Date of Birth: April 13, 1945
Date of Death: November 23, 2025
Roy Dennis Selland of Melville, SK, beloved husband of Janice (Beres) Selland, was born on April 13, 1945, to Eddy and Margaret (Ness) Selland and entered eternal rest with his family by his side on Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025, at St. Peter’s Hospital, Melville, at the age of 80 years.
Roy attended the one-room country school Success for Grades 1 to 8 and Grade 9 by correspondence. Attending Melville High School for Grades 10 to 12 required unique transportation before Bunny Halyk had his first bus route for Roy’s Grade 12. For Grade 10, a taxi took the five local high school students to town, and Grade 11, a neighbourhood car pool with Roy driving the five locals the last part of the trip. Roy graduated high school in 1963.
Roy enrolled in the University of Saskatchewan College of Agriculture in 1963, but health issues caused him to discontinue. In 1965 he resumed his first year of College of Agriculture.
Roy worked for Doug Wotherspoon during the summer of 1963. He also worked for Don Ruff in 1966. In 1967 he attended the School of Agriculture before hiring on with the PFRA from 1968 to 1973. He drove a road grader for the RM of Cana from 1974 to 1985.
Throughout the years, Roy had many interests. He was involved with the 4H beef club, was treasurer for the Success Recreational Co-operative and served on the Plain View Zion Lutheran Cemetery Board. Roy was an elected delegate for Sask. Wheat Pool and APAS representative for the RM of Cana. In addition to grain farming, he also did custom baling. Roy preferred raising cattle, and he could walk among them and pet almost any one. His favourite one was named Ruby Red. In 2004, Roy received the Family Farm Award, being the third generation on the original farm.
Roy met his wife, Janice, in 1970, and they were married on Oct. 7, 1972. They were blessed with two sons, Kevin and Keith.
Due to his declining health, Roy and Janice moved into Melville in August 2018. In June 2021, Roy became a resident at the Pioneer Lodge Care Home in Ituna.
Roy leaves to cherish his memory his beloved wife of 53 years, Janice; his sons, Kevin (Brandi) and Keith; three grandchildren, Vienna, Erik and Leo; his sister, Betty Parr; his mother-in-law, Frances Beres; five brothers-in-law; four sisters-in-law; many nieces and nephews; and a very special cousin, Richard Berg (Maureen). He was predeceased by his parents, Eddy and Margaret Selland; his grandparents, Ivor and Birgit Selland and John and Olga Ness; his brother-in-law, Calvin Parr; his father-in-law, Albert Beres; aunts, uncles and cousins.
A celebration of Roy’s life was held Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Melville, with the Rev. Ron Shumba officiating. Roy’s sister, Betty Parr, gave the eulogy. Readers were Leo Selland and Ken Beres, and music was supplied by Marilyn Senyk, Brandi Ottenbreit and Erik Selland. Fellowship followed with the Good Shepherd ladies preparing lunch.
Interment took place in St. Henry’s R.C. Parish Cemetery, Melville. The pallbearers were Andrew Artymowicz, Harry Artymowicz, Larry Moen, Kevin Selland, Keith Selland, Erik Selland and Leo Selland.
Arrangements were entrusted to Matthews Funeral Home, Melville.
