Date of Birth: October 3, 1945
Date of Death: July 26, 2026
Judy Schofer of Melville, passed away Sunday, July 26, 2026, at the age of 80 years.
Judith Sharon was born on Oct. 3, 1945, in Melville, SK, to John and Evelyn (nee Flesjer) Hahn. She grew up on the family farm northwest of Melville with three siblings, Linda, Grant and Bonnie.
Judy grew up in a hard-working family and attended North Melville School, later attending high school in Melville. When attending North Melville School, she was the area “school bus” driver at the time. She was utilizing her horse Pat and a cart to transport all of the kids to school. Often times they would be racing home during blizzards before dark.
After Judy finished high school, she entered the workforce, with her first job at St. Paul Lutheran Home as a care aid. She left St. Paul Lutheran Home when she married her husband, Ed, on April 24, 1965. At that point, she stayed home as a dedicated farm wife, homemaker and mother to their three children (Crystal, Shannon and Doug) while Ed farmed and continued a full-time career with CN Rail. Judy kept herself busy and full of responsibilities, including keeping the family well fed, baking, sewing, crafting and entertaining family and extended friends throughout the area. When Judy lost her father in 1969, she stepped up to help her mother and siblings during uncertain times.
Judy was also the chief grain hauler, often using the open cab John Deere that was originally owned by Judy’s father, which was passed down to her brother. Doug proudly owns that John Deere tractor today. She got promoted to a GMC 3-tonne and eventually Doug’s tandem-axel grain truck, with a cooler in tow of food and snacks not only for Doug but for the grandkids who came for rides every day after school and on weekends. However, it took until 1996 for Judy to learn how to back up the GMC by herself, thanks to her daughter-in-law.
Once all her children were on their own, Judy took on a new title “the crazy plant lady”. This title was bestowed upon her by the staff at Prairie Co-op Home Centre at the 1st Avenue location in Melville. They even used her name and title in their marketing and advertising. The whole town knew that Judy was the plant lady. Even after she retired from the Co-op, everyone still knew she was the plant lady based on her immaculate back yard on the corner of 9th Ave. W. and Columbia Street.
Judy was extremely dedicated to her Lutheran faith. She volunteered regularly for various roles, including church council, Sunday school teacher, worked the donation table for various funeral services and the altar guild. Her proudest accomplishment was the completion of a two-year bible study with her closest friends and fellow congregation members. Not only the church, but her volunteerism also reached beyond measure. Her involvement touched organizations including the Melville Communities in Bloom, St. Paul Lutheran Home Foundation, Melville Donor’s Choice and the Melville Community Thrift Shop, which also donates funds back into the community. All her volunteerism created a tremendous circle of friends and colleagues. When she moved to Cumberland Villas, she immediately volunteered to do the stamps for the Canadian Bible Society and continued to grow her circle of friends.
Judy was predeceased by her husband, Edward; her parents, John and Evelyn; her in-laws, William and Hilda Schofer; and numerous brothers- and sisters-in-law. Judy’s love will continue on through her children and grandchildren: Crystal Schofer; Shannon Schofer (Jay Donahue) with children Silkyn Mack and Shakira Mack; Doug (Heidi) Schofer with children Julia Schofer and Graeme Schofer. She also leaves behind her siblings, Linda Swejda, Grant Hahn (Sandy) and Bonnie Cenaiko, as well as numerous in-laws, nieces and nephews.
Judy’s life was celebrated on Saturday, Aug. 1, 2026, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Melville, with Deacon Kevin Prouten officiating. Interment took place in the Melville City Cemetery.
Arrangements were entrusted to Matthews Funeral Home, Melville.
