Ethel Effie Stevenson

The passing of Ethel Stevenson occurred peacefully in the early morning of Wednesday March 6, 2024, while surrounded by loving family. She had spent her entire life giving to others and putting them ahead of herself.

She is survived by children Grant, Todd (Pat), Kim (Gord) Rybchinski, as well as grandchildren Kelsey, Abby, Zen, Aliva, and sister Pat Lambert. She was predeceased by husband Arnold, parents Rudolph and Wilhelmina Speidel, in-laws Daniel and Josephine Stevenson, sisters Margaret and Cheryl, as well as brother Robert, and a special sister-in-law-Violet Schmidt.

Mom was born on February 1, 1935, just outside of Asquith, SK. At an early age, her family moved to Warman, Saskatchewan and then rural Saskatoon. In 1941, the family settled in the Buena Vista area of Saskatoon.

Mom went to Buena Vista Elementary School, and then Saskatoon Tech high school. Soon after, she joined the Army reserve and met the love of her life - Arnold Stevenson in 1954. They became close friends, and eventually married in November 1958.

In 1960, Mom and Dad saved up enough money to purchase a home on 8th Avenue, in the North Park neighbourhood of Saskatoon. Along with their soon-to-be family, they lived there until 2011.

Family came soon after. Grant, Todd, and Kim arrived, and mom’s passion was raising them and making sure that the family had everything that they needed. She was the quintessential neighbourhood mother. The family house and yard always had kids playing there, and there was never a shortage of treats and beverages for all. Mom seemed to have this special sense of when visiting neighbourhood kids never had much to eat, and there was always lots for all to enjoy.

Mom was active in all of her kid’s lives growing up. She was a frequent chaperone on school field trips and always volunteered. She spent two years as the president of the North Park Home and School Association and was always there to provide rides for all to the kid’ s activities.

Curling, and bowling were always popular with mom. She was an active participant, and in 1971 she was a member of the Canadian ladies championship 5 pin bowling team. She enjoyed cooking, gardening and crafting. And of course there was always time to cheer for the Rough Riders!

As the kids got older, mom spent more time in the workplace at various jobs. But no matter how busy she was with family and work, mom still had time to be an active member for the ACT service club, and the Army Navy Air Force veterans where she spent hundreds of hours volunteering.

After dad passed away in 2017, mom moved to Luther Towers where she lived until her passing. Her nickname was Mrs. Sunshine. In 2022 she met a special friend- Orton Ratzlaff, and the two of them spent a lot of time participating in the Towers activities. Community socials, dancing, church services, and hymn sings were very popular with them.

Winston Churchill once said that “you make a living by what you earn, but you make a life by what you give”. Mom certainly made an incredible life for herself.

The Celebration of Ethel’s Life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday June 4, 2024, at the Windsor Chapel (704 Windsor Street, Saskatoon).

For those unable to attend please visit https://youtube.com/live/UN_S4QBlxhY?feature=share to view the service.

Arrangements entrusted to Ryan Lensen.