MCLEAN: Roderick Dale
June 12, 1957 - September 22, 2014
The passing of Roderick Dale McLean of the R.M. of Spalding, Watson District, SK, occurred at Humboldt District Hospital, Humboldt, SK, on Monday, September 22, 2014 at the age of 57 years. Rod was born in Regina, SK, on June 12, 1957, first-born to Elgin and Violet (nee Liski) McLean, a family of eight. Rod grew up on the family farm near Watson. He attended Watson School and was involved in the 4-H Beef Club, played minor hockey and various other school sports. Following high school, he worked various jobs that took him to many places, including Saskatoon, Regina, Alberta, British Columbia and Yellowknife doing construction, carpentry, long haul trucking and oil rigs, to name a few. His love and passion for farming brought him home in 1981, when he bought some land and started farming with his dad. When his parents retired into Watson, Rod moved onto the family homestead. He started his own trucking company, Rod's Trucking, in 1997. He married the love of his life, Vyenda Vidak on July 5, 2003, and they have resided on the farm ever since. Over the years he provided service to his many valued customers. He had a soft spot for all fellow farmers and would always work them in somewhere to get their grain to the terminal, even if it meant changing his own personal plans. His mechanical ability served him well both in farming and trucking. He will be remembered as a patient, soft-spoken and soft-hearted man. He was dependable and hardworking, devoted not only to his business but also to his wife and family. He enjoyed spending time teaching the kids to drive, fish, ski, build a go-kart, or work in the shop. As well he delighted in the many family trips taken and spending time at the cabin. He had an appreciation for nature and the simple things in life and always had time for anyone. He will truly be missed by all who knew and loved him. Rod will be lovingly remembered and sadly missed by his wife, VYENDA (nee Vidak) McLean, and her children, Christine McLean, Kimberly McLean (Jordan Mills) and Bradley McLean of Saskatoon, his parents, Elgin and Violet McLean, of Humboldt; his sister, Donna (Murray) Raab, of Fleming, and family, Kristal (Matthew) Demas of Fleming and children, Skylyn and Tristen, Ryan (Kayla Chicoine) Raab of Moosomin and Cindy (Trevor) Green and son, Henry of Moosomin; Gregory (Sandie) McLean of Humboldt and children, Sarah (Nick) Barczai and son, Connor, of Prince Albert and Stephanie Brown, of Edmonton; Cameron (Valerie) McLean of Watson, and family, Rylan McLean, Jordan McLean and Raelyn McLean, all of Saskatoon; Karen (Sheldon) Schroeder of Saskatoon and family, Amanda Ilg and son, Jaxson, of Saskatoon, Stacy (Matt) Moberly and daughter, Jordan, of Saskatoon, Derek Schroeder and Jesse Schroeder, both of Lloydminster; Loreen (Ken) Vidak, of Englefeld and family, Sarah (Ted) Sand and daughter, Gracie, of Humboldt, Megan Vidak, of Saskatoon, and Justin Vidak, of Englefeld; Jamieson (Mavis) McLean of Slave Lake, AB and family, Spencer McLean, of Slave Lake, Kael (Brandis) Short and Emily Short, both of Grande Prairie, AB. He was predeceased by his baby sister, Julie McLean, on June 9, 1975; and grandparents, Frank Liski, Rose Liski, William McLean and Mary McLean. A Funeral Mass for Rod was offered at Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church, Watson, on Saturday, September 27, 2014, at 1:00 p.m. celebrated by Fr. Darryl Millette. Others taking part were Justin Vidak, crossbearer; Sarah Sand and Paige Vidak, scripture readers; Megan Vidak and Raelyn McLean, intentions; Spencer McLean and Kylan Vidak, giftbearers; Luke Wickenhauser and Sharon Gerspacher, and the Sacred Heart Parish Choir, music ministry; and Derek Schroeder, Jesse Schroeder, Cindy Green and Kristal Demas, memorial table attendants. The eulogy was delivered by Carol Sommer and Gail Michel. Honorary pallbearers were "all those who shared in Rod's life". Urnbearers were Cameron McLean, Rylan McLean and Jordan McLean. Interment followed at Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Cemetery, Watson. Memorial donations may be directed to Canadian Cancer Society or Sacred Heart Parish, Watson, SK. Schuler-Lefebvre Funeral Chapel, Humboldt, SK.
