Obituary of Dr. Wendell Arthur Stevens

Reverend Dr. Wendell Arthur Stevens 1928 – 2017 Wendell Arthur “Stevey” Stevens was a remarkable man with a passion for life and all things in it. He had a quick wit and sense of humour. He was particularly passionate and proud of his wife, Thelma, his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was also passionate about his faith in God and found his life’s calling as a United Church Minister. He graduated from St Andrew's College in Saskatoon, Sk in 1952. He began his ministry in the Rockglen SK area, then he served in Shaunavon, SK, Wainwright, AB, St Paul's United Church in Saskatoon,SK, Lynn Valley in North Vancouver, BC, Rosetown, SK, Grace Westminster United Church, in team ministry with Rev. Don Barss, in Saskatoon, SK, and in semi-retirement, Shaunavon, SK and St Martin's United Church, Saskatoon SK. In 1989 Stevey received an honorary Doctor of Divinity. He sung in choirs wherever he was and had a beautiful tenor voice. In his retirement he joined the Saskatoon Men's Chorus for a while. He was involved in many volunteer positions and boards in every community he lived. He believed in and built communities wherever he went. He was a Scouter for most of life, taking many troops to Canadian and World jamborees. He and Thelma joined a bird watching group, the Golden Eagles, and spent many days enjoying nature. He was particularly thrilled to come over a rise one day to see Whooping Cranes and another time to see a Prairie Chicken Dance. He was also an avid stamp collector all of his life with contacts all over the world. Stevey was very passionate about all things sports related. He was an avid athlete especially regarding the game of tennis. He was a very enthusiastic Saskatchewan Roughrider fan and as well, loved a good game of bridge, crib and curling. He was very proud to have been part of the Climax Cardinals baseball team that was inducted into the Saskatchewan Baseball Hall of Fame two years ago. He loved baseball and watched all of the Blue Jays games he could. He had a passion for Dixieland jazz and passed away while listening to this music with his family at his side. Stevey was born on March 30, 1928 in Climax, SK and passed away on January 28, 2017 at 88 years of age. Wendell is survived by his wife Thelma, his daughter Patricia Bischop (Clarence) and their children Janis Rogowski (Richard) great grandchildren Ava and Nyla, Steven Bischop (Cat Bonner), Karen Bischop (Damyon Sim), his son James Stevens (Carol) and their children Craig and Cara, and grandson Joshua Steinke. He is also survived by his sister in law Shirley Anderson, sister in law Georgena McNabb (James) and many nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his son John, his brother in law Robert Anderson, his brother and sister in law Syd Stevens (Lillian) and sister and brother in law Joyce Bird (Rex)