Santiago (Santi) Andres Mendez of Waseca, SK passed away on March 1, 2026 in Waseca, SK at the age of 19 years. 

Santiago was born in Lloydminster, SK to José Mendez and Crystal Hult on September 5, 2006. He attended school in Maidstone and graduated in 2024. Santiago spent the next year studying Engineering at the University of Regina. After completing his first year, he decided to follow a different career path and came home to work on the farm. In July 2025, he earned his class 1A license. 

Santiago enjoyed many years of high school and community curling, in addition to a couple years of basketball with the senior high team. He was an avid car enthusiast and had a great love for his vehicles, which were his first car “The Lancer”, his first truck “The Red Ford”, his first Mercedes, and finally his First-Gen 1986 Dodge. He was an active gamer and spent many hours online with his friends. Santiago cherished his closest friends who were like family to him in every way. He lived his life by the admirable values he believed in. He was a strong and honorable man of integrity, honesty, respect and he held a deep love for his family and friends. 

Santiago is survived by: his loving parents, José Mendez and Crystal Hult of Waseca, SK; his brother, Victor Mendez of Waseca, SK; his maternal grandparents, Victor and Beverly Hult of Lloydminster, AB; and numerous extended family and close friends. 

Santiago was predeceased by: his paternal grandparents, Raul Mendez Arnejo and Raquel Fabre Buffa of Ecilda Paullier, Uruguay. 

An intimate and private celebration of life for Santiago will be held at a later date for his immediate family and closest friends only. 

In lieu of cards and flowers, donations in the memory of Santiago may be made to Maidstone Curling Club or the Maidstone High School Senior Boys Basketball Team, as both these pastimes and places held moments of great joy for Santiago.