Wallace Franklin Stewart, 1930 - 2000

Wallace (Wally) Franklin Stewart was born on Dec. 30, 1930 to Thomas Duncan Stewart and Anna Wilson of High Prairie. He was the only son of five children. He died peacefully at home on Oct. 22.
He is survived by: his wife Nancy; daughter Brenda (Clifford) Prince of Grande Prairie; daughter Cheryl (Jules) Bastien of Guy; daughter Cindy (Russell Lamarche) Stewart of Calgary; daughter Donna (Pat) Dube of High Prairie; son Clayton (Erica) Stewart of High Prairie; daughter Joyce (John) Stokes of Red Deer; daughter Tracy (Mike Todd) Jaeger of Red Deer; daughter Dale (Jason Robinson) of High Prairie; sister Joyce Gow of Edmonton; sister Carol Foulds of Coquitlam, B.C.; and sister Irene Hambly of Gabriola Island, B.C.; 16 grandchildren and one great-grandchild; as well as many nieces and nephews; and many members of his extended family.
He was predeceased by his sister, Pamela, and his parents.
Wally had asked to be cremated and his ashes spread by the West Prairie River. His children acted as honourary pallbearers.
Wally grew up on the West Prairie River and moved farther upstream to raise his own family. He was one of this area's pioneers. He homesteaded south of High Prairie, he was part of the work crew that built the Sports Palace arena, he and his father hauled gravel for the foundation of the High Prairie hospital, he fought fires on horseback and with equipment, he was part of the survey and seismic crews that fist mapped this area and did the first explorations. He built roads, he logged forests, he farmed, he hunted, trapped and guided others in the same.
He married Nancy Zahacy in 1955 and raised eight strong, independent children.
Wally was very community oriented and the local rodeos and agricultural fairs were some of his favourite activities. Although he was a quiet man, he had the respect of many and he genuinely liked to help out where he could.
Before retiring, he worked for awhile as a caller at the Bingo Barn and thoroughly enjoyed the people he met there.
After retiring, he became an excellent bowler and looked forward to the activities at the Golden Age Club.
Wally will be greatly missed by family and friends far and wide. At his funeral, the family asked that as expressions of sympathy, donations could be made to the High Prairie Agricultural Society or to High Prairie Victim Assistance in Wally's name.
Due to the huge turn-out at the church, many people missed being able to attend the services or to receive a memorial card. If anyone would like a copy of the eulogy for Wally, or a copy of his memorial card, please contact his wife Nancy at 523-2446 or his daughter Cheryl at 925-2168. They would be more than happy to send you one.