Stewart Fraser Rimbey, Alberta Obituary

Stewart Fraser

<p>With heavy hearts, the family of Charles Stewart Fraser announce his passing on May 14, 2022, at the age of 87 years in Lacombe, Alberta, with his family by his bedside.</p> <p>Stewart, only son to Charles Edward Stewart Fraser and Mary Neufeld, was born in Saskatoon, SK on June 30, 1934. Dad was never short of stories (and his stories were rarely short); he retold stories of father&rsquo;s military service in Europe during WWI, and shared fond memories of his childhood in Saskatoon and visiting his Neufeld cousins on their farm near Warman, Saskatchewan, whom he came to regard as siblings. As he became a young man, &ldquo;Little Stew&rsquo;s&rdquo; towering height over his father &ldquo;Big Stew&rdquo; made reconsideration of their nicknames necessary.</p> <p>After completing high school, Stewart received a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Saskatchewan, followed by studies at theological college. He spent time travelling to Vancouver where he worked a variety of jobs before returning to Saskatchewan and becoming a minister serving the rural communities around Saskatoon. He married his first wife, Norma, on August 9, 1958, and together had two sons, James Stewart (Francine) and Jeffrey Scott; however, their marriage did not last.</p> <p>Dad decided his dance moves needed fine-tuning, and he signed up for lessons where he met the love of his life, Florence Arlene Buschert. He swept her off her feet and the two were married on June 16, 1973. They settled in Calgary, Alberta and two more sons joined the Fraser clan, Earl Robert David (Kim) and Gregory John Charles (Juliette).</p> <p>Stewart returned to his prairie roots to become an Accountant at the Albert Wheat Pool, working there until his first attempt at retirement. Not one to remain idle for long, he soon returned to the workforce doing bookkeeping at Kelsey&rsquo;s restaurant in Eau Claire Market, personal income taxes with H&amp;R Block, and eventually to working in front-of-house at Trinity Lodge and Staywell Manor before his second and final retirement in 2011.</p> <p>He was a voracious reader, and always had a section of the newspaper or a copy of Macleans or The Economist magazine by his chair to read while listening to classical music. Ever the one for routine, he lovingly enforced a strict coffee-time schedule on family and guests alike, which almost always included cookies.</p> <p>Stewart is predeceased by his parents, his sister-in-law Linda (Merle) Buschert, brother-in-law Don (Elaine) Gage and good life-long friend Jack Myles. He is survived by his loving wife, Florence, his four sons and his grandchildren, Julien (Vivien), Nicholas, Rebecca (Brad), Amanda (Jamie), Bryan, Charlie, Finley and Nyla and great-grandchildren Channel, Christiano, Jaxson, and Victor.</p> <p>Stewart&rsquo;s family and loved ones extend a special thanks to Dr. Lichtenstein and the wonderful nursing and support staff at the Lacombe Hospital who provided exceptional compassionate care for him in his final days.</p> <p>Extended family and friends are welcome to gather at Wilson&rsquo;s Funeral Chapel, 6120 Hwy 2A, Lacombe on Friday, May 27, 2022 at 3:00 pm for a celebration of life.</p> <p>In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made directly to the Canadian Lung Association at https:<a href="//www.lung.ca/get-involved/donate/make-general-donation/online-donate-form.">//www.lung.ca/get-involved/donate/make-general-donation/online-donate-form.</a></p>
June 30, 1934 - May 14, 202206/30/193405/14/2022
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Obituary

With heavy hearts, the family of Charles Stewart Fraser announce his passing on May 14, 2022, at the age of 87 years in Lacombe, Alberta, with his family by his bedside.

Stewart, only son to Charles Edward Stewart Fraser and Mary Neufeld, was born in Saskatoon, SK on June 30, 1934. Dad was never short of stories (and his stories were rarely short); he retold stories of father’s military service in Europe during WWI, and shared fond memories of his childhood in Saskatoon and visiting his Neufeld cousins on their farm near Warman, Saskatchewan, whom he came to regard as siblings. As he became a young man, “Little Stew’s” towering height over his father “Big Stew” made reconsideration of their nicknames necessary.

After completing high school, Stewart received a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Saskatchewan, followed by studies at theological college. He spent time travelling to Vancouver where he worked a variety of jobs before returning to Saskatchewan and becoming a minister serving the rural communities around Saskatoon. He married his first wife, Norma, on August 9, 1958, and together had two sons, James Stewart (Francine) and Jeffrey Scott; however, their marriage did not last.

Dad decided his dance moves needed fine-tuning, and he signed up for lessons where he met the love of his life, Florence Arlene Buschert. He swept her off her feet and the two were married on June 16, 1973. They settled in Calgary, Alberta and two more sons joined the Fraser clan, Earl Robert David (Kim) and Gregory John Charles (Juliette).

Stewart returned to his prairie roots to become an Accountant at the Albert Wheat Pool, working there until his first attempt at retirement. Not one to remain idle for long, he soon returned to the workforce doing bookkeeping at Kelsey’s restaurant in Eau Claire Market, personal income taxes with H&R Block, and eventually to working in front-of-house at Trinity Lodge and Staywell Manor before his second and final retirement in 2011.

He was a voracious reader, and always had a section of the newspaper or a copy of Macleans or The Economist magazine by his chair to read while listening to classical music. Ever the one for routine, he lovingly enforced a strict coffee-time schedule on family and guests alike, which almost always included cookies.

Stewart is predeceased by his parents, his sister-in-law Linda (Merle) Buschert, brother-in-law Don (Elaine) Gage and good life-long friend Jack Myles. He is survived by his loving wife, Florence, his four sons and his grandchildren, Julien (Vivien), Nicholas, Rebecca (Brad), Amanda (Jamie), Bryan, Charlie, Finley and Nyla and great-grandchildren Channel, Christiano, Jaxson, and Victor.

Stewart’s family and loved ones extend a special thanks to Dr. Lichtenstein and the wonderful nursing and support staff at the Lacombe Hospital who provided exceptional compassionate care for him in his final days.

Extended family and friends are welcome to gather at Wilson’s Funeral Chapel, 6120 Hwy 2A, Lacombe on Friday, May 27, 2022 at 3:00 pm for a celebration of life.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made directly to the Canadian Lung Association at https://www.lung.ca/get-involved/donate/make-general-donation/online-donate-form.

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