Elayne Beverley Wendland

ELAYNE WENDLAND (nee Schneider)

December 5, 1953 - September 24, 2022

On Saturday, September 24, 2022, Elayne Beverley Wendland (nee Schneider) loving mother, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend, passed away at the age of 68.

Elayne was born, the first of 6 children, on December 5, 1953 in Saskatoon to parents Arlaine and Joyce Schneider (nee McGratten). She was raised on the family dairy farm by Grandora until she married and moved away at age 16.

A few years after the birth of her daughter, they moved back to Saskatchewan to reside in the small hamlet of Grandora, where she stayed for almost 30 years.

Elayne always had a love for animals, and although she lived on a small lot in Grandora, there was always room for one more! That "one more" could be anything from farm animals, exotic animals and birds (llamas, peacocks, etc), to wildlife (skunks, deer, racoons) which she was able to house and/or rehabilitate through her zoo license. She even took in kids from time to time if they were going through a hard time. She had a huge heart, a heavy hand, and the respect of whatever 2 or 4-legged soul that passed through. She finally moved to a larger acreage where she had more room for her animals. She had animals with her until her passing.

Being a single parent at age 22 wasn't easy but she had a strong work ethic and she did the best she could. She worked a variety of jobs through the years — The Red Grill in Woolco; The Bar K; the Arbus Club (teacher's lounge); Vanscoy Hotel bar; and eventually cleaning houses and offices. Her quick wit and great sense of humour made it easy for her to make friends at each new job. She cherished those friendships for many years.

Although most jobs had her working nights, she was always home on the weekends. She would spend that precious time with her daughter doing whatever needed to be done for the animals or getting together with family or friends to laugh, tell stories, and enjoy themselves.

For many years, she had a tradition on Saturdays, the Auction Mart! She would spend Saturday morning talking and making friends and looking for that elusive "great find" at the bottom of a 25 cent box of miscellaneous, or picking up another discarded animal to nurse back to health and raise. She was always looking for a deal!

Mom loved to garden, listen to music and dance, give advice, help out where needed, and spend time with family and friends. We will miss her greatly.

Elayne will be lovingly remembered by her daughter Bev (Brant) Como; siblings Barry (Joan), Sheila Herbers, Brenda Cook (Jurista); and many nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends. She was predeceased by her parents and her brothers Darryl and Ron.

"You are free from pain now, Mom, and reunited with all those you have loved and lost. Rest in peace, Mom, your work here is done. I'll love you always."

Her Celebration will be held on Sunday, October 9th at 1pm at the St. George Senior Centre at 1235 20th Street West, Saskatoon.