Ernest Melvin Anderson

It is with great sadness that the family announces that, after a long courageous battle with health issues, Ernie passed away at the age of 82, on Thursday, January 18th, 2024, with his loved ones by his side.
 

Ernie was born in Humboldt, SK on March 17th, 1941, to Harvey and Ethel Anderson. He was the ninth child of eleven. He began his schooling in St. Brieux and when the family moved to Saskatoon, he attended Caswell Hill and Haultain Schools. He completed grade six before joining the workforce at the age of twelve.
 

Ernie was a self-taught mechanic working faithfully for Lone Star which became Fort Ignition and later UAP NAPA. His expertise and knowledge were greatly sought out by engineers and large trucking companies. One of his proudest accomplishments was being recognized by UAP NAPA at a ceremony in Montreal, together with his four children in attendance.

In 1958, Ernie met Edith (Edie) Janzen and they were married on December 11, 1959. They welcomed five children into their world: Shelley, Kelly, David, Tracy, and Cameron. Life in the 60’s was hard with many moves before they settled into the family home in Massey Place in 1971. 

Ernie’s greatest passion was his family. He worked hard to ensure that his family’s needs were met. There were family struggles that he met head on when he became a Christian in the fall of 1973. His love for God and his family kept us together, and this love was instilled in each of us as we too began to follow the Lord.
 

His faith was shaken but held firm when he lost his youngest son, Cameron, in 1988 and then his wife, Edie, in 1995. His care and concern for his family stayed paramount in his life and he stepped up as a single parent and grandparent during life’s most difficult times.
 

Aside from family, Ernie had a deep love of horses which never wavered from the age of five until his death.He loved all aspects of being a horseman, from cleaning corrals, swathing, or baling to his favourites riding, or driving his team. Horses followed the family from numerous backyards to Double G Stables, over to the Valley Road Farm, and then finally, when his dream of purchasing an acreage was realized, to his home on Auction Mart Road.
 

In May of 1999, Ernie met Linda Favell and was blessed to find love again. They married on January 22, 2000, and remained happily so until his passing. He often remarked on how fortunate he was to have found Linda and we, as his family, were overjoyed that he found happiness again. 

Shortly after they married, Ernie received his pink slip from UAP NAPA when they eliminated their service department. Though this was devastating, he would not let this keep him down. Through determination and a love of hard work and with Linda by his side, he opened his own, very successful, mechanics shop on the acreage.

Together, Ernie and Linda created a beautiful home where family gatherings were rich with fun and laughter.  Sleigh rides at Christmas, haystack tag in the fall, amazing family dinners, and of course, a pot of tea was always on for an afternoon visit. When family wasn’t visiting the two kept busy with livestock and chores, and even fixing vehicles together! 

How wonderful it was for Ernie to have found a loving best friend and soulmate in Linda for the past 24 years. He cherished her as he did his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. We were the lucky ones; we were truly blessed.

Ernie leaves to mourn his loving wife, Linda Anderson. His children, Shelley (Darryl) Braun, Kelly (Milton) Block, David (Paige) Anderson, and Tracy (Eric) Lyons. His fourteen grandchildren and their spouses, and fifteen great-grandchildren. His sisters, Evelyn Surgeson, Jessie Fleming, Jeannette Anderson, and Violet Enver, along with numerous nieces, nephews, and friends. Dad was predeceased by his first wife, Edie; his youngest son, Cameron Ernest, and numerous family members.
 

The family invites you to a viewing on Thursday, January 25th from 7-9pm, at Martens Warman Funeral Home, 402 Central Street W, Warman. Funeral taking place on Friday, January 26, 2024, at 2:00pm at Mayfair United Church, 902 33^rd St. W. Saskatoon.

Ernie's service will be available to view online at https://www.faithproductions.ca/livestreams 

In lieu of flowers the family encourages donations be made to Samaritan Place, Saskatoon, Sk.

Martens Warman Funeral Home is honored to be entrusted with the care and arrangements for Ernest Anderson.