Obituary of Ronald Alquin Bendfeld

Ronald Alquin Bendfeld was born on June 1, 1941, the eldest of eight children of Verner and Norma Bendfeld. Ron passed away peacefully August 5, 2016 at the age of 75 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Camrose after an eighteen month battle with cancer. Ron was a farmer from the beginning. He liked nothing better than helping his dad around the family farm east of Heisler. He especially loved his dad’s horses, Silvie and Buck. In 1962, he bought a quarter of school land a mile north of Heisler, where he would spend the majority of his life. He met Bonnie James of Killam at a hockey game in Daysland in 1966 and married her three years later on August 2, 1969. They were blessed with three beautiful children – Rhonda in 1972, Tracy in 1975, and Bradley in 1977. The three of them brought Ron an abundance of happiness and pride. He spent the majority of his days outdoors, feeding pigs, tending cattle, fixing equipment or just “puttering” around the farmyard. He bled John Deere green and had a love for Fords that rivalled no other. He loved to keep busy, but also loved his afternoon naps on his recliner, mostly watching sports, especially his beloved Blue Jays! Later on, he spent many happy days with Bonnie at the family cottage at Ma-Me-O Beach relaxing and enjoying the company. Ron’s greatest joys were his grandchildren! He loved to teach them to play baseball in the living room (much to the chagrin of Bonnie!) and snuggle with them on his recliner. He enjoyed teasing them and they would do their best to tease him back. One of his greatest pleasures was watching them play sports – volleyball, basketball, hockey and his absolute favourite, baseball! He will be sorely missed by them all. Ron will be lovingly remembered by his devoted wife of 47 years, Bonnie, his children Rhonda (Murray) McLaughlin of Ponoka, Tracy Bendfeld of Camrose and Brad (Christie) Bendfeld of Daysland, and his seven grandchildren: Meegan, Chloe, Jared, Liam, Kenna, Justin and Sydney. He also leaves to mourn four brothers: Ed (Renie), Bob (Saundra), Dennis (DonaMae) and Bill; three sisters: Pat (Ken) Lang, Glennis Bailey (Jim) and Mary Ann Bendfeld (Diane); three brothers-in-law: Bill (Joanie) James, Bob (Deb) James and Bud (Tammy) James, and two sisters-in-law: Debbie James and Jacquie (Wade) Bonnett, as well as numerous nieces and nephews and many friends. He was predeceased by his parents, Verner and Norma, two nephews, Michael Bendfeld and Andrew Bendfeld, one brother-in-law, Darwin Bailey, his father and mother-in-law, Sid and Ruth James, and one sister-in-law, Rosalie James. A Memorial Mass will be held on August 13, 2016 at St. Martin's Catholic Church in Heisler, Alberta at 11:00 A.M. Please join the family for a time of fellowship and refreshments to be served in the Heisler Community Centre immediately following the service. Memorial donations in Ron’s memory may be made to STARS or Alberta Cancer Foundation.