Obituary for Lance Craig Wellsch
Lance Craig Wellsch
March 23rd, 1953 - May 12th, 2023
Lance Craig Wellsch was born in Swift Current and was the oldest of four sons. He grew up in Stewart Valley, a small farming area just outside of Swift Current and the Saskatchewan mecca where the “Wellsch’s” originate. Lance had fond memories of growing up on the family farm; his dad teaching him how to drive their truck at a very young age, his childhood dog Blaze, and even a special family cow. Lance was very close with his brothers, parents, and grandparents growing up. He unfortunately lost his father Eugene in a car accident when Eugene was only 34 and Lance was 12. This ended the happy family farm era, and Lance went to live with his grandmother in Swift Current. Lance had good memories of living with his grandmother Wellsch and of spending time at her cabin with family and friends, but these were also difficult times.
Lance moved to Saskatoon after High School to attend the University of Saskatchewan. While in University he worked at the Esso on Idylwyld as a gas jockey, and met a nice waitress named Sandra who worked at the adjoining Voyageur restaurant. Lance convocated University in 1980 with a Bachelor of Education and became a teacher for many years.
Lance and Sandra were married in 1978, and soon welcomed Brent Scott in 1981, Erica Nicole in 1983, and Vanessa Renee in 1988. Lance’s children have very fond memories of their childhood with their father- he was a really good Dad; very fun, present, compassionate, and kind.
Lance split his time between the family home in Saskatoon and in the many Indigenous communities where he taught. Lance enjoyed his time in these communities and often told stories of his relationships with his students and broader community, which included students coming to his house to just hang out and go fishing.
Tragedy was rife in Lance’s life. In addition to losing his father, at the age of 26 he lost his youngest brother Scott, who was 17 at the time, in a tragic drowning accident. His mother was a nurse and suffered from diabetes for many years, and she also passed away soon after on her 50th birthday. Lance dearly loved his mother Corinne.
It would be a disservice to his legacy to ignore that the tragedy and hard times Lance endured during his formative years led him to develop what is now termed as bipolar disorder, a disease he struggled to manage for much of his adult life. Mental health was not well understood medically, nor socially acknowledged and even considered taboo during Lance’s time, and unfortunately he was collateral damage as a result of this reality. Many relationships were strained and ruined from Lance’s disease, including with his own brothers and his wife. He did the best he could, and that is the legacy his children and those who knew him are going to remember. Dealing with a parent with mental illness is incredibly difficult, especially as you grow up and move through it, but grace and empathy must also be given to those suffering from mental illness and Lance’s loved ones know that he did the best he could with the hand he was dealt.
Lance had quite a few health scares throughout his life, including miraculously surviving sepsis and a long hospital stay in 2017—we know now that this was to bring us all back together for his final years. Soon after his recovery from that near death experience, it was discovered that Lance had myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), and he spent the last few years of his life navigating and fighting through that disease.
Covid made it difficult to do hospital visits and see his children as Lance relocated to Calgary after his sepsis ordeal. Lance’s many doctors were working hard to ensure he would be able to make it to his daughter Vanessa’s upcoming wedding this August.
Lance died peacefully with his three loving children and his current partner, Joan Hauck, by his bedside, telling him he was loved and that it would be okay. We are at peace knowing there is no suffering or dread, and that wherever he is he is with those he lost too early in life.
In Lance’s honor if you are reading this and are touched, please donate to and advocate for mental health in our society. There are so few resources and places for (especially) adult men struggling with mental illness.
Lance’s family is enormously grateful for the incredible staff at the Foothills Medical Centre in Calgary, including his ICU team; Dr. Parhar, his nurses Marcella, Kate, and Tyrell; Dr Jenkins and his oncology team; and his hematology team at the hospital, some of whose names we don’t know, but are very grateful for.
Until we meet again, we love you.
To view and share photos, condolences and stories of Lance please visit www.choicememorial.com. Arrangements entrusted to the care of Choice Memorial Cremation & Funeral Services (403) 277-7343.
March 23rd, 1953 - May 12th, 2023
Lance Craig Wellsch was born in Swift Current and was the oldest of four sons. He grew up in Stewart Valley, a small farming area just outside of Swift Current and the Saskatchewan mecca where the “Wellsch’s” originate. Lance had fond memories of growing up on the family farm; his dad teaching him how to drive their truck at a very young age, his childhood dog Blaze, and even a special family cow. Lance was very close with his brothers, parents, and grandparents growing up. He unfortunately lost his father Eugene in a car accident when Eugene was only 34 and Lance was 12. This ended the happy family farm era, and Lance went to live with his grandmother in Swift Current. Lance had good memories of living with his grandmother Wellsch and of spending time at her cabin with family and friends, but these were also difficult times.
Lance moved to Saskatoon after High School to attend the University of Saskatchewan. While in University he worked at the Esso on Idylwyld as a gas jockey, and met a nice waitress named Sandra who worked at the adjoining Voyageur restaurant. Lance convocated University in 1980 with a Bachelor of Education and became a teacher for many years.
Lance and Sandra were married in 1978, and soon welcomed Brent Scott in 1981, Erica Nicole in 1983, and Vanessa Renee in 1988. Lance’s children have very fond memories of their childhood with their father- he was a really good Dad; very fun, present, compassionate, and kind.
Lance split his time between the family home in Saskatoon and in the many Indigenous communities where he taught. Lance enjoyed his time in these communities and often told stories of his relationships with his students and broader community, which included students coming to his house to just hang out and go fishing.
Tragedy was rife in Lance’s life. In addition to losing his father, at the age of 26 he lost his youngest brother Scott, who was 17 at the time, in a tragic drowning accident. His mother was a nurse and suffered from diabetes for many years, and she also passed away soon after on her 50th birthday. Lance dearly loved his mother Corinne.
It would be a disservice to his legacy to ignore that the tragedy and hard times Lance endured during his formative years led him to develop what is now termed as bipolar disorder, a disease he struggled to manage for much of his adult life. Mental health was not well understood medically, nor socially acknowledged and even considered taboo during Lance’s time, and unfortunately he was collateral damage as a result of this reality. Many relationships were strained and ruined from Lance’s disease, including with his own brothers and his wife. He did the best he could, and that is the legacy his children and those who knew him are going to remember. Dealing with a parent with mental illness is incredibly difficult, especially as you grow up and move through it, but grace and empathy must also be given to those suffering from mental illness and Lance’s loved ones know that he did the best he could with the hand he was dealt.
Lance had quite a few health scares throughout his life, including miraculously surviving sepsis and a long hospital stay in 2017—we know now that this was to bring us all back together for his final years. Soon after his recovery from that near death experience, it was discovered that Lance had myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), and he spent the last few years of his life navigating and fighting through that disease.
Covid made it difficult to do hospital visits and see his children as Lance relocated to Calgary after his sepsis ordeal. Lance’s many doctors were working hard to ensure he would be able to make it to his daughter Vanessa’s upcoming wedding this August.
Lance died peacefully with his three loving children and his current partner, Joan Hauck, by his bedside, telling him he was loved and that it would be okay. We are at peace knowing there is no suffering or dread, and that wherever he is he is with those he lost too early in life.
In Lance’s honor if you are reading this and are touched, please donate to and advocate for mental health in our society. There are so few resources and places for (especially) adult men struggling with mental illness.
Lance’s family is enormously grateful for the incredible staff at the Foothills Medical Centre in Calgary, including his ICU team; Dr. Parhar, his nurses Marcella, Kate, and Tyrell; Dr Jenkins and his oncology team; and his hematology team at the hospital, some of whose names we don’t know, but are very grateful for.
Until we meet again, we love you.
To view and share photos, condolences and stories of Lance please visit www.choicememorial.com. Arrangements entrusted to the care of Choice Memorial Cremation & Funeral Services (403) 277-7343.