Obituary of Rudy Benedik

The family of Rudolf Benedik of Melville, husband of the late Irene Benedik sadly announce his passing on Tuesday, April 8, 2025. Rudy was 97 years of age.

The Funeral Service will be held on Monday, April 14 at 2:00p.m. from the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, Melville.

Those wishing to join virtually, may do so using Zoom clicking here: Zoom Link 

Meeting ID: 867 1720 6199

Passcode: 123456

The interment will follow in the Melville Municipal Cemetery.

Rudy Benedik was born in Cana, SK on December 1, 1927, to Andrew and Helen Benedik.

He passed away on April 8, 2025 at St. Peter’s Hospital in Melville,SK at the age of 97.

Rudy was raised on a farm near Cana, where he attended school. He met and later married, the love of his life, Irene Hershmiller, on October 26, 1953. They enjoyed a remarkable 70 year marriage.

Rudy and Irene were blessed with three children. Their daughter Pamela, granddaughter; Tara (Jonathan), great-granddaughters; Senna and Willow. Their daughter Nancy (Morris), grandchildren; Riannon (Jared), Devin (Lila), Hailey (Josh). Their son Blair (Deena), grandchildren; Branden (Chelsea), great-grandsons; Carter and Owen, grandson Jonas (Hailey), and granddaughter Mackenzie.

He is predeceased by his wife Irene, parents, siblings and grandsons Caleb and Cole and his grandson-in-law Kevin.

During the early days of their marriage they moved to BC, where Rudy worked at the Kitamat Mine. Within a few short years they returned to Saskatchewan and they began farming together near Cana until 2006, when they moved off the farm and into Melville.

Rudy highly valued his relationship with his God Jehovah, his wife Irene and their children. He played an active role in overseeing, spiritual care and shepherding of the Melville congregation.

Rudy had a wide range of interests throughout his life. In his early years he worked as a farmer, managing a mixed operation of grain and cattle. He took great satisfaction in working with his hands, repairing equipment, building structures, caring for various livestock including; chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, rabbits, hogs, horses, sheep and the odd garter snake that had to be protected from Irene.

In his later years, Rudy found joy in gardening alongside his wife. He cultivated a variety of vegetables and experimented with many different fruit trees such as: goose berries, red and white currents, pears, apples and many others, but not to leave out his remarkable grape vines. He especially enjoyed turning the harvest of those grapes into his own wine (sometimes fondly known as sweet vinegar to the family) juice, jam or whatever creative concoction he could come up with, which he enjoyed sharing with others.

Rudy had many endearing qualities, at times he could be seen as stoic and serious but beneath that demeanor was a steady presence. His calm thoughtful wisdom made him a trusted mentor for many, especially in times of difficulty. He was a self-sacrificing person who cared deeply for the wellbeing of others. This was especially evident in the last four years of his life that he devoted to attending to his wife in the nursing home, both in person and by writing thoughtful, loving cards to her.

Rudy will be remembered with love and affection by his family and friends.

“For I am convinced, that neither death nor life…. Will be able to separate us from God’s love” Romans 8:38, 39