Darcy Rediger

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REDIGER – Darcy Rediger beloved partner of Pat Sykes of the Preeceville district passed away suddenly on May 18, 2020. He was 56 years of age,    

     Darcy was predeceased by his mother, Carol, Pat’s parents, Jim and Olga Sykes and his lifelong good friend, Perry Olson.  Darcy is leaving to mourn him, Pat Sykes, his lifelong partner; his father, Norman; his siblings, Karen (David) Meagher, Thomas (Jeanine) and Mark (Marisa); his nieces: Tanya, Vanessa, Rhonda, Kerri, Katherine, Lawrenne and Kayla; brothers-in-law, Rob Sykes, Tom (Nadia)Sykes; special cousins, Phil Rediger and Jamie Wills; and decades long friends Bob Lebo, Paul Draper and Daryl Hansen;  along with other numerous cousins, friends, neighbours and co-workers. 

     Darcy Rediger was born August 29, 1963 in Wadena, SK, second child to Norman and Carol (Sherret) Rediger.  He spent his early years on the farm at Margo and his favourite companion was his younger brother, Tom.   The two spent countless hours outside running, playing in the dirt and climbing trees, riding bikes and in the barn with the animals.  The two were constantly into trouble and along with their cousins, Keith and Philip climbed every tree and building on the farm.  Darcy was a magnet for injury because he took so many risks that we were constantly on the road to the emergency room in Wadena.  Mom got so tired of this, that one summer after the fourth trip when he got a nail in his foot, she pulled it out, soaked his foot in Epsom salts and said he had his tetanus shot so he’d live.  For a kid like Darcy, the farm life was the ideal experience.

     Our family lived for a couple years in Saskatoon and it was fortunate we lived next to a huge empty lot where he spent many hours again with his brother, Tom. When we moved to Preeceville, Darcy was in his glory once again spending the majority of his time outside. He took up hunting with Dad and spent many hours tramping the bush He loved the outdoors and any pursuit related to this love.

      He attended high school in Preeceville and at LCBI in Outlook.  Many of Darcy’s life long friends were made in his teen years.  The Olson brothers, Owen Myhr, the Rosassen brothers and Shawn Serhan, just to name a few.  In fact, when he moved to Calgary and his group of friends expanded, at the core were always the guys from Preeceville who lived there.  His friends were really important to him and to Darcy a stranger was a friend he hadn’t yet met. Darcy loved sports and spent many years curling, playing hockey and following the Roughriders. He loved hunting, quadding and snowmobiling; if it took him outside, he was there.

     In 1994 Darcy met Pat Sykes in Calgary and they spent 25 years together.  They bought a huge acreage in Calgary and spent countless hours making it beautiful.  Again in 2007, they retired from the city life and bought 17.5 acres outside of Preeceville, Darcy’s favourite town in the world. Darcy and Pat spent many hours making their little home in the woods across from “the lake.” They lived in a rented house in town and then in a camper on their property while their home was being built.  They were so excited to leave the city and embrace country living.  Darcy and Pat were an excellent couple her quiet thoughtfulness balanced his extroverted nature.

     Darcy was universally loved by so many because his life touched so many individuals.  He always had time to help out a neighbour or friend and it is this quality that he is probably best known for.  Everyone was a buddy, even those he didn’t know very well.  He had strong opinions which he was willing to share but he was fine with you airing your opinions. He didn’t think you had to think the same as he did to be his friend.  He had a big presence with a big voice and his heart was kind and generous. He did not judge whether or not you were worthy of his aid; if you needed help, he was there.  He stood firm in his convictions and it was near impossible to change his mind which made him an excellent representative for counsellor for the RM, a position he took great pride in serving. He was also passionate about the Wildlife Federation which was a lifelong love of his.

     Family was important to him and he loved Pat deeply and her family was as important to him as his own.  The care he exhibited to our mom last year was phenomenal and we were so appreciative of all he did, but when we tried to thank him for being there for all of us, he just thought it was no big deal and of course he would do it.  He was a phenomenal son and brother in exhibiting care whenever our family needed it.

     Everyone has a Darcy story (or more likely ten.) He had two favourite expressions; ‘You can’t fix stupid with duct tape,” and “If you didn’t want to know the truth, don’t ask. He had many jobs over the years and he did very well with all of them but one of his favourites was working on the farm for Owen. 

     A visitation for family and friends was held on Friday, May 22 from the Chapel of Preeceville Funeral Home. Funeral Services were  held on Saturday, May 23, 2020 from the Chapel of Preeceville Funeral Home with Pastor Hein Bertram of St. John Lutheran Church officiating. Special Tributes were written by Karen Meagher, Mark Rediger and Owen Myhr. The interment took place in St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery, Preeceville with Pat Sykes serving as the urn bearer. Memorials in memory of Darcy may be made to the Preeceville Wildlife Federation, Box 711 Preeceville, SK S0A 3B0 as gifts of remembrance. Condolences can be sent to the family at www.preecevillefuneralhome.com  

     Arrangements were entrusted to Preeceville Funeral Home.