Melvin (Mel) Knelsen - It is with great love and sadness we announce the passing of Mel on Tuesday, September 23, 2014. Mel was born on December 1, 1942, in the Kelstern area and attended the Wiwa Hill and St Boswells Schools. Mel was raised on the farm where he learned to love the land. He farmed from 1960 until his retirement to Swift Current in 2006. He married Judy Haubrich on September 25, 1971, in Hodgeville. They had five children: Ryan born in 1972, Marty born and died in 1974, Nolan born 1976, Lee born 1977 and Megan born 1980. Mel had a wonderful busy life as he was an active member of the Hodgeville Elks Club, Knights of Columbus and Wildlife Federation. He was an avid curler in the earlier years and enjoyed all the sports his children were involved in. He had a sense of humor that all will remember and he loved his friends unconditionally. Mel was a loving son, husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend. Mel leaves behind his beautiful family to live his life within them, his loving wife, Judy; sons, Ryan (Karyn), Jaylen, Claire: Nolan (Lindsay), Evan, Landon: Lee (Sarah), Read, Rhett: and daughter, Megan (Chad) Olson, Shelby, Jade and Cody. He was predeceased by his parents, Henry & Clara Knelsen;sister, Mabel Stehr; nephew, Bradley Stehr; and by brother-in-law, Wayne Broad.
The Funeral Mass was held on Saturday, September 27, 2014, at 10:00 am from Christ the Redeemer Roman Catholic Parish with Father Richard Jasiak MSF officiating. The organist was Marlene Dolter with scripture readings by Larissa Fahlman and Matthew Fahlman and Heather Ruschkowski the Prayers of the Faithful. The eulogy was shared by Matthew Nelson. The ushers were Craig Wirsche and Kelly Watson. The Private Family Interment Service will take place at a later date at the St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Cemetery in Hodgeville with the following serving as pallbearers, Jason Silzer, Chad Herman, Jodey Allen, Avery Allen, Mike Deobald, Corey Haubrich and Brent Haubrich. In memory of Mel Knelsen, donations made to The Dr. Noble Irwin Health Care Foundation would be appreciated by the family. Funeral arrangements were in care of Swift Current Funeral Home, Swift Current, SK. For further information or to leave a personal message of condolence on the family‘s obituary page, please go to swiftcurrentfuneralhome.com