Obituary of John Raymond Stieb

John Raymond Stieb January 14, 1938 - February 4, 2020 John Raymond Stieb, known to his brothers & sister as Johnny, was born January 14, 1938, the first child to Raymond & Helen Stieb. John attended Yankee Valley School. After completing grade 8 he started farming with his dad. In 1957 he bought the land he was born on from the Frank Hunefelt estate & In 1960 he bought 3 quarters from his grandparents John & Julia Kartes. On October 10, 1964, he married Joan Brown. John & Joan were blessed with three children: Cathy, Darryl, & Shelley. Besides farming, John & his brother Leo built & operated a sawmill. John loved the bush and would spend many hours amongst the trees. He enjoyed every part of the process from choosing the tree to the finished board. He built almost every structure that exists on the farm today, including a small elevator. John was truly a man of all trades. He was a mechanic, welder, plumber & electrician. He was also willing to help anyone who called for assistance. John had a very unique ability to detect water...witching. He drilled many a successful sand point based on that ability. John was a very community-minded individual. He was part of the Yankee Valley snowplow club & in 1968 was a member of a committee to organize the Brightholme Grazing Co-op. He was the secretary/treasurer of the co-op since the beginning until 1998. John was a great lover of sports- especially hockey. He was one of the hockey-playing, farm loving Stieb boys. John played a few years with the Leask Flyers & Shellbrook Elks. He went on to be involved in a lengthy coaching career for both minor & senior hockey in Leask. He really enjoyed coaching, the fellowship of the players, parents, fans & the multiple road trips. Also, during this time he spent some years on the “rink committee” & held numerous positions on the Leask Minor hockey board. He was a dedicated & active member of the Leask Lions club for 37 years, holding numerous executive positions, & participating in all functions & activities of the Lions club. John was Chairman of the Board of Wheatland Lodge during planning & construction until the building was completed (1985-1990). Also, in 1989 he received a Saskatchewan Volunteer recognition award, for all his community involvement. John & Joan moved to town in 2010. We wondered how the country boy would do in town. He transitioned well. He became a regular at coffee row in the mornings & would head out to the farm most afternoons. In 2012 John received the Family Farm Heritage Award for owning & operating the family farm for 100 years. Our dad was a true farmer. He farmed for over 60 years. He was truly committed & dedicated to whatever he took on. He laid a foundation of love & strong morals. He liked to feel busy & worthwhile. He knew he was very fortunate for the life he had. He was chopping wood regularly & filled his last wheelbarrow the day before he passed away. Our dad wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. He was happy. John is lovingly remembered by his wife, Joan; his children, Cathy (Dan) Nelson of Leask, SK and their family, Beth (Dylan) Schmidt and their children – Ethan, William & Reid; Gord Nelson; Darryl Stieb of Leask, SK; Shelley (Doug) Forbes of Battleford, SK and their family Dillon (Mikayla Detillieux) Forbes; Brooke Forbes; His siblings, Leo and Donna Stieb; Robert Stieb; Caroline and Myron Schmalz, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives, and many friends. John was predeceased by his parents, Raymond and Helen Stieb; his brother, Roy Stieb; his sisters-in-law, Opal Stieb and Vivian Stieb; his parents-in-law, Thomas and Pauline Brown; and his niece Teresa Klein (nee: Stieb). The Celebration of Life for John was held on Saturday, February 15, 2020, at 2:00 PM at the Leask Community Hall with Lorne Valuck officiating. Music was provided by Gerald Lanes. Readings were by Beth Nelson, Eric Schmalz, and Brooke Forbes. The eulogy was by his children Cathy, Darryl & Shelley. Urn bearers were Gordon Nelson & Dillon Forbes. Donations can be made in memory of John to the Wheatland Lodge Foundation (Box 130 Leask, SK S0J 1M0). Interment will be at a later date. Family and friends wishing to send online condolences are welcome to visit www.beaulacfuneralhome.com Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Beau “Lac” Funeral Home, Lynn Anderson, Tammy Smart – Funeral Director, Leask, SK 306-466-4822.