STERNER:
The death of Mr. Joseph Sterner, 81 years, of Bethany Pioneer Village, Middle Lake and formerly of Lake Lenore, occurred on Sunday, April 7, 2013. Joe was born on March 6, 1932 at home on the farm in the St. James district to John and Katherine (nee Aschenbrenner) Sterner. He took all of his schooling at Leavenworth School and being the oldest boy in the family, also had many responsibilities on the farm. Joe worked at numerous jobs in his younger years, including logging in Manitoba, working at Quaker Oats Mill and rough necking on an oil rig. On October 18, 1955, Joe married Anne Stolte in St. James and they began their married life together, living in Lake Lenore. Joe began working as a truck driver and gravel-crusher operator for Kirsch Construction in Middle Lake and over the years worked his way up to a foreman. He remained with the company until his retirement in 2011. Both Joe and Anne enjoyed curling in their younger years and in later years, watching it on TV. He was an enthusiastic sports fan, attending games and cheering on many local teams in hockey, baseball and basketball; as well as the Humboldt Broncos and the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Right up to the present, he followed sports and could be found discussing them with others at Bethany. He was a member of St. Anthony's Knights of Columbus. Joe was never a person to sit still, he was always on the go, driving around and stopping to visit people everywhere he went. He had a love for good food and always appreciated a tasty meal and whoever had prepared it for him. Joe had a sharp memory, taking interest in others, including the staff at Bethany and asking about their families and activities. Because his family lived farther away, he'd keep in touch with them by phone and his first question was always about how the pets were doing. Following Anne's death in 2011, Joe remained living at home for awhile and then eventually moved to Bethany Pioneer Village, where he lived until the present. He enjoyed the many visits he received from his children and grandchildren, siblings and many friends. Joe will be lovingly remembered and sadly missed by his four children, four grandchildren and three step grandchildren: Brian (Kathy) Sterner of Fort McMurray, AB and her children, Jason, Scott and Chris; Sharon Dewald of Calgary and her children, Cody and Brittany; Kevin (Irene) Sterner of Fort McMurray and their children, Shayne and Taylor; and Richard (Pati) Sterner of White Rock, BC; 5 brothers and 5 sisters: Mary (Ben) Roenspies, Margaret Albers and Agnes Schemenauer, all of Humboldt, Alois (Lydia) Sterner of Silver Park, Adolph Sterner of Saskatoon, Alfred Sterner of St. James, Helen (Donald) Hueser of Pilger, Anna Marie Tieber of Lake Lenore, George (Madeline) Sterner of Melfort and David Sterner (Sue) of Whitehorse, YT; brother-in-law, Jim Meyers of Humboldt; in-laws of the Stolte family and by numerous nieces and nephews. Joe was predeceased by his parents, John and Katherine Sterner; wife, Anne Sterner; daughter, Lori Sterner; 2 brothers and 1 sister: Catherine Meyer, Johnnie Sterner, and Michael Sterner; half brother, John Sterner; and brothers-in-law: Gilbert Albers, Ted Schemenauer and Ed Tieber. The Prayer Service for Joe was held on Thursday, April 11, 2013 at 7:30 p.m. and the Funeral Mass was offered on Friday, April 12, 2013 at 10:30 a.m. Both services were held at St. Anthony's Roman Catholic Church, Lake Lenore. Others taking part in the services were: Prayers readers, Colette Meszaros and Bev Schmidt; eulogist, Richard Sterner; crossbearer, Sharon Dewald; candle bearer, Brittany Dewald; Mass readers, Kevin Sterner and Tammy Dierker; and intentions, Jane Ramler. An Honor Guard was formed by members of St. Anthony's Knights of Columbus. Pallbearers were Brian Sterner, Kevin Sterner, Richard Sterner, Cody Dewald, Glen Jasken, Murray Jasken, Lorne Schmidt and Russel Back. Interment followed in St. Anthony's Parish Cemetery. Memorial donations in Joe's memory may be made to Heart & Stroke Foundation of Saskatchewan, Bethany Pioneer Village or St. Anthony's Parish. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Malinoski & Danyluik Funeral Home, Humboldt, SK.
