The death of Mrs. Joan Marie (nee Roenspies) Stuckel of Humboldt, SK, occurred at St. Mary's Villa, Humboldt, on Saturday, February 11, 2012. She was 85 years of age. Joan was born on August 4, 1926, to Gus and Beulah (nee Williams) Roenspies in Humboldt. She was raised and received her formal education in Annaheim. During the years of her childhood and young adulthood, she spent a lot of time at the Annaheim Post Office helping her mother, who was the postmistress there. In her late teens and early 20s, a favorite activity was going to dances, particularly the ones held at St. James when Frank's Old Timers were playing. Not only was it a great place to dance, but there was a certain very handsome, tall guy in the band. His name was John Stuckel and the more they got to know each other, the more it was evident that they were truly "kindred spirits". On October 25, 1950, Joan and John were married at St. Ann's R.C. Church in Annaheim. Between 1952 and 1967, the Stuckel family grew to include nine children, four sons and five daughters. During the first three years of their marriage, Joan and John lived on the Stuckel farm with John's mother and three brothers. On December 7, 1953, Joan and John moved into the new house John built in Lake Lenore with their first two children, Kevin and Wendy. Joan was in her element as a homemaker. Her life revolved around her family and she was diligent in all areas the role of a dedicated homemaker entailed, from being a devoted help-mate to her husband and raising the children, to tending to the daily domestic chores. Needless to say, with a large family to feed, many hours were spent in the kitchen. Joan really enjoyed preparing meals and desserts, and her cooking and baking skills were second-to-none. She loved berry picking too, which was usually followed by making pies with the fruits of her labor. Joan and John farmed in the St. James district for 18 years. In 1968, they 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 Joan as dispatcher and John as cab driver. In 1983, they sold the business to their daughter and son-in-law, Amy and Brad Dust. In her leisure time, Joan enjoyed sewing, embroidering and quilting. A hospitable hostess, she always loved it when family and friends stopped by to visit. Joan was also known for other endearing attributes she possessed - she was patient, loving and caring. On July, 16, 2007, due to failing health, Joan became a resident of St. Mary's Villa, her home until the present. Although she will be missed by all who knew and loved her, she is now "together forever" with her beloved and devoted soul-mate, John, who predeceased her just five-and-a-half months ago. Joan will be lovingly remembered and sadly missed by three sons and five daughters: Kevin (Gwen) Stuckel of Lake Lenore, SK; Wendy (Jerry) Briens of St. Brieux, SK; Terri (Brian) Klashinsky of Saskatoon, SK; Dana (Sharon) Stuckel of Big River, 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; one sister, Elaine Verhelst; four brothers: Joseph Roenspies, Ross Roenspies, Jim Roenspies, and Ken Roenspies; and by numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband of 60 years, John Stuckel (August 30, 2011); one son, Duane Stuckel; parents, Gus and Beulah (nee Williams) Roenspies; two sisters: Alice Kramer and Mary Opfergelt; and by three brothers: Walter Roenspies, Harold Roenspies, and Laverne "Bud" Roenspies. The Prayer Service for Joan was held at St. Augustine R.C. Church, Humboldt, on Wednesday, February 15, 2012, at 7:30 p.m., led by Walter Sarauer and organist, Dolores Hinz. Scripture readers were Keryn Sulimma and Renee Stuckel, and the eulogy was delivered by Joan's children. The Funeral Mass was offered at St. Augustine R.C. Church on Thursday, February 16, 2012, at 3:00 p.m., celebrated by Fr. Emile April. Others taking part were: Dana Stuckel, crossbearer; Keryn Sulimma and Kristen Kunz, scripture readers; Lynette Cheveldae and Todd Briens, intentions; and Leon and Kevin Stuckel, urnbearers. Music ministry was provided by director Loretta Schugmann, organist Marie Aubin, 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.
