Date of Birth: June 14, 1931
Date of Death: January 20, 2016
BERNHARDT – Ferdinand Bernhardt of St. Paul Lutheran Home of Melville, Sask., and formerly of Killaly, Sask., beloved husband of Irene Bernhardt and son of Zack and Catherine (Chastkavich), was born on June 14, 1931 and entered his eternal rest on Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2016.
After completing his schooling at Gelowitz School, Ferdinand married Irene Kopetzki on Oct. 29, 1952 at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church in Grayson. They were blessed with three children, Brenda, David and Wade.
Ferdinand and Irene worked hard on their mixed grain farm. Ferdinand was a jack-of-all trades and innovator, always designing and manufacturing anything that was needed to make his and Irene’s farming life easier. He was always looking for ways and means to improve any piece of equipment or process. His favorite type of work was when he worked as a mechanic for the Killaly Co-op.
Ferdinand and Irene resided on the farm for 44 years. After Ferdinand had a severe heart attack, they moved to Sunset Lodge in Killaly, where they lived for 16 years. They moved into Heritage House in Melville in 2012 and due to ill health, Ferdinand became a resident at St. Paul Lutheran Home in 2014.
He was predeceased by his parents, Zack and Catherine; sister, Alvina and brother-in-law, Tony Ludwar; brother, John and sister-in-law, Minnie; sister-in-law, Alvina Bernhardt; father and mother-in-law, Peter and Theresa Kopetzki; sister and brother-in-law, Matilda and Adam Hanowski; brothers-in-law, Ewald and Ferdinand Kopetzki; and son-in-law, Wayne Speidelsbach.
Ferdinand leaves to cherish his memory: his beloved wife, Irene, of 64 years; and his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Brenda Speidelsbach – Devon (Lisa) Speidelsbach, Lainey and Danika, Marnie (Colin) Levesque, Daxen; David (Lyn) Bernhardt; Wade (Cindy) Bernhardt – Drew (Sharla), Blaire and Charlee, Kyle (Aranda); one sister, Donalda (Bill) Goertz; one brother, Zack; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Terry (Pat) Hahn, Peter (Marjorie) Kopetzki, Sieg Kopetzki and Wilfred Kopetzki; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
Arrangements were by Bailey’s Funeral and Cremation Care, Melville.
