Obituary of Roy Alfred Biensch

April 11, 1931 – Lashburn, Saskatchewan

November 21, 2024 – Airdrie, Alberta

Roy Biensch passed away at Bethany Care Center in Airdrie, AB on Thursday, November 21, 2024, at the age of 93 years.

Roy was born in Lashburn, SK on April 11, 1931, to Gottlieb and Gretchen Biensch. His early years were spent at Happy Valley Ranch near Marsden, SK, the 1910 homestead of his father. Roy grew up with two sisters and four brothers, all of whom were very active in baseball and hockey.

Roy married Doreen “Joan” Biensch (née Welsh) in 1954. They started a family at Happy Valley and had four children: Debra, Randal, Catharine, and Tammy. Raising cattle became their focus, and eventually, they moved to their own place, Rainbow Ranch.

Roy and his brothers started importing Charolais cattle from France in the 1960s. This required many trips to France and other parts of Europe, and he often brought Joan and other family members with him. He helped found the Canadian and Saskatchewan Charolais Associations and was on these boards for many years.

In 1971 Roy was visiting fellow cattlemen in Colorado when he was asked to attend a Full Gospel Businessman’s Fellowship International meeting. It was there that he fully committed his life to serving the Lord. After that, he became involved in the local church and was always eager to share his faith with others.

Always the adventurer, Roy turned his ranching focus to elk in the ’90s and eventually moved off the ranch to Calgary in 2004. In 2011 the Biensch Brothers were inducted into the Saskatchewan Baseball Hall of Fame in the family category. A proud moment for the five “Boys.”

Roy’s favourite sayings were, “I’m Only Halfway There,” and “You Have to Know Where You Are Going.”

He will be most remembered for his positive outlook on life, his entrepreneurial spirit, promoting healthy living, coaching his children’s teams (hockey/baseball/softball), his care and love for those in his community who needed help, his ice blue eyes, and most of all his amazing hugs and smile!

Roy is survived by his son Randy Biensch of Regina, SK, and daughters, Catharine Zimmerman (Thomas) of Woodstock, ON, and Tammy Masse (Tim) of Rocky View County, AB, as well as eleven grandchildren and eighteen great-grandchildren.

Roy was predeceased by his wife, Joan Biensch, daughter Debra Peregrym, son-in-law Dwain Peregrym, grandson Rick Biensch, daughter-in-law Lois Peyson Biensch, sisters, Elsie Hammond and Catharine Scott, and brothers, John, George, Harold, and Bob.

If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Bethany Care Foundation, #1001 – 17^th Street N.W., Calgary, AB T2N 2E5 Telephone: (403) 210-4600, email: bcf@bethanycare.com.

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Roy’s family here.

In living memory of Roy Biensch, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Airdrie, 300 Towerlane Drive, Airdrie, AB T4B 3L8, Telephone: 403-948-1100.