Fritz Stuart, youngest of four children, was born to Samuel and Theckla Stevenson on January 17, 1926.  He was better known as Stuart, Stu or Ollie. 

Stuart spent his early days on the farm 9 miles south west of Stockholm, he attended Freedhome School and attained a Grade 10 education.

He took over the farm when his older brother Alex went off to the War in 1939.  He was only 13 years old and it is said he sometimes cried in frustration because he was not big enough to pull the canvas tight enough on the binder.

In 1950 he married the love of his life, Darlene.  Their first child Wendy was born in 1951 with second daughter Lois coming in 1954.  This little family of four lived, loved, worked and played on the farm until  1965 when they sold the livestock and moved into  Stockholm.  The move was made into an 8’ x 35’ trailer ( 3 feet of that was hitch).  You can imagine the surprise when Stu and Darlene found out they were going to be parents once again.  Dean Stuart made his appearance in August of 1966.

In addition to the family mentioned above, he was blessed with his Grandchildren Kelli Harris, Karla Watson (James),  Mitchell Cowan,   Shyla Masse (Ronan) and Ivy Stevenson

And his Great Grandchildren

Leighton Harris, Meagan Sidor-Masse, Blade Masse, Carson Masse,   Erika Watson, and Willem Watson

Each and every one of them has experienced his “special knee” and has been lulled to sleep in his warm embrace.

Stuart was a man of many talents.  In addition to farming, he was the rural telephone line man for Stockholm and Dubuc; he had a gravel pit on the farm and through the years     acquired some pretty impressive equipment (big boy toys).  He drove a school bus route, was the maintenance man at the local skating rink and for some years was the manager of the Stockholm Co-op.  He was also a great hunter and provided venison and ducks to feed the family.  He also served two terms as a Councillor for the RM of Fertile Belt.

Life was not all work.  Stuart had many and varied interests.  He was a fantastic baseball player and pitched for the Freedhome team for many years.  Pitching horseshoes was     another passion.  He loved dancing and was the guy in the hall every woman wanted to partner with for an old time waltz or a polka.  He could play any instrument you put in front of him …… the guitar, banjo, accordion, harmonica and the violin to name a few.  His voice could also add a sweet harmony to any song.

When Stu and Darlene celebrated their 25th Anniversary, he surprised Dee Dee with a trip to California.  This sparked a love of travelling and later, trips to Poland, Sweden, China,  Australia, Hawaii and Mexico, to name a few, followed. 

He loved puzzles and tricks …… I am sure a few will remember his whoop stick, rabbit horn and being pinched and punched on the 1st and last day of each month.

While this has told you what he did, it does not adequately tell you who he was.  To his friends and neighbours he was helpful, kind and giving. 

To his family he was the best of the best.  A soft, loving, gentle man who will be missed beyond words. 

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