Bennie Theodore Ness, passed away on Wednesday, November 30, 2011 at St. Peter's Hospital, Melville, SK at the age of 92 years. Ben was born at Plainview, SK on December 21, 1918. He was raised on the family farm, the second eldest of 7 children of John and Olga Ness. Ben married his lifetime partner, Nancy Green, in 1947 in Saskatoon. Together they raised two daughters, Dianne and Colleen. Later on in life he was blessed with a granddaughter, Rianna and three grandsons, Garnett, Paul and Clark. Ben served overseas in World War II with the RCAF as an aero engine mechanic on the Lancaster Bombers. This led to his career in the auto service industry throughout Saskatchewan where he progressed from auto mechanic, to shop foreman, then service manager, followed by body shop manager. Ben retired at the age of 60 spending twenty happy winters in Weslaco, TX making new friends, playing shuffleboard and tending his roses. Summers were spent at the cabin at Good Spirit Lake (which he and Nancy built) where Ben enjoyed fishing, photography (especially sunset pictures on the lake), flower gardening, refinishing old furniture and the gathering of family and friends for daily socializing and laughter on the deck. Ben also loved to plan the sightseeing agenda for their travels they camped throughout 50 states and across Canada during their retirement years and vacationed in Hawaii and Europe. Alaska became a favourite destination. Ben was predeceased by his parents John and Olga Ness, brothers Omar Ness, Leon Ness; a sister, Ella Spearey; a nephew, Glen Nelson and a niece, Donna Ness. Within hours of his death, Ben's sister, Margaret Selland, also passed away. Ben will be lovingly remembered for his kind and fun loving nature by his wife Nancy; children Dianne (Rein) Tichelaar and Colleen (Joe) Schommer; grandchildren Rianna (Chris) French, Garnett (Robyn) Schommer, Paul (Lindsay Acheson) Tichelaar, and Clark Schommer; great-grandchildren Sean and Ellyson French; siblings Sylvia Nelson and Gordon (Freda) Ness; sisters-in-law Evelyn and Pearl Ness; nieces, nephews, and many other relatives and friends. The family thanks the staff of the St. Paul Lutheran Home for caring for and about Ben during the last four years. The funeral service was held Monday, December 5, 2011 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Melville with the Rev. Kim Sherwin officiating. Ben's daughter, Dianne Tichelaar, read the scripture and grandson Garnett Schommer delivered the eulogy. St. Paul Lutheran Home Chaplain Rev. Phil Schwindt also shared his memories of Ben. The organist, Nora Cochrane, led in the hymns "O Come All Ye Faithful", "Precious Lord, Take My Hand", "Faith of Our Fathers" and "How Great Thou Art". Members of the Royal Canadian legion, Robert G. Combe, V.C. Branch 61 performed the Legion Act of Remembrance and formed and honour guard. Interment took place in the Melville City Cemetery with Rianna French, Garnett Schommer, Paul Tichelaar, Clark Schommer, Rein Tichelaar and Joe Schommer acting as pallbearers. Arrangements were entrusted to Matthews Funeral Home, Melville.
