With sadness & family by his side our Dad, Einar Baldur Stefanson passed away at the age of 89 in the Arborg & District Health Centre. Dad was predeceased by his wife Mabel Kathleen Stefanson (nee Foster), infant son Einar Stefanson, his parents Gudjon & Gudrun Stefanson, one brother Thorarinn (Anne)Stefanson, one sister Gudrun Stefanson, 2 brother in laws, Louis Benson & Halli Johnson, Mable's parents Jessie & Art Foster, Mabel's sisters Edith (Kris) Winthers, Doris Hallet, Phyliss (Kris) Sigvaldason, Marguerite (Steinthor)Holm, Mabel's brothers Harold Bud (Addie) Foster, Thomas (Ellen) Foster, Ray (Veronica )Foster & Mabel’s Brother in law Gunnar Sigurdson.
Dad leaves his daughter Mavis (Raymond) Weik, his son Steven (Marianne) Stefanson, 6 grandchildren Margo Weik (Jarek Babiarz), Terrell (Natasha)Weik, Lindley Weik, Bryceson Weik (Michelle Dandeneau),Keegan Stefanson, Carissa Stefanson. 3 great grandchildren, Jayla, Huxley & Freya Weik. 2 sisters Jonina Benson & Anna Johnson, Mabel's sister Monica Sigurdson, numerous nieces & nephews.
Baldur was born on his parents homestead in Vidir. As a young man he worked in the bush cutting cord wood. When he learned to drive a truck he started hauling gravel & then traveled to Saskatchewan to work on road construction. He also traveled to BC & stayed with family while working. He achieved his goal of taking over the family farm. Our parents married on June 3, 1957 & raised their family on the homestead. Dad believed that if a child was hanging around they weren't in the way, they simply wanted to help and learn what he wanted to teach them. We along with many nieces, nephews and others benefited from his teachings. Dad was an inventor; often having to make tools to fix machines on the farm. The travel bug was always there, often incorporating a camping trip into it. We traveled to BC and Ontario with our parents. Dads labor of love was converting an old school bus into a camper.
Oh how he loved to make people laugh, keeping a joke tucked away to bring out the laughter.
When the grandchildren arrived Afi was thrilled and proud. He enjoyed spending as much time as he could with them, whether it was car scouting, dirt bike shopping taking them to their hockey games, watching then dance, teaching them how to drive the combine or how to weld or sharing an imaginary wiener roast in the middle of the workshop. Dad loved to cook, creating a favourite dish for the grandchildren; which they named the good stuff. When his great grandchildren arrived he was delighted and had the biggest smile when Jayla, Huxley or Freya were placed in his arms.
We will always cherish the wonderful memories of our Dad and Afi.
As per his wishes cremation has taken place and a private family memorial service will take place with interment at a later date.