In Memory Of

Lawrence Lenard Stewart

Apr 26, 1930 - Aug 21, 2023

Service

Monday, August 28, 2023
1:00 pm
Everyone is welcome to attend the Celebration of Life that will be held at the Rocky Church of the Nazarene on Monday August 28, at 1 pm.

A private family inurnment will be held prior to the service at Pine Grove Cemetery.

Interment

Pine Grove Cemetery

Notice

Donations in memory of Lawrence may be made to Clearwater Cowboy Church, or The Rocky Mountain House Museum

Obituary

In Loving Memory of Lawrence L Stewart

April 26, 1930-Aug 21, 2023
Lawrence Stewart slipped away in the early morning of Aug 21, 2023 at the age of 93.

Lawrence will be remembered by his wife of 64 years Ramona Stewart, daughter Carrie (Reg) Nimko, of Red Deer AB, daughter Laurie (Darryl) Rachar of Stettler AB, granddaughter Destiny (Leighton) Busch, and their children Racheal & Aaron Busch, grandson Jordan (Aja) Rachar, and their children Adeline and Elouise Rachar, nephew Owen (Pam) Stewart of Rocky Mountain House and their children Dennis and Derrick Stewart, other family and many dear friends both old and new.
Lawrence (Larry) was born April 26, 1930, at Stettler Alberta to Pearl and Owen Stewart. The family had come up from Iowa a few years prior to seek land. Within a few years following they left “dried out” Empress and Stettler areas and homesteaded on the meadows of Prairie Creek near Cow Lake. Lawrence started school late as his parents didn’t want him walking so far at such a young age. He attended at Hardendale School and later Pleasantvale School. He and his brother Ken attended Olds Agricultural School when he was about 20 years old. Lifelong friends were made there.
He worked on his parent’s farm and did jobs for neighbours, cutting logs and fence posts. He and Ken caught wild horses at Northfork and broke them to ride, even training one to do many tricks. He enjoyed his animals and had a real knack for taming even the wildest ones. He and Ken did a lot of veterinary work for neighbours, due to a lack of this service in the area. During his middle working years, he drove school bus. He enjoyed working with the teachers and principals whom he worked with during those 34 years and multi-generational families.
He bought what was his lifelong farm in 1957 on the Strachan Road. A couple years later he met a beautiful young girl while he worked on a road crew in the Leedale area. Ramona Lowe became his wife April 18, 1959. They started their marriage together in the old 24’ square foot house that was the only building on the property, no power or water, and a roof that leaked. Together they cleared the land and fenced it, picked roots, planted shelter belts, gardens, built a barn, shop and outbuildings, developed a cow herd, and raised Paint horses and Siamese cats.
Daughters Laurie and Carrie were born in 1962 & 1966. The family was now complete with a life full of happenings and events. In 1970 they dismantled the house and built a new larger one on the same site. Many family members and friends chipped in to swing hammers. He had no blueprints or architects, just a plan drawn on a piece of paper. The curved staircase was a hurdle so he prayed that the Holy Spirit would direct him as to how to build it. A few days later he set to work and it was built!
He butchered cattle and chickens and drove school bus for 34 years to earn a little money on the side. He hunted and provided meat for his family consistently. His pile of antlers are now an inspiration to his son in-laws and grandkids. He was a great marksman, and he took pride in keeping predator animals at a minimum.
Lawrence and Ramona were very social people, they always had company and made many lifelong friends over the years. Countless family events and celebrations happened under their roof. They always had time for a meal or coffee and a good story from Lawrence.
Since Lawrence was a dirty 30’s kid, he was a master recycler. He could build something from nothing, by puling wood out of a pile and build a bird house, a playhouse, or a garden shed in no time. His stash of free stuff evolved into many, many projects. Antiques were treasured and he enjoyed sharing his knowledge of how to make things with others. Since he had time between bus runs, he began to work at the Rocky Museum and his volunteering there turned into many years of service and many more friends.
During Lawrence’s later years, he helped build the current Rocky Museum as well as the current Church of the Nazarene. As his faith grew; he later became a member and was baptised there. He enjoyed Clearwater Cowboy Church and Heartland Cowboy Church while at Stettler. He became a regular at demonstrating his rope making skills at Leslieville Antique days, and events at the Rocky Museum. He became known as the man in the big hat.
He had a sense of humor, which lead to his many hats. From his big black hat to his long hair hat, he was always up for a good laugh. He loved Cowboy Poetry Gatherings, musical events, (especially ones where yodeling occurred), Rocky Auction sales or just plain old yard sales. He was quick to tell stories or jokes and loved to make people laugh.
Ramona and Lawrence enjoyed traveling to various places: Europe, Hawaii, Mexico. They enjoyed their place in Arizona during the 1990s. Grandkids Destiny and Jordan caught their bug for travel from the many driving trips to Arizona (without their mom and dad) and over those years, most every point of interest was stopped at, at some point.
Lawrence was very creative and had an eye for design. He enjoyed drawing, painting, and making displays (at the museum). He loved his flowers, his dogs, and most cats. He took great pride in his daughters, their husbands, and the grandkids. He was a great encourager in whatever individuals were up to.
The last 3 years of his 93 were spent living at the Rocky Senior’s Lodge and Willow Creek Lodge in Stettler. His love for coffee time was evident and he loved his time with old and new friends respectively. No matter what social event was happening, he was always there, especially when they served desserts.
Lawrence was predeceased by his Mother Pearl Ruthvan, and his Father Owen Stewart, his sisters Naomi and Muriel Stewart and Brother Kenneth Stewart.
He will always be remembered for his quiet quick wit, or encouraging words. His gentle and sweet thankful spirit will be deeply missed.
His Celebration of Life Service was held at Rocky Church of the Nazarene, on Monday August 28, 2023.
Donations in memory of Lawrence may be made to Clearwater Cowboy Church, or The Rocky Mountain
House Museum.

Arrangements entrusted to Rocky Funeral Home and Crematorium. Rocky and Sylvan Lake Funeral Homes, your Golden Rule funeral homes. 403-845-2626

Condolences

Nadine Cusack:

Our most sincere condolences to you Ramona and the girls , husbands and families. Lawrence will will be very missed, he was a blessing to all of us.
I remember the wonderful meals and hospitality at your home, both of you were always so generous and welcoming. I still have the wonderful “ planter chair” that Larry made for me, it makes my gate flowers so much more beautiful. I know you will all treasure your memories.
Hugs and prayers, Nadine, Kevin and family.

Melissa :

We all know Lawrence as the bus driver he was pretty awesome rip

Gerald and Brenda Klosse:

Condolences Ramona and family as you mourn Lawrence's passing. We are sorry we were not able to attend the funeral. We wanted to be there but it was not possible. Lawrence has been missed at Cowboy Church since the time he was no longer able to come. He was always a ray of sunshine. He had a great sense of humor and he also had spiritual insight. We enjoyed visiting with him at Westview as well and have missed him there too. At Clearwater Cowboy Church Services at the lodge, he would request the song "Beautiful Star of Bethlehem" regardless of the time of year. We are one of the couples that has a wooden cross from Lawrence hanging on our wall.

Roy Reed :

My first job off the farm was working for Lawrence cutting, peeling and pointing posts. He always had some philosophy to share and was very scientific in the way he performed each task. Those were good times in my life to be remembered.

Winnifred (Cole) Risto :

Sincere condolences to you, Ramona, your girls and families. We have many fond memories of times spent together. We remember visits and all the meals you cooked for our family and all of our guests from school. We remember Lawrence and his friendly visits. Both of you were a great blessing to us. Please forgive us for not being present at the funeral. Some of us are not feeling well.

Viola Little:

My deep deepest sympathy to Ramona and family.

Rebecca Silvester:

Condolences to the family. Lawrence was one of my favorite customers at the Co-op Home Centre with his quick wit, stories and a smile that never quit. He will be missed.

Denise (Rodtka) Ritchie:

Our sincere condolences to Ramona and family.
Lawrence has always been held in high esteem by my family. He was my bus driver for many years and a dear friend and neighbor. I feel this truly is the end of an era.

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