Bernice Sophie Melz (née Krakowka)
January 6, 1932 – October 26, 2023
Bernice was born to Henry and Annie (née Horke) Krakowka, on January 6, 1932. She was raised on the family farm in the Lake Ignace District, northeast of Middle Lake, Saskatchewan. She attended Lake Ignace School. Bernice married Harry Melz in 1952 at Canadian Martyrs Roman Catholic Church in Middle Lake. The couple first lived on a yard near Harry’s childhood farm, and then moved to an acreage just north of Middle Lake, where they welcomed a son and two daughters. Bernice was a strong, independent woman who could do almost anything she put her mind to. She started her working career as a painter, and when she and Harry opened their business, Harry’s Service Centre, she took care of the bookkeeping. Years later she found her passion in caring for others and became employed as a care giver at Bethany Pioneer Village. Bernice was influential in her community and could be found volunteering for the church, Women’s Auxiliary, and the Slough Grass Singers group to name a few. Bernice loved to have her family together and spent many hours with her grandchildren. She was known for her ‘feasts fit for kings’; no one ever left the table hungry. Fishing, countryside drives with picnics, berry-picking, card playing and shopping trips to Prince Albert were some of the activities she and Harry enjoyed together in their retirement years. Bernice will be lovingly remembered and dearly missed by her 2 daughters, 6 grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren: Kathy Heidecker of Saskatoon and family, Ryan (Rachel) Heidecker of Martensville, and their child Taylor, and Kirk (Christine) Heidecker of Martensville, and their children Kaden and Rylan; Colleen (Glenn) McMillan of Pilger and family, Clinton (Crystal) McMillan, and his children Hannah and Isabelle, Evan (Meghan) McMillan of Warman, and their children, James, Faith and Nikki, and Stephanie (Jonathan) Charlton of Pilger, and their child Malcolm; grandson Cody Melz, and his children, Kadence, Gage and Rowyn; her brother, Larry (Sharon) Krakowka of Portage la Prairie, MB, and their child Ashley (Jason) Barrett. She was predeceased by her husband, Harry Melz; son, Barry Melz; parents, Henry and Annie (née Horke) Krakowka; and siblings: Helen Nagy, Harold Krakowka, and Phyllis Hopfner. The Funeral Mass was offered on Friday, November 3, 2023, at 2:00 p.m., at Canadian Martyrs Roman Catholic Church, Middle Lake, concelebrated by Fr. Benjamin Ezekwudo and Fr. Colin Roy. Others taking part were: Kaden Heidecker, crossbearer; Clinton McMillan and Jonathan Charlton, scripture readers; Cody Melz, intentions; Bernice’s great-grandchildren, giftbearers; Taylor Heidecker and Hannah McMillan, memorial table attendants; and Evan McMillan, urnbearer. Rhonda Baker with the Canadian Martyrs Choir provided music ministry. A memorial luncheon was held at Middle Lake Multi-Plex. Interment will take place at a later date. Memorial donations may be forwarded to either Bethany Pioneer Village (P.O. Box 9, Middle Lake, SK, S0K 2X0) or Canadian Martyrs Roman Catholic Cemetery (P.O. Box 271, Middle Lake SK, S0K 2X0).
This Notice Is Courtesy Of
Schuler-Lefebvre Funeral & Cremation Services - Humboldt, Saskatchewan
(306-682-4114)