past kelstern in the summer of 2018. The house we lived in is no longer there, but I managed to find the drive way. Alot of good memories.

Sharon		19-Jul-2018 17:04
Loved the photos. Thank you! My Grandpa & Grandma Isaac and Mary Klassen lived there after they sold the farm. Somewhere between 1955 & 1960 I still remember walking to the store for a grape pop. And the railroad elevator.

Barb Janman (Stickel)		10-Feb-2018 17:47
My Grandparents, Godfried and Louise Stickel had their 6 children and homestead 3.5 miles southeast of Kelstern beginning around 1910. We still have some extended family living in the Shamrock district. We have lived in and around Calgary, Ab since 1963. I've been back to Kelstern and the homestead many times over the years and it's very sad to see the small communities disappear into dust. I would love to hear from Elaine Deobald who was a good friend when we attended the Kelstern school.

Shawn Collins		02-Nov-2017 19:36
Mike, Thank you for posting your Kelstern photos, I have enjoyed them very much. My Mother (Margery Hewitt) lived in Kelstern for a time. Not sure for how long, but I do know that the family was there in 1926 the year my Mother turned 10. My Grandfather (Austin Hewitt) was Station Master for CPR in Kelstern at the time, and I still have a couple of photos taken then including one of the Train Station.

Jim Russell		07-Jan-2017 02:08
My parents and grandparents fared at Kelstern for years Jack was my dads name agnes ewert my mothers name I went to school in Kelstern till 1955 then moved to moose jaw Sad to see it was getting smaller and smaller and then nothing Iremember the school taves store elevators and railway station Hope to hear from few of you

Larry A. Haesch		22-Sep-2016 21:27
My Dad ran the Sask wheat pool elevator in Kelstern in the late forties. I remember the Taves stare and the windmill which we used to climb. Lloyd and Margaret Haesch have both passed as well as my brother Ron. We moved to Allen Sask in the early 50s. I remember Darcey Taves and I would take bottles from the back of her Dad's store and take them in the front and sell them. Hi to Darcey if she sees this. Larry Haesch.

Robyn Pardy		14-Jul-2016 18:55
Hello Mike! This is my Mother's family home as a child. Last name Radiuk. This is their tricycle. She used to turn the tricycle upside down and pretend she was making donuts. I have tears in my eyes looking at these. This house has since been demolished. Is there any way I could buy copies of these to make an album for her?

cliff		03-Jun-2016 03:56
cliff turner;i was born in area on a watson farm 7mi from kelstern & hodgville in 1934. looking for lawtonia history book being worked on about 15 years ago a mr. watson was in group

Trousse de toilette		06-Aug-2015 07:12
I appreciate your work

Jacquie Walter		21-Jun-2015 06:05
My mother and stepfather Beryl and Allan Stewart lived on a farm near Kelstern that was pioneered and built by his Father Norton Stewart and his brothers and Uncle who originally came to Canada from Ireland and lived in Ontario moving cross country in the 1880s. His mother Mary Stewart taught at the Goslin school, Allan and his brother Bob also attended Goslin school. A cousin Noble Stewart had compiled a history of 2 volumes plus individual family books of residents and backgrounds of Hodgeville and Kelstern area. I have the larger volumes but unfortunately lost the small red soft back Stewart family one in the Regina flood of 2010. If someone had a copy I would be grateful for a copy as I have Gilt framed portraits of Dads grandparents or great grandparents, I also would like to know where the original Stewart farm was taken to. My dad sold it for $1 to some people who moved it somewhere to make a tea room out of it as it had historical value being as it was a T.E. Eaton package Home. Very lovely with a huge wooden staircase. My children and I spent many special moments there from 1965 to 1972 till Mom and Dad moved to Regina. Allan passed away in 2010 his brother Bob in 2013. Please contact me if you can give me info. re. this correspondence.

Jacquie Walter		21-Jun-2015 05:44
My mother and stepfather Beryl and Allan Stewart lived on a farm built by Norton Stewart and his uncles and brothers in the late 1800s. It was an original TE Eaton package home, very beautiful. The Stewart men initially immigrated from Ireland to Ontario then to Kelstern where Mary Stewart taught school Goslin I believe, my dad attended it also in the late 1920s his cousin Noble Stewart compiled a two volume book going back to the pioneers of the area family by family, also small soft cover individual family books were also published. The Stewart one I had went missing in the Regina flood of 2010 I would love to find another copy. Also my dad sold the home place house for $1 to someone who moved it somewhere to open it as a tea house. Also if anyone knows where it may be, please contact me. Both my dad Allan Stewart and his brother Bob Stewart passed away in 2010 and 2013.

Ron Siever		25-May-2015 18:01
loved the pictures and the comments..It is sad that after all these years even the town sign is buried in a forgotten ditch. We lived 3 miles north of Kelstern and l went to the Goslin and Kelstern schools(1950-1957) ...Would love to hear from someone of that time and maybe reconnect A great site and sad pictures My email rj_siever@shaw.ca Ron

Sharon		22-Oct-2014 05:00
My mom was born there in 1924. Her parents names were Philip and Edith Nash. My great grandmother was Kate Leticia Hobbs. Her maiden name was Dale. If anyone would like to email me...I would be more than happy to pass my computer over to my Mom. Her name is Loretta Grace (Nash) Jackson My email shupper65@gmail.com

Mel Siever		05-Feb-2014 15:58
I went to Kelstern school, for grades 1 to 8 (1957 to 1965). My teachers were Mrs. Redekopp and the Mrs. Porter. I believe that there is a lot of information in the Shamrock & Hodgeville history books.

Don		15-Nov-2013 23:58
Oops, I was through Kelstern in June 2013, and it is a beautiful community church. the only thing I saw standing from the original buildings was the old storefront. The Goslin school reunion book (compiled by W. A Dale) is at the Saskatchewan Genealogy society office in Saskatoon ( I think - it might have been Regina). It has a lot of historical narratives of that area from a school reunion held in 1985. They will let you photocopy it for a fee.

Don		15-Nov-2013 23:53
I have a photo (copy now) of "the Flats" school house in 1910 with about 10 students - including the following surnames: Dale, Hobbs, Kober, McEwen, Gill. If anyone would like a copy emailed - then email me.

Therese		15-May-2013 02:38
My great grandparents, John Klingenberg & Elizabeth (Techner)Klingenberg took their family from Canton ,Ohio and settle in this area. I have letters from them. The return address is from Queen Centre and Moose Jaw. Each of the four sons homesteaded 800 acres each. John and Eliz. are buried in the Elim MB Church Cemetery, although I believe they were German Baptist. If anyone knows anything about this family would appreciate informtion. Thanks

Joyce		03-Mar-2013 19:05
Too bad the picture of the "one" beautiful church (built about 20 years ago) was not also put on the website. It is an active, well-attended church with a fulltime pastor.

Marie Korbett		24-Jul-2012 22:57
My mother was born in 1925 and attended school in Kelstern. I am very interested in a digital copy of the school sign DSC 7994 and the swing set DSC 7989. Could you please advise if you can do this for me? I am tracing her history and she also mentions Flowing Wells, Morse, and Boswell. Would you happen to have old pictures of these areas? Thank you. Marie

Wanda Knelsen		24-Jul-2012 17:38
My Grandparents, Henry & Mary Knelsen(D- 1998) lived in Kelstern. Originally lived in Shamrock, Kelstern and Hodgeville until they were moved to the Herbert/Moose Jaw care homes. The Church in Kelstern was built on my grandparents property, and were both laid to rest in the local Cemetery. My father is Harvey Knelsen(son of Henry & Mary) who now lives in Weyburn. Planning a trip to the area the middle of August/2012. Believe my sister has a copy of the book you are searching for! Wanda Knelsen w.mccallum@yahoo.com

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.

blizzard		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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