Obituary of Bernard (Ben) Rolheiser

Bernard John Rolheiser was born February 1, 1942 to John and Emma Rolheiser in his grandparent’s home, north of Goodsoil, Saskatchewan. He spent his early years growing up on the family farm, northeast of Goodsoil. In 1949, the Rolheisers decided that they were not farmers, and opened the Goodsoil Cafe and Meat Market where Ben could be found often, when not in school. At the end of Grade 10, Ben decided he had learned all he could from school, and started working at home in the cafe and meat market, and helped out for the church and in the community with the skating and curling rinks. He spent one winter in Kananaskis building a ski lodge, where he said he was the coldest he had ever been, as the building they were staying in wasn’t sealed against the mountain snow and wind. Ben came back to Goodsoil the next summer and worked with Natural Resources, clearing campsites at Lac des Isles, Greig Lake and Kimball Lake. During the winter he would go fishing with his dad. In 1969, he met Magda Vandenbroele, a French teacher who had moved to Goodsoil from some exotic place named Belgium. From there, things really started rolling! In 1970, he started a summer job with the Department of Highways which soon turned into a full time job, for the next 25 years. Then in 1971, it happened… Benny got married! Magda and Ben made their first home on St. Boniface Avenue in 1974. Their first son, Derek, was born in 1977. They built their house just in time before their second son, David, arrived in 1979. In 1982, Gregory came along. We three boys remember having many great times together as a family, camping, travelling and being told regularly that Christmas doesn’t come everyday, or money does not, in fact, grow on trees! The next years with his family were some of the best years of Ben’s life, filled with hockey…hockey… and….oh, did I mention hockey!?! But seriously, things were busy, but we always seemed to have fun. In 1996, Ben retired from the Department of Highways, and with the sons graduating and moving away, the next stage of life started for Ben and Magda. Busy weeks and weekends filled with travelling and family activities slowly wound down, and eventually Greg was the only son at home. In 2000 the first grandchild, Ashton, was born. Greg graduated from grade twelve. Ben was transitioning from fatherly duties to becoming a grandfather all in the same year. Over the next few years, Katelynn came along in 2005, Connor became part of the Rolheiser tribe in 2010, and Hudson was born in 2011, giving Ben four grandchildren, whom he always spoke of with great pride and a twinkle in his eye. The final years of Ben’s life were quiet. He would cut his grass every few days, whether it needed it or not, and help Magda in the garden. Digging potatoes in the fall was always his favourite garden chore. Winters were filled with using his snowblower, whether he needed to or not, and watching every curling event that was on tv. His final summer was special. He and Mag, as he always called her, were able to spend many hours on their deck just enjoying the weather and talking. In July, Magda and Ben celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. The family was able to have a nice quiet weekend just enjoying time together after COVID had kept us all apart for months. In the morning of September 1, 2021, Ben passed away peacefully, holding his wife’s hand, in the home they had built together over the past 43 years.

Ben was predeceased by: His father, John Rolheiser, mother, Emma Rolheiser, father-in-law, Donatus Vandenbroele, mother-in-law, Maria Van de Cappelle,
and brother-in-law Robert Bertrand.

He is survived by: His wife, Magda Rolheiser, Sons: Derek Rolheiser, David (Vanessa) Rolheiser, Gregory (Natalie Rickard) Rolheiser. Grandchildren: Ashton Rolheiser, Katelynn Rolheiser, Connor Stojan, and Hudson Rolheiser. Siblings: Gabriella Bertrand, Louise (Len) Suchan, Rosemarie Rolheiser, Dorothy (Vince) Schewalje, Vern Rolheiser. Numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. Also mourning his loss is a large family in Belgium.

Condolences To The Family Can Be Sent To www.jethomasfuneralhome.com

J.E. Thomas Funeral Home and Crematorium Ltd. of Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan have been entrusted with the arrangements (306) 236-5501

• Date : 2021-09-01
• Location : Goodsoil, Sask