Wilfred "Fred" Russel Stephens, late of Weyburn passed away peacefully in the Weyburn General Hospital surrounded by his family who loved him dearly on April 6, 2013, at the age of 71 years. Fred was predeceased by his grandparents; his parents, Wilfred and Evelyn (nee King) Stephens; his father-in-law, Anthony Merkowsky and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. Fred is survived by his wife and best friend, Carmen; son, Philip Stephens; daughter, Lorinda Stephens and granddaughters Cara-Lee and Amanda; sister, Mae (Colin) Smith and their children: John, Joy, Jillian and their families; special cousin, Reverend John Gardner. He is also survived by Carmen's four children, whom he loved dearly as his own: Derril (Carolyn) Hackl and grandchildren: Dustin (Amanda), Dyllon, Jamie and great granddaughter, Nicole; Roland (Lynn) Hackl and grandson, Emerson; Karen Hackl Graham and grandsons: Mattias, Eric, Duncan and Carter; Craig (Tammi) Hackl and granddaughter, Michelle of Saskatoon; mother-in-law, Gabe Merkowsky; sister and brother-in-law, Linda and Rick Leaderhouse and their children: Jodi and Shawn and their families. Fred loved his furry friends Maggie and Tiki who already miss him. Fred was born in Regina on April 14, 1941 to Wilfred and Evelyn Stephens. He attended Central Collegiate in Regina, followed by completing his BA at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon. He started his adult working life with the RCAF, first stationed in Brandon, MB and then Portage la Prairie, MB before moving back to Regina where he worked in different government positions for several years. Fred was an entrepreneur who enjoyed many different opportunities. He loved the most, the years he and Carmen travelled around to many different craft shows and personal homes, meeting many people and selling their beautiful crafts that decorated many homes in the prairies. Fred also spent many years volunteering with Job's Daughter's and it brought him great joy. Fred became a Master Mason in 1963, served as a worshipful Master in King Hiram's Lodge in Regina, and joined the Latomia-Weyburn Lodge in 2009 where he sat as Worshipful Master in 2010-2011. At the time of his passing he was D.D.G.M. of District #6. A Celebration of Life for Fred was held on Saturday, April 13 at 2:00 p.m. from All Saints Anglican Church, Weyburn with Rev. Catherine Harper, officiating. All in attendance were considered Honorary Pallbearers. Urn Bearers were Derril Hackl and Joy Smith. Honor Guard was the members of the Masonic Lodge. A private family interment will follow at a later date in Prince Albert. For family and friends so wishing, donations in memory of Fred may be made to the Weyburn Humane Society, Box 1062, Weyburn, SK S4H 0W5 or All Saints Anglican Church, 239-3rd Street NE, Weyburn, SK S4H 2L3. Arrangements were entrusted to RD Family Funeral Chapel & Crematorium, Weyburn (848-0333 ~ 1-888-848-0333). Expressions of sympathy to the family may be sent to our website at www.rdfamilymemorialchapel.com "Our family serving your family"
