Stella Myrtle (Hardy) Prete

Stella was born on the family farm near Lac Vert, SK to Steve and Frances Hardy. She took her early schooling in a one-room schoolhouse and her high school years in Lac Vert. She took a short teaching course at normal school and accepted a position teaching Grades 1 to 8 at Virgil School. While teaching, Stella boarded at Jim and Justina Prete’s. There she met the love of her life, Alvin. Romantic sparks flew immediately and the soulmates were married Nov. 14th, 1951.

Three daughters were born to this union: Maxine in 1952, Beth in 1955, and Pauline in 1959. The joy in Stella’s life was always her family which included her daughters and special sons-in-law, 6 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. She loved her siblings and had a very special bond with her identical twin, Nellie McLaren.

Stella was an extremely hardworking farm wife who took pride in working alongside her husband. She spent many hours milking cows, feeding pigs and chickens, mending fence, baling hay, cutting and hauling the winter’s wood supply, and feeding anyone who ever came to her door. She tended a large garden and raspberry patch and spent long evenings canning, freezing and doing household chores after the outdoor chores were completed, all while raising their three daughters. Stella loved to read her bible daily, along with many books and health articles; to embroider; and to play cards, golf, and bowl; but, above all else, dancing with “her man” was what she enjoyed the most.

The arrival of each grandchild and great-grandchild brought joy. They all loved to visit, and Grandma always spoiled them with her love and fabulous cooking and baking. Grandma’s apple pie, homemade bread and buns, and brown sugar icing would have won any contest; and each grandchild was fed their favourite if Grandma knew they were coming. Her family was not the only ones to enjoy the “corner cafe” as some called it. If you could drop in at Stella’s, you were always fed something that you wanted to come back for, and they did. It was always a treat to put your feet under Stella’s table.

Stella was always positive, never complaining. She was kind, a loyal friend, and always wore a beautiful smile. She will be so missed. Stella’s final years were spent at Quill Plains Centennial Lodge in Watson, SK, where she received the most loving, incredible care for which her family is filled with gratitude.

Stella will be lovingly remembered by the family that she nurtured: daughter Maxine Cross, granddaughter Nicole Cross and great-grandson Kewin Sommerfeld, granddaughter Jynell Cross (Adam) and great-granddaughters Varenna and Linnaea Stachelek; daughter Beth (Terry) Newberry, grandson Darren (Lorie) Newberry and great-granddaughters Katie and Dayna Newberry, granddaughter Staci Heinbigner and great-grandsons Scott and Levi Heinbigner; and daughter Pauline (Allan) Holtvogt, grandson Brett Holtvogt, granddaughter Holly (Cal) Holfeld and great-granddaughters Naomi and Zoey Holfeld and great-grandson Jayce Holfeld.

Stella is also survived by her sisters Edna Stewart, Nellie McLaren and Dorothea (Toni) Woolsey, sisters-in-law Marion Mullen, Luella Haddon, Marg Quaroni, Loretta DeCoteau, Inie (George) Gratton and numerous extended family members.

Stella was predeceased by her husband of 66 years Alvin, her parents Steve and Frances, her brothers Ken and Bill, 2 infant siblings, and son-in-law John Cross. She was also predeceased by 8 brothers-in-law, 3 sisters-in-law and several nephews.

The Funeral Service for Stella was held on Saturday, February 10, 2024 at 1:30 p.m. from Pleasantdale Community Hall. Interment will take place at a later date in Pleasantdale Cemetery. Memorial donations in Stella’s memory may be made to Quill Plains Healthcare Foundation (Box 277, Watson, SK, S0K 4V0) or Pleasantdale Cemetery (cheques payable to RM of Pleasantdale, Box 70, Naicam, SK, S0K 2Z0). Funeral arrangements are entrusted to MALINOSKI & DANYLUIK FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORIUM, Humboldt, 306-682-1622.