Tribute

Bernice Stuckel (nee Loehr), beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully in Oliver BC, on June 12, 2024. She was 95 years old, the last surviving member of her siblings. Bernice was born on May 2, 1929, to Arnold and Agnes Loehr, the youngest of 10 children. She was born in Humboldt, Sask., and grew up on the family farm south of Muenster, Sask. She attended St. Francis School located a short distance from their farm. It was the ‘30s so times were hard, but still there were always plenty of fond memories to share of her time growing up. When Mom was 15 she attended a cousin’s wedding dance in Muenster where she met the love of her life, Daniel Stuckel. Their courtship began and it was during that time that in 1948 mom went to work as a nurses’ assistant at the TB Sanitorium in Saskatoon.  She later returned home and on June 12, 1950, Mom and Dad were married at St. Peter’s Cathedral in Muenster. They began their married life living in Wolverine, Sask., moving to Quinton a short time later and then to Humboldt in 1953. Bernice and Dan had six children, 11 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren: Lynn (Elwood) Hoffman of Oliver, BC and family, Corey (Kasie) Hoffman and family Quinn and Sara, Karen (Rod) Sieker and family Jordyn and Evan, Terry (Kathy) Hoffman and family Peyton and Noah;  Larry Stuckel of Prince George, BC and family Justin (Olivia) Perrin and family Hunter, Ryan (Kim) Stuckel; Faye (Seann) Tanner of East Wenatchee, WA and family Leah (Jen) Tanner and family Sean and Juliet, Calen (Haeley) Tanner and family Ryley and Powell; Adele (Frank) Germann of Millet, AB and family Jaclyn (Terence) Smith and family Oliver, and Kyle (Stephanie) Cookson and family Jaxon; Gail (Lloyd) Kleefeld of Muenster, SK and family Sarah (Bryce) Kleefeld; and Sherry Chambers of Lethbridge, AB and family Madisyn (Taylor) Wolstenholme and family Ophelia and George. She is survived by sister-in-law Joyce (Wayne) McLeod, and brother-in-law Dick Stuckel. Mom was predeceased by her husband Dan, son-in-law Timothy Chambers, parents Arnold and Agnes (nee Heinen) Loehr, siblings: Tillie (Nick) Muench, Irene Loehr, Hilda (Karl) Menz, Elmer (Mary) (Dorothy) Loehr, Irwin (Dora) Loehr, Clarence (Dorothy) Loehr, Edwin (Ann) Loehr, Laura (Bill) Ulsifer and Daniel (Stella) Loehr; in-laws: Jacob (Mary nee Schreiner) (Irene) Stuckel, Verle (Olga) Stuckel, Ron Stuckel, Phyllis Smith and Chella Stuckel. Mom was a true example of unconditional love. For our entire lives, from childhood to a few short weeks ago, she was always there for us with love and support and to offer her advice (she seemed to have a knack of knowing if we were actually looking for that advice). We were truly blessed as the value of family was instilled into each of us and continues to shine through in all the grandchildren and great-grandchildren as well.  Mom was a hard worker and took great pride in her family and home. She was a very good cook so we grew up enjoying delicious meals complete with all our favourite comfort foods. Soup noodles, biscuits, dumplings, pull taffy, apple fritters, all made from scratch, all incredibly delicious. Mom loved having company. It began with the many relative gatherings while we were growing up and continued on during the time while most of us were living close-by, when we as a family would gather for the afternoon and supper almost every Sunday at Mom and Dad’s. We all remember their team effort that resulted in the most amazing bbq’d chicken any of us have eaten to this day. Mom always seemed to take it all in stride, whether home meant Humboldt, Medicine Hat, Red Deer or St. Albert.  In 1992 Mom and Dad began their dream retirement, moving to Cherry Grove in Oliver. Mom enjoyed golfing, gardening in earlier years, music, sing-a-longs, and times when family and friends would visit. Mom loved the game of Bump. We all wanted to be her partner because she always seemed to be the first one to have all her pegs home safe, as was the case in her final game played just days before her passing.  As they entered a new stage in life, in 2016 Mom and Dad made the decision to move to Sunshine Ridge in Osoyoos, BC. There they made many new friends and enjoyed their time together up until Dad’s passing in February 2020. The next few years were difficult for Mom. The heartache of losing Dad was to be compounded due to circumstances brought about by the pandemic. Mom remained strong, but the isolation and inability to remain active were difficult. Visits were not possible for a long period of time and virtual family chats became our lifeline with Mom. We will remain forever grateful to the staff and special residents at Sunshine Ridge for all their love, care and support for Mom.  In December of 2023, Mom was happy to move back home to Oliver where she resided at Sunnybank Retirement Centre until her passing. We want to thank the staff at Sunnybank for all they did for Mom during her time there. We will forever hold a special place in our hearts for your compassion and care for Mom during her final journey. Although health and physical challenges took their toll, she remained very sharp and quick-witted, sharing stories in detail up until her last few days. As fate would have it, in the late hours of June 12 Dad decided he was not spending their 74^th wedding anniversary alone so he came to pick Mom up at 11:15 that night. We all know without a doubt that it was their happiest anniversary ever.

A private family graveside service will be held on July 22, 2024, in Oliver, BC, with Fr. Peter Tompkins officiating. Mom will be laid to rest next to Dad at Oliver Cemetery.