Obituary of Melvin Risling

RISLING ~ Melvin Murray Risling passed away in Lloydminster Hospital on April 24, 2014 at the age of seventy-three years. Mel leaves to cherish his memory: his loving wife of fifty years, Marlene; six children: Murray, David, Ryan (Shannon), Melissa (Richard) Wagner, Kurt and Sara (Marty)Wheaton; six grandchildren: Brandon, Christian, Samuel and Noah Risling, Claira Wagner and Kyrah Wheaton; one brother, David (Marilee) Risling of Saskatoon; three sisters, Wilma (Darryl) Penn of Saskatoon, Mary (Nelson) Brandle of Vernon, British Columbia and Eileen (Herb) Hoswitchka of Ottawa, Ontario. Mel was predeceased by his parents, his brother Carl and wife Jean, and brother Dan and wife Irene. Mel was born to Carl and Magdalina Risling in Scott, Saskatchewan on October 30, 1040. He lived in Revenue, Saskatchewan until his parents sold the general store and moved to Battleford. He met Marlene while both attended the Convent of the Child Jesus in North Battleford. They were married in 1963 and started their life together. Mel started working for Canada Safeway in high school and quickly worked his way up to being the youngest store manager in western Canada at the age of twenty-five while living in Saskatoon. Eventually Mel and Marlene and their first three children, Murray, David and Ryan relocated to Lloydminster where he continued to work in retail until he started a position at United Oilseed as Assistant Marketing Manager. His position gave Mel the opportunity to travel throughout much of North America. He would always bring back some little trinkets for the kids and they sure looked forward to his return home. In 1976, Mel and Marlene bought a five acre plot of land right next to Marlene's childhood home and moved out there with Murray, David, and Ryan. After realizing just how much work it took to develop and maintain an acreage, they had three more children, Melissa, Kurt and Sara . . . just to help with all the yard work. The children have many memories of Saturday's spent pushing a lawn mower. After United Oilseed changed hands Mel and Marlene owned and operated "The Bookshelf." Mel's hobbies included hockey in his younger years, he was picked to play on the Boston Bruin farm team, but Mom Risling wouldn't let him go. She said he might damage his fingers and that just wouldn't work since he was a trumpet player. Music always played a big part in Mel's and his family's life. He played in family dance bands, award winning Marching Bands, thirty-six plus years in St. Anthony's Choir and for many Premier and Mayors Prayer Breakfast. He also played for two Prime Ministers. There were two things that Mel wanted to be able to do before he passed away. For many years the choir wanted to make a record and when Mel became ill that was the incentive they needed to undertake this project and bring it to fruition. They were able to complete the record shortly before Mel's first surgery. The second thing he wanted to do before his passing was the opportunity to celebrate his 50th wedding anniversary. This happened on September 7, 2013 and he was able to share that wonderful day with his family and friends. Mel didn't want to be canonized a saint at his funeral, although I'm sure he had the patience of one . . . 50 years' worth of waiting for Marlene to finish visiting after Mass. Sara recalls sitting in the car with her dad and him saying "Who could she possibly be talking to, the parking lot is empty?!" The most important thing to Mel was his faith. Although he never advertised it or preached it, he lived it every day. He was a man faithful to mass and daily prayer who set an example and encouraged his children to do the same. The kids all knew that when the grandfather clock struck 8:00 A.M. no matter what they were doing, it was prayer time before heading out to catch the bus. It was his faith and devotion to the Divine Mercy that carried him through till the very end. All of his family can agree he was a man of dignity, quiet strength, loyal to a fault, honorable, dedicated, and would never take advantage of anyone for personal gain. Growing up in the home that Mel and Marlene built meant growing up in a peaceful, supportive, loving environment. All of the kids have heard at least once growing up "You sure come from a nice family." "Love is patient and kind. Love does not envy or board, is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way. It is not irritable or resentful. It does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things. Love never ends." These qualities nurtured and played out in Mel's life. Everything else said about his is simply icing on the cake. We, the Risling Family, want to thank family and friends for the many thoughtful, generous acts of kindness shown to us: Thank you Dr. Gerber and the Nurses at the Lloydminster Hospital, the Home Care Nurses, Father Rajappa Savariappan for the Masses and visits and Father John Hess coming so far to be with us. Our thanks go to Jack Mallett for giving the Eulogy, St. Anthony's Choir, and thanks for the feast by our Filipino friends and the CWL's helping hand. Thank you for the cards, flowers, donations, food brought to the house, phone calls and visits and for all the prayers and Masses offered for Mel. We would also like to thank McCaw Funeral Service Ltd. for their professionalism combined with attention to detail, sensitivity and thoughtfulness. May God Bless each and every one of you.