It is with heavy hearts and deep love that the family of Mervin Prediger announces his passing on June 16, 2026, at the age of 86. 

Merv was born on October 2, 1939, in Macklin, Saskatchewan, the fifth and middle child among nine siblings. As the story goes, he arrived after Grandma Dora and Grandpa John spent an evening dancing the polka at the Macklin Hall. Maybe that’s why he loved music so much. A singer from an early age, he sang at many weddings and performed in musicals.

Dad had many fond memories of childhood in Macklin, where he received his elementary education. The Prediger family moved to Saskatoon in 1953, and he graduated from St. Paul’s Boys High School in 1957, then spent a year at St. Pius X Seminary. Dad’s grandmother was ecstatic to think that one of her grandsons would become a priest, but the priesthood was not for him, though he appreciated the things he learned in seminary all his life.

In the summer of 1958, Dad began a 16-year career with the Royal Bank of Canada, starting in Saskatoon and later being transferred to branches around Saskatchewan: Carrot River, Bruno, Regina, Watrous, Saskatoon, Neudorf and Plenty. Some of these transfers coincided with him chasing one Miss Hildegarde Stang as she practiced nursing in various small communities. As Dad wrote in a brief memoir, “Lots of miles and late nights resulted from this magnificent chase.”

In August of 1964, Dad and Mom were married in Macklin. They had three daughters, Maria, Lynnell and Jeanine, all born in different Saskatchewan towns as the family moved from place to place because of Dad’s job as bank manager.

In the fall of 1974, Dad resigned from the Royal Bank and moved his family to Edmonton to take up a partnership in Universal Church Supplies Ltd. The family rented a house that they were later able to purchase, and it became “home” for 49 years. 

Dad and Mom were excellent partners in managing the store and became sole owners 6 years later. Dad was a travelling salesman at times, packing the van and delivering church supplies to priests in rural parishes. The business moved and expanded several times under their watch, opening a second Edmonton location. He also helped his brother Lefty to establish a similar store in Calgary. In 1988 Mom and Dad sold the Edmonton stores and Dad retired.

Dad’s relatively early retirement meant he was available to family and friends. His ability to fix almost anything, learned from his father, was passed on to his daughters. He undertook many projects with his legendary skills. Don’t look too closely, you may find a piece of a corn flakes box leveling a window seat.

Dad participated in many volunteer activities. including the Knights of Columbus, Cursillo, and parish council. He served on boards of directors for a seniors’ apartment complex and L’Arche Edmonton. In April of 2003, Alberta’s Lieutenant Governor, Lois Hole. presented Dad with the Queen’s Jubilee Medal for community service.

Because of Dad’s love for music, he compiled a songbook with a bank gestetner machine in 1968 and hosted many evenings of song with family and friends. “Sing songs” have marked many special occasions, and that tradition will certainly continue through Dad’s grandkids and their friends. He even convinced his kids and grandkids to get involved in music ministry at Resurrection Parish for about 16 years. 

Dad and Mom enjoyed travelling together, crossing oceans several times, and camping across Canada. In 2011, they spent Canada Day in Ottawa with kids and grandkids, and in recent years, have enjoyed many travels with their family. Radium Hot Springs was our family’s go-to vacation spot most years. One of Dad’s favourite places was the golf course at Spur Valley, not far from Radium, where he shot a hole in one! We enjoyed many family golf games with him on that gorgeous little course.

During his most recent illness, Dad was well cared for by the IMCU team at Grey Nun’s Hospital, Unit 41. Special thanks to Dr. Nabil Saieed and the many wonderful nurses who provided exceptional care. 

Dad was predeceased by his parents, John and Dora, brothers Harry, Louis, Lefty (Ed) and Vic, sister Johanna, and numerous other relatives. Remaining to treasure his memory are his wife, Hildegarde, daughters Maria (Lee), Lynnell, and Jeanine, and grandchildren Christina (Landon), Suzanna, and Jay, and many other relatives and friends.

Dad stood head and shoulders above most of the people we knew growing up, so we could always spot him in a crowd. His faith and strength made him someone people could depend on. He was a gentle giant, an avid reader, one who loved to sing and dance, to curl and golf, to play canasta or “crock of hooey” (cribbage), to throw his grandkids into soft piles of leaves or play “anti-i-over.” He loved his family and friends, and is deeply, deeply missed. We know, without a doubt, that he is with his God now.

Merv’s Celebration of Life will be held at Resurrection Catholic Church on Friday, June 26, 2026, at 11 a.m., with Fr. Jim Corrigan and Fr. Roger Niedzielski presiding. Inurnment will take place at 2 p.m. at Our Lady of Peace Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Bladder Cancer Canada or a charity of your choice.