Stella Kjellaug Butler November 3, 1916 - January 21, 2013 Stella was born on November 3, 1916 to Torkil and Elise Erickson. She spent a happy childhood on the farm her parents homesteaded near Ratcliffe, Sask. Her folks were from Norway, so they observed many Scandinavian customs and spoke Norwegian. They had no electricity or running water, and no cars until they acquired a Model T in 1926. She attended the rural one-room school of Round Grove for Grades 1- 8, then took Grades 9, 10 and 11 by correspondence courses. The "30s were the Depression Years with drought, grasshoppers, dust storms and hard times financially. They relied on farm produce, relief cheques, and gift shipments of food and used clothing from Ontario. However, in their sociable community they had ball games, house parties and school dances with Stella's father playing the accordion. She went to Lyndale School in Oungre for Grade 12 where she met Roy, her husband-to-be. Attending Regina Normal School in 1939, Stella then taught in one-room schools near Beaubier and Tribune. World War II escalated after the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbour, so wedding plans were sped up; Stella and Roy were married in December 1941. Roy was called into service the next April; Stella accompanied him while he trained at Brockville and Camp Borden. When Roy was overseas, she taught at the same school she had attended as a child. Upon Roy's return, they farmed south of Oungre. They renovated an old house, planted trees, broke up land, raised Hereford cattle and had three daughters - Arlette, Joyce and Carol. They even got electricity in 1956! The couple moved to Estevan in 1958 where Stella enjoyed the camaraderie of square dancing, Lions and her various volunteer positions. Stella and Roy made memorable trips to International Lions' Conventions in San Francisco, Miami, Mexico City and Tokyo as well as to Europe to visit relatives in Norway and to see the family Roy was billeted with during the war in Belgium. Stella took summer classes and returned to teaching, spending a year at Scotsburn School and 11 years at Hillside School. After retirement, they spent many winters in Mesa, Arizona. Stella and Roy celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in December 2001. Roy passed away suddenly the following February. Stella stayed in her home until March 2003, then moved to Trinity Tower where she enjoyed the company of friends and the activities. Realizing she needed more care, she moved to Hill View Manor in November 2008. She came to feel that this was her new home, again relishing the friendship of fellow residents and staff. In September 2012, she suffered a stroke, necessitating two months in St. Joseph's Hospital. After a move to Estevan Regional Nursing Home, she left this world on January 21, 2013. We have so many special memories of Mom. She was always keenly interested in all of us, and never failed to make any visitor feel special and so welcome. An unkind word was never spoken against anyone; she always saw the best in everyone. An avid reader, she also was interested in current affairs, genealogy, history, royalty and Jeopardy (she knew answers contestants did not). She faithfully kept diaries and photo albums and was a great correspondent. She played the piano when called upon, even into her 90's. Her needlework skills were impressive, and she was the best spell checker ever. With the wisdom of 96 years, she taught us so much. Our lives will continue to be guided by her wonderful example, and she will be in our hearts forever. She was predeceased by her husband, Roy; her parents, Torkil and Elise Erickson; and her brother-in-law, Lawrence Bloor. She is survived by three daughters: Arlette (Dave) Spencer of Medicine Hat, Alta. (grandchildren Tanya (Andrew Eisenhawer) with great-grandson Armin, and Nicole); Joyce (Bud) Godin of Saskatoon, Sask. (granddaughter Michyla (Brett) Kielo with great-grandchildren Alyssa, Evan and Riley); Carol (Tim) Walliser of Estevan, Sask. (grandchildren Natalie (Richard Carnegie), and Geoffrey (Desiree Kreics) and great-grandchildren Bennett and Mariah). In addition, she is survived by her sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, and their families: Phyllis Bloor, Audrey and Cecil Parks, and Rodney and Delores Butler, as well as paternal cousins Lea Rumball and Laverne Lotten, and their families. There are also relatives in Norway. A memorial service for Stella was held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, January 25, 2013, from St. Paul's United Church, Estevan with Sandy Dalziel officiating. A private family interment took place at Green Acres Memorial Gardens, Weyburn, Saskatchewan. If friends so desire, donations can be made to the Christian Children's Fund of Canada or the New Estevan Regional Nursing Home in memory of Stella. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Hall Funeral Services, Estevan.
