Jacqueline Michelle Bantle

Jacqueline was a spirited soul who touched the lives of everyone she met in many different ways, including her countless hours of community giving, volunteering, participation, advocacy and quiet involvement. She had an unforgettable smile and laugh, described as her “secret weapon,” paired with an exceptional sense of humour. Accepting and non-judgemental, Jacqueline approached life with openness. She was a strong, very capable and independent woman who always had your back and was always ready to listen with an open heart.

She achieved her Royal Conservatory Music Performers Certificate early in her life and always found strength in music and sharing her talent with others. She played many different instruments and was never afraid to learn a new one; her flute playing was particularly inspiring. She taught her nieces and nephews piano, was an organist at St. Philip’s and St. Michael’s church, organized music ensembles for special family events, and played just for the love of it. Jacqueline expressed her artistic aptitude in other ways as well. She would get a kick out of finding and wearing hats, whether from Mongolia or for Jeannine’s wedding.

A true nature lover, she would sometimes sleep outside, under the stars, after a hard day’s work building the family cabin at Wakaw Lake with Gwendolyn and her family. She enjoyed camping, the road trip to get there, the great outdoors, fishing, hiking, swimming, relaxing on the Saskatchewan river, and anything that had the potential to connect her with family or friends at the end of those days – to surround a campfire to laugh and tell stories, as she loved to do. Her stories would sometimes turn into open discussions that were energetic, detailed, wide-ranging and sometimes filled with political tones, a bit of drama and, most often, humour. After long days of fishing on Besnard Lake, Myles and Jacqueline would “feed the family” by preparing a fresh fish fry on an open campfire, served just after midnight as they reminisced about “the one that got away.”

Stories and open discussions were a thread in her work life as well. Her co-workers would say they felt they knew her family better than her family knew each other, because of Jacqueline’s storytelling.

Although Jacqueline never had children of her own, her unconditional love for her nieces and nephews shone through brightly, along with her devotion to her siblings, her mom and dad, her friends, extended family and many others in need of care or companionship. She valued sentiment and knew the true meaning of, “It was important”. Many travels throughout the world were based on her desire to be with nieces, nephews, friends and family, to take in life, to smell the roses.

In her thirties, Jacqueline survived a tough cancer diagnosis. She accepted her struggles and had her own internal strength to face the challenges, seldom asking for the help of others. She had to travel to Vancouver for treatment, but even then, she took the time to strengthen her connection to her Uncle Eddie. Her positive attitude, the love of her family and friends, her determination and the grace of God gave us all another twenty or so more years to receive her gifts and join in life with her. Our lives are ever blessed and our hearts fuller as a result.

Jacqueline received her Bachelor of Education with a music major at the University of Saskatchewan (USask). She taught at the high school in Maidstone, Saskatchewan; however, her first career was short-lived, as her love for plants and the outdoors beckoned. Her inquisitive nature and academic ability peaked during her pursuit and attainment of a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, specializing in vegetable research/horticulture. She planted seeds, both in the soil and in the souls of people, throughout her horticulture career. Jacqueline was integral to the horticulture, greenhouse and agriculture community at USask and throughout Saskatchewan for more than 30 years. She was a proud and very active member of the Saskatchewan Horticulture Association. She shared her love of plants through her talks and written articles. Jacqueline was first a research technician for 15 years before joining and leading the Ag Greenhouse and the Horticulture Field Research Facility at the Plant Science department. From haskaps to drought-resistant wheat, Jacqueline played a part in a number of Canadian research innovations led by the University of Saskatchewan. Quoted in one USask article, she said, “Sometimes all I see are the weeds in front of me, but it’s really true, we’re really making a difference in so many people’s lives. The small stuff we do every day affects the industry, the province, the country, and even the world.”

Jacqueline’s leadership was always evident to her family, friends and professional colleagues. She was a team-builder who set the example by rolling up her sleeves. The students that worked under Jacqueline at the Horticulture Field Research Facility loved her spirit and had fun. She would provide weekly treats to show her appreciation and create camaraderie. Was it going to be “drumsticks or an ice cream sandwich” at break time on those hot summer days in the field? Once, during a field trip to Holland, a student asked if they could take some of many hundreds of leftover gerbera daisies at the end of a banquet. Jacqueline encouraged her and the others to take an armful back to their hotel. She was exemplary, dependable, tenacious and a supporter of any project. If family, friends or co-workers had a goal but needed extra energy, Jacqueline provided it with her time, her gifts and seemingly everything.

We are all saddened to see the end to a beautiful life. Jacqueline fought her traumatic brain injury tenaciously for six weeks, most likely for the love of her family and friends. Her sister Jeannine and niece Brittney, and Nicola and Jason, sat lovingly by her side, along with her good friends Alan Weninger and Neil LaBar, to comfort her. In the end, it was God’s plan for her to come home after a life of love and grace.

One of Jacqueline’s classic one-liners was, “You’re such a hero!” Jacqueline’s life exemplified a real-life hero.

Jacqueline is lovingly remembered by her four siblings and their families: Myles Bantle, children Christopher and Amy; Gwendolyn (Gord) Zakreski, children Brad (Charnelle) and Rylan (Megan); Jeannine (George) Douville, children Patrick and Brittney; Jason (Nicola) Bantle, step-children Edward and Joshua; and five great-nieces, Natalisha, Olivia, Emily, Vollyan and Vaila.

Jacqueline was predeceased by her brother Patrick, her mother Regina, her father Denis, her grandparents Henrina and Mike Kirzinger, Catherine and Leo Bantle, and Patricia Witzel.

The family wants to thank all who provided medical care to Jacqueline at Royal University Hospital and St. Paul’s Hospital palliative care unit. The grace and love staff extended not only to Jacqueline but also to the family is greatly appreciated. In lieu of flowers, we ask that donations can be made to your choice of Royal University Hospital Foundation, St. Paul’s Hospital Foundation or Greenpeace Canada.

Prayers and funeral masses will be celebrated at St. Phillip’s Catholic Church, 1902 Munroe Ave. S, Saskatoon, on Sunday, April 26 at 7 pm (prayers) and Monday, April 27 at 11 am (funeral). Lunch to be served at St. Joseph’s Hall, on Broadway Ave. between 8th and 9th Street, immediately after the funeral. The funeral will be livestreamed through the church’s Youtube channel: www.youtube.com/@stphilipneriparishsask/streams.

Interment will be on Tuesday April 28 at 10:30 am at St. Michael’s Cemetery in Cudworth, Saskatchewan.