Ernest Vejdelek
February 11, 1927 – July 20, 2025
Ernest Vejdelek passed away peacefully at the age of 98 on July 20, 2025, with family by his side. He was born in the Ridgedale area of Saskatchewan on February 11, 1927 to Bedrich (Ben) and Anna Vejdelek who were from Czechoslovakia. He didn’t learn English until he went to school. He grew up on a farm along with two sisters, Geraldine and Georgine.
Ernest attended Henderson School before going to Prince Albert for high school. In 1951 he obtained a degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Saskatchewan. Summer jobs during university included working as electrician’s helper at the Stelco steel plant in Hamilton, Ontario. In 1952 he went to work for the town of Balcarres, helping install the water system. Soon after, he started his own electrical business doing residential, commercial, and farm wiring, as well as appliance sales. His Electrical Service shop was a main street icon for decades. Several individuals apprenticed at Electrical Service, going on to obtain their Electrical Journeyman’s status, and several high school students worked with him during holidays.
Ernest was a member of the Balcarres Lions Club and a member of the Balcarres Volunteer Fire Department for many years. He truly loved the Balcarres community. There was always lots of laughter and ribbing at coffee time. And not to forget the “safety meetings” where some of the stories may have been “stretched” a bit for entertainment purposes! He enjoyed the close proximity of the beautiful Qu’Appelle Valley. In 1970, he built a cabin in the village of Katepwa Beach. Family spent many happy and fun times with Ernest… relaxing at his cabin, boating and tubing, playing at the beach, hiking around the valley and hills, going for airplane rides, going to numerous air shows, stopping for KFC and ice cream, and taking ‘short cuts’ which often added considerable time to a drive but also provided new scenery and experiences. Ernest made many trips to be with family at the farm near Ridgedale and to Saskatoon, Regina, and Coalhurst Alberta for visits, Christmas, special occasions, and of course blueberry picking in August with the hopes of seeing a bear. There were many hikes through the bush and to the river at the farm with anyone who wanted to tag along. You were always certain to get explanations of the soil formations, of plants and trees, of animal tracks, and of all of nature around us. It was never boring when Ernest was around, and there was always a joke or two to be told.
In 1961 Ernest obtained his private pilot license and was instrumental in the formation of the Balcarres Flying Club that year. Flying was a true passion which he loved to share by giving people rides in his Taylorcraft and explaining the technicalities of flight. Ernest had many other interests: hunting, fishing, gardening, building gadgets and puzzles, and so much more.
Ernest had an inquiring mind and was motivated to learn throughout his lifetime, but also enjoyed sharing his vast knowledge of many subjects. If you asked him a question, you had to be prepared for a long and detailed explanation. Many an explanation involved him sketching on a napkin! Ernest also had a talent of being able to figure out solutions to all sorts of problems and was a true ‘Mr. Fix-it’. He took pride in his work.
Balcarres remained in his home until 2021 when he realized his house and yard were too much for him to look after. He moved to Saskatoon in 2021 to be closer to family. After a fall in 2024 when he broke his hip and thumb, he moved into Circle Drive Special Care Home which provided excellent care and activities for him until his passing.
Left to cherish Ernest’s memory are his sisters Geraldine and Georgine; nephews Cliff (Gloria) Atkings and family, and Ken (Debbie) Atkings and family; nieces Helen (Bob) Baumgartner and family, Jan (Doug) Weber and family, and Edie Weber (Marlon Anderson); the Atkings side of the family who also considered him as their ‘Uncle Ernest’: Bev Sochaski, Darryl (Debbie) Atkings, Debbie (Trevis) Sturby and their mom Carol Atkings; and numerous friends and neighbours.
Ernest touched the lives of many people, and made many friends in his 98 years.
Arrangements entrusted to Dalmeny Funeral Home 306-254-2022.
We considered Ernie a good friend, both in the air and on the ground. We shared many cups of coffee, story telling visits and fly-ins over the years. He had an anecdote for every occasion and a solution for every problem. Ernie had two ways of approaching an issue “no problem” or “no real problem”. The latter meant there was a problem, so be prepared! We missed Ernie when he moved to Saskatoon, but were happy he was closer to his much loved family. We will always remember him, sitting in the Taylorcraft, ready for takeoff, with a smile and a wave.