Wilfred Windecker

Wilfred Richard Wayne Windecker, age 73, of Saskatoon, SK. passed away January 31, 2025, after a long history with Parkinson’s.

Wilfred was born in Shevlin MB, January 21, 1952 to Lawrence (deceased) and Erna Windecker.  As a teen he attended the country school in Shevlin and enjoyed riding his horse and tinkering with machinery until he went to Winnipeg and started his career to become a journeyman welder. 

While on a trip home from Winnipeg, he met and later married Connie (Wowchuk). Together they raised 3 children, twins Daniel and Dezzrianne and William. In the beginning of their marriage they lived in Shelvin until later moving to Calgary to make their millions but that didn’t work so they later moved to Saskatoon where they settled and raised their kids. 

Wilfred was a member of the United Association, Local 179 for 39 years. Wilfred, as a welder with the UA would travel a lot, helping to build and maintain upgraders, potash mines, pulp mills and various other structures.  Although he would occasionally get burns or flashes from welding, he enjoyed his career very much and would always say his beads had to look pretty as he was proud of the work he had accomplished.  During his career he obtained various types or welding tickets. 

With his wife, they raised their children and although Wilfred was a fairly quiet man, he loved his children and would do anything to help them even if meant driving to another province in order to help them. Through the years he built them a rink in the back, took them boating and camping, along with buying them dirt bikes and making adventures for them. He grew to be very proud of the children. As they got older, he always enjoyed having family gatherings with them and their families. He loved watching his grandchildren and later his great grandchildren and was grateful he got to see his family grow. 

Wilfred’s other joy was becoming a private pilot and being able to own his own plane. Ever since he was small, he had a love for flying. When the kids were young, we would all pack up in the car to either go watch planes land and take off at airports or go to flying shows.  At one point he was thrilled to be able to attend Oshkosh air show with his sons Dan and William. He also enjoyed hunting and fishing with friends. Wilfred and his wife also liked to do home projects together, like fixing motors, shingling, and many other projects in and around the house. 

Wilfred and Connie also enjoyed travelling to various places like Hawaii, Jamaica, the Dominican Republic as well as other warm destinations. 

Wilfred also loved to help people either by welding something for them, mechanics or just a helping hand.  If they needed a vehicle or a kitchen sink, he would have let them use his truck not the sink.  He was often in the garage either helping, yapping or just having a beer with a friend.

Wilfred is survived by his wife Connie, daughter Dezzrianne Windecker-Klassen (Mike Klassen), son Daniel (Carrie Opalko) and son William Windecker, mother Erna Windecker, his grandchildren twins Katherine Thompson and Andrew (Rachel) Thompson, Reese and Zenon Windecker and great Grandchildren Ava (Katherine), Kenza and Shalimar (Andrew).

The family wishes to thank Dr. Rebalkin (family physician) and Oliver Lodge and the ER staff at St. Pauls Hospital.  And all our friends and family for their support at this time and over the years. 

If family and friends so desire, a donation in Wilfred's memory may be made to Parkinson Canada, the Town of Roblin Cemetery Fund or the Orthodox Cemetery Fund.

A Funeral Service was held for Wilfred on Saturday, March 8, 2025 at 1:00 pm from the Sneath-Strilchuk Roblin Chapel in Roblin.  

Interment followed in the Roblin District Cemetery.