John James StuckelAugust 5, 1926 - August 30, 2011 The death of Mr. John James Stuckel of Humboldt, SK, occurred at St. Mary's Villa, Humboldt, on Tuesday, August 30, 2011. He was 85 years of age. John, the youngest in a family of eight children, was born on August 5, 1926, to Joseph Sr. and Michaelina (nee Reger) Stuckel in the family's little log house near the shore of Lake Lenore. He was a year old when the family moved to a farm seven miles northeast of Lake Lenore. John grew up there and attended Stuckel Rural School. Following his education he helped around the farm and, in 1943, along with his brother Joe, sought winter employment at Trail, BC, in a steel smelting plant. In 1946, John travelled to Kitchener, ON, and worked in a Dominion Tire factory. The following year, John was employed by C.N. Rail in Melville. On October 25, 1950, he married Joan Roenspies at St. Ann's R.C. Church in Annaheim. John and Joan resided on the Stuckel homestead with John's three brothers, Joe, Frank and Andrew. John rented three-quarters of land in the St. James area which he farmed until 1968. In 1952, John and Joan decided it was time to build their own house. During that year, the first of nine children was born to them. In the spring of 1953, construction began on the new house in Lake Lenore and on December 7th. of that year, John, Joan and their oldest two children moved in. To supplement the farm income, John worked casually for Xavier Hoffman clearing land and doing some excavation work on the construction of the Lake Lenore water reservoir, and also worked part-time for Wright Bros. International. In 1968, he quit farming and purchased the Humboldt Taxi business. On December 14, 1969, the Stuckel family moved into a new home in Humboldt. They operated the taxi business for 15 years, with John as cab driver and Joan as dispatcher. In 1983, they sold the business to their daughter and son-in-law, Amy and Brad Dust. For ten years, John was employed as a janitor at Humboldt Collegiate Institute, and fully retired when he was in his late 60s. Even in his retirement, he kept very active and stayed in good shape. Many enjoyable hours were spent tending to his vegetable and flower gardens with his "green thumb", working at mechanical projects, woodworking, crafting, building toys, taking out his little fishing boat with his buddies, entertaining family and friends at home, and socializing on coffee row. Throughout his life, John had a passion for music and dancing, which he passed on to his children. He played the fiddle, accordion and harmonica and, for many years, had been a member of the band called "Frank's Old Timers", entertaining for weddings and dances in the Lake Lenore area. It was actually at one of those events that he met the love of his life, his precious wife Joan. A true gentleman in every sense of the word, John's mild and humble manner, warm smile, and friendly disposition endeared him to all and earned him much respect. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him. John will be lovingly remembered and sadly missed by his wife of 60 years, Joan (nee Roenspies) Stuckel of Humboldt; three sons and five daughters: Kevin (Gwen) Stuckel of Lake Lenore, SK; Wendy (Jerry) Briens of St. Brieux, SK; Terri (Brian) Klashinsky of Prince Albert, SK; Dana (Sharon) Stuckel of Meadow Lake, SK; Amy (Brad) Dust of Humboldt, SK; Leon (Nadine) Stuckel of Spruce Grove, AB; Tammy (Jeff) Plemel of Sundre, AB; and Audra (Richard) Stiers of Rockport, TX; 21 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; two sisters: Ann Stroeder of Edmonton, AB, and Mae Morley of Saskatoon, SK; and by numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by one son, Duane Stuckel; parents, Joseph Sr. and Michaelina (nee Reger) Stuckel; one sister, Agnes (Alfred) Wall; four brothers: Andrew Stuckel, Frank Stuckel, Joseph Stuckel Jr., and Mathias (Katie) Stuckel; and by brothers-in-law, Ed Stroeder and James Morley. The Prayer Service for John was held at St. Augustine R.C. Church, Humboldt, on Friday, September 2, 2011, at 7:30 p.m., led by Walter Sarauer and organist, Marie Aubin. Scripture readers were Keryn Sulimma and Tyler Dust, and the eulogy was delivered by John's children. The Funeral Mass was offered on Saturday, September 3, 2011, at 10:00 a.m., concelebrated by Fr. Daniel Muyres, OSB, and Fr. Bernard Stauber. Others taking part were: Dana Stuckel, crossbearer; Keryn Sulimma and Tyler Dust, scripture readers; Todd Briens and Lynette Cheveldae, intentions; Leon Stuckel, urnbearer. Music ministry was provided by organist Dolores Hinz and the St. Augustine Parish Funeral Choir. Interment followed at St. Augustine R.C. Cemetery, Humboldt. Memorial donations may be directed to the St. Mary's Villa Foundation. Schuler-Lefebvre Funeral Chapel, Humboldt, SK.
