Obituary of Mina Katherine Stueck

After a wonderful long, healthy life, Mina passed away peacefully at the Balcarres Extendicare Home in Balcarres, Saskatchewan, on Thursday, March 21, 2019.

Mina was born, the eldest child of Langford and Nellie Armstrong in the Abernethy district, May 30, 1917. Mina would have celebrated her upcoming 102nd Birthday.

She was predeceased by her husband of 75 years, Edison Stueck in 2010.

Together they farmed and lived in the Abernethy community for over 75 years.

Mina is lovingly remembered by her three daughters and their families, Marlene Burton, Lenore (Peter) Hamers, and Carrol Davis; and grandma Stueck held a special place in the hearts of six grandchildren; and eleven great-grandchildren.

Over the years many Birthday and Anniversary Celebrations were enjoyed, bringing together, the families from near and far. She was a humble person, not comfortable being the center of attention, but somehow we managed to convince her it was just a family gathering, and not a party.    Mina was always our Queen Mina, as we felt with her English heritage and appearance, she resembled the Queen and was certainly in our eyes “Our Queen.”

Mina became a Saskatchewan Centenarian on May 30, 2017 and all the Family gathered for her Milestone.  She was particularly pleased to receive an elegant embossed greeting from her Look-A-Like, Queen Elizabeth 11.

Mina was an active member of Knox United Church and the Abernethy Seniors Association. She enjoyed her involvement in the Museum, and was known as the oldest Abernethy resident for many years. An elegant brocaded dress worn at her 25^th Wedding Anniversary is on display, along with an English childhood white coat she once wore.

She was well known for her lemon meringue pies prepared for many curling bonspiels or the summer Fair.  Her work ethics were certainly to be admired, as soon as her feet hit that cold wood floor in the farmhouse, she was focused on the many tasks at hand and never rested until her work was done.

She was an excellent cook, preserved fresh garden produce, home canned delicious chickens, grew beautiful begonias, hooked rugs and embroidered, kept an immaculate house and even drove a school bus. She never viewed her domestic self-taught skills as exceptional.

Mina was sad to leave her independent way of life in her Abernethy home at age 97, due to mobility issues.    She made the best of her situation, while making her new home, the Extendicare Home in Balcarres, where for the past six years, she has received compassionate care and embraced a new family.

She enjoyed the frequent visiting of Family and Community and insisted they sign her guest book.  She was always positive and upbeat, the weather always a topic of conversation. She enjoyed tending her plants, tidying up her room just so, displaying her beautiful greeting cards, determined to be independent until her very last days.

Her frail body was totally overwhelmed with her long life's experiences and she has earned her eternal rest. With grateful hearts we honour her life.

A Private Graveside Family Service in Abernethy will be held on Saturday May 18, 2019 with a Public Celebration of Life and Fellowship at the Abernethy Community Hall, Saturday, May 18, 2019 at 2:00 p.m.