Percy Schmeiser
January 5, 1931 - October 13, 2020

It is with sadness that the family of Percy Schmeiser announce his quiet and peaceful passing on October 13, 2020. Percy was born January 5, 1931 in Bruno, Saskatchewan, to Charles and Elsie (née Haselwanter) Schmeiser. Starting as a young child, Percy helped with the gas station and farm implement business, that his father started, and helped to grow the grain and mink farm. While there was always lots of work to do, he found time to play baseball, curl, and fish. Percy also had a lifetime love of animals, especially cats, dogs, and skunks. Following his schooling in Bruno, Percy attended Radio College in Toronto where he obtained his Diploma in Radio and TV Technology. Percy rounded out his education by taking accounting courses and the Dale Carnegie course, which all served him well in business and in politics. After turning down an offer to join the Department of Defense as a Radio Operator, Percy returned to the family business in 1954. Over time, he grew the size of the family farm and the farm equipment dealership into two locations. He was also on call as a Technician at the nearby Sagehill Radar Base. At age 20, Percy developed an appreciation for travel that became a lifelong passion. This started with a 3-month bus tour of Canada and the U.S. Percy continued his love of travel after he met Louise. Together, they have traveled to all 7 continents and to over 150 countries. They were among the 1st westerners to China when it opened to tourism; they have been to Timbuktu in the Sahara Desert; and have toured extensively through Asia, Europe, South America, and the Middle East. Percy has been to the Mount Everest base camp and has climbed Mount Kilimanjaro. Percy met Louise at a dance in Bruno and they were married on October 2, 1952, at Holy Family Church, north of Bruno. They celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary in October of this year. Community and civic involvement were always one of Percy’s priorities. A champion of his community and province, he was elected as a town councillor for Bruno in 1962 and as mayor in 1967, serving the town for over 25 years. While Mayor, he was also elected Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for the Watrous Constituency from 1967 to 1971. One of his proudest moments was serving on the committee that choose Saskatchewan’s provincial flag in 1969. Other community involvement included being involved in the local Lion’s Club, the Knights of Columbus (K of C) as a 4th Degree Knight, the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation, a member of the St. Bruno Parish Church Choir, the Bruno Savings & Credit Union Board, and as a 25 year board member for St. Mary’s Villa. He served the farm equipment industry as the President of the White Farm Equipment Dealer Council and as a Director of the Saskatchewan Manitoba Implement Dealers Association (SMIDA). In 1984, he received SMIDA’s highest award - the Merit Award for Dealer of the Year, for his advocacy work on behalf of his fellow dealers. He also served two terms as a Director on Saskatchewan’s Real Estate Commission (SREC). The SREC oversees the regulation of the real estate industry in the province. In the late 1990’s with Louise’s support, Percy became an advocate for farmer’s rights. In recognition of these efforts, Percy and Louise received many awards. These include the Mahatma Gandhi Award in 2000 for the “Betterment of Mankind in a Non-Violent Way” and The Right Livelihood Award in 2007 for "Honour and support to those offering practical and exemplary answers to the most urgent challenges facing society.” A true people person, Percy enjoyed the company of family and friends. People gravitated to him and found him easy to talk to. He was very engaging with anyone who wished to visit. Percy was willing to help others in need, no matter how big or small the issue. When in business, whenever a farm customer needed help, Percy would go the extra mile to ensure that the customer was taken care of. If this meant providing a part at all hours of the night or a replacement combine so a farmer could get his crop off, it would be done. Left to cherish his memory is his loving wife Louise, five children, 15 grandchildren, and 15 great grandchildren: daughter Mary Lou Schechtel and family, Erin-Lou (Aaron Bradley) and sons Kent, Ewan, and Alden, Mara Lee (Tyson Duff) and sons Barrett and Brock, Jonathan Schechtel (Kara McArthur), Jordan (Karen) Schechtel and sons Eli and Jude; son Daniel (Maryanne) Schmeiser and family, Maximilian (Maria) Schmeiser and children Isabella and Nicholas, Heidi (David Spriggs) and daughter Hannah, Jerome (Alana) Schmeiser and son James; daughter Mary Jane (Paul Revering) and family, Eric (Gina) Revering and children Zachary, Jeremy, Lauryn, and Evelyn, Jennifer (Brian Toner), James Revering (Sherilyn Fick), and Stephen Revering; son John (Leandra) Schmeiser and family Rachel Schmeiser; daughter Anna Marie (David Ference) and family Austin, Ashley-Marie and Ian Ference; his brother James (Teresa); sisters-in-law Irene Ositis-Schmeiser and Loreen Weyland; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by: his parents Charles and Elsie Schmeiser; parents-in-law John and Annie Weyland; brothers Kenneth Schmeiser and Douglas Schmeiser; sister Doreen Wiggins; brothers-in-law Keith Wiggins and Theodore Weyland; sister-in-law Joanne Schmeiser; and son-in-law Eric Schechtel. A Funeral Mass was offered for Percy on Saturday, October 17, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. at St. Bruno Roman Catholic Church, in Bruno, Saskatchewan, celebrated by Fr. Pius Schroh. Those taking part were: Denise Krentz, organist; Ian Ference, crossbearer; Mara Lee Duff, Erin-Lou Bradley and Ashley-Marie Ference, scripture readers; Ian Ference, intentions; Daniel and John Schmeiser, eulogists; and Victor Granger, server. Active pallbearers were: Eric Revering, Jonathan Schechtel, Jordan Schechtel, Jerome Schmeiser, James Revering, and Austin Ference. Honorary pallbearers were: “All those who shared in Percy’s life”. Interment followed at St. Bruno Roman Catholic Cemetery in Bruno, Saskatchewan. Memorial donations can be directed to Memorial Masses; Humboldt and District Hospital Foundation-Palliative Care, (P.O. Box 1740 Humboldt, SK. S0K 2A0 Phone: 306-682-4450), or to the Bruno Senior Citizen’s Friendship Centre (P.O. Box 485, Bruno, SK. S0K 0S0). Livestreaming was available at the time of the Funeral Mass and a recorded service is available at the Schuler-Lefebvre Funeral Chapel website. 


This Notice Is Courtesy Of Schuler-Lefebvre Funeral Chapel
Humboldt, Saskatchewan
(306-682-4114)