DIELSCHNEIDER, Peter John

January 7, 1928 - February 21, 2020

It is with great sadness that the family of Peter Dielschneider announces his passing on Friday, February 21, 2020 at the Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon. Peter was raised on the family farm near Primate, Saskatchewan. Hungry for an education, he moved to Battleford and completed high school at St. Thomas College. Before and during university, he worked throughout North America to save for his tuition. He graduated from the College of Law at the University of Saskatchewan in 1953 and from his beloved St. Thomas More College in 1954. After articling under Emmett Hall, he moved to Melville in 1955 to hang out his shingle. In 1956, he married the mischievous and quick-witted Joyce Killick, with whom he raised three children.

In addition to practicing law, Peter devoted significant time to community service. He served as a trustee for St. Henry’s Separate School, a member of the Knights of Columbus, a member of St. Elizabeth’s Hospital Board of Governors, a member of the St. Anne’s Orphanage Board of Advisors, and a member of the St. Thomas More College Board of Governors. He was the mayor of Melville from 1964 until his appointment to the District Court in 1973. He was later appointed to the Court of Queen’s Bench in 1981 and served as a judge of that court until his 75th birthday in 2003. He was committed to seeing that justice was done and crisscrossed the province hearing matters for nearly thirty years. He respected the people who appeared before him and watched out for those who struggled with poverty, addiction, and lack of opportunity. He understood that personal circumstances were inseparable from legal problems and attempted to craft decisions that not only satisfied the law, but also recognized the needs of the individual and the community.

His life was shaped by his deep faith, his belief in the importance of education, and his commitment to his family. He was gentle, compassionate, stubborn, and principled. He provided help and guidance to those who asked (and to those who didn’t). He was the same man in private as he was in public. He was the best husband, father, grandfather, and "great-papa." He was so proud of his grandchildren, and "Gramma and Grampa’s house" was a legendary place full of unconditional love. He had the best laugh, and a favourite activity for his grandchildren was finding clips of the Three Stooges, the Carol Burnett Show, and Home Alone to have him roar with laughter, throw up his hands, and say "oh, gosh." Most importantly, he devotedly cared for Joyce through her difficult last years. He did so without complaint and showed by example that love is a verb. So aptly named, he truly was the rock of the family. Peter’s last three years were filled with happiness and love after he married Fran. She brought the sparkle back into his life. They travelled, entertained friends, nurtured their faith, and cherished one another’s companionship. As he often said, she was "so good" to him, and she tenderly cared for him through the end. Peter is survived by his wife of three years, Fran; children Joanne (Warren) Hinz, Tom (Lois Nahirney) Dielschneider, and Bev (Curt) Van Parys; grandchildren Christopher (Luciano Biscottini) and Daniel (Nancy) Hinz, Kailyn and Levi Nahirney, and Johnna and Carter (Kaci) Van Parys; great-grandchildren Kelsey and Ryder Hinz; sister Katie Reschny; brother Tony Dielschneider and his wife Shari; and sisters-in-law Ethel and Elma Killick. He was predeceased by his wife of 54 years, Joyce; parents Christopher and Josephine (Bichel) Dielschneider; and sisters Frances (in infancy), Anna Mary Weinkauf, Bernadine Dielschneider, and Madeline Mildenberger.

The family offers special thanks to Dr. A. Nayar for providing many years of excellent care. The family would also like to thank the Royal University Hospital staff and physicians in emergency, ATA, cardiology, medicine, and especially oncology, where they made Peter’s last day comfortable, peaceful, and full of chocolate ice cream.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Father Lawrence Demong, OSB on Thursday, February 27, 2020 at 10:30 a.m. at the Cathedral of the Holy Family (123 Nelson Road) in Saskatoon. A family burial will take place in Primate, SK. Flowers are gratefully declined. The family appreciates donations for student scholarships to St. Thomas More College, where Peter had already established the Dielschneider Aboriginal Scholarship. Arrangements in care of David Schurr - Mourning Glory Funeral Services (306) 978-5200 www.mourningglory.ca