Donald Stevenson

Don was born in Norway House, Manitoba, Friday, January 4, 1918. He lived his early years in Norway House and Cross Lake. He left when he was 18 to find work. One of his friends from Cross Lake mentioned that he was the fastest runner in his youth and was chosen to deliver mail to the surrounding communities. He jokingly said that dad started running one day and didn’t stop till he reached Opaskwayak. It was while he was here that he met and married our mom Hagar. They raised 6 children: 3 boys and 3 girls and one baby girl Kathleen died in infancy. Home was where the jobs were available, so the children grew up in camps in the north. Mom passed away leaving him to raise us. Our grandmother helped to raise us while dad went to find work where he could. Dad was a trapper, fisherman and a logger all his life. He loved to cook traditional foods for his grandchildren. A meal wasn’t complete without his famous bannock and tea. He loved to cook outdoors on an open fire and tell stories while he waited for supper. He loved to tell stories about Wee-sa kee-jak to any one that asked him. He loved to tease his grandchildren and always asked about them. One grand daughter asked him to teach her how to skin and stretch fur, which he did with great patience. His grandchildren used to tag along with him when it was time to check his nets or his traps and snares. Dad was a very caring man to his children and to anyone who came to him. He made lots of friends young and old alike. He lived in Watchi Bay with his youngest daughter until his health forced him to move to the Rod McGillivary Memorial Care Home. His oldest daughter Mary took him to visit his grandchildren and friends in Norway House twice recently for the last time. Dad told us quietly that he was tired and it would be soon that he would leave us. Dad passed away peacefully, Tuesday, November 23, 2010 at the Rod McGillivary Memorial Care Home, Opaskwayak Cree Nation, Manitoba, age 92 years. Don is survived by his children Lucy Harris, Mary Stevenson, Fred Stevenson, Patrick Stevenson, Sylvia Christie and Conrad Stevenson; grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews in Cross Lake and Norway House. Don was predeceased by his wife Hagar Stevenson (Mink); mother Catherine; father Donald; mother-in-law Margaret Mink (Lathlin); father-in-law David Mink; sisters-in-law Matilda, Bella, Harriet, Mary; brothers-in-law Harvey, Andrew, Ahab; grandchildren Peter Stevenson, Charles Harris Jr.; great grandchildren Angel Christie; son-in-law Charles Harris; daughter-in-law Lorraine Stevenson. WAKE SERVICES Saturday, November 27, 2010 and Sunday, November 28, 2010 Church of Redeemer, Opaskwayak Cree Nation, Manitoba FUNERAL SERVICE Monday, November 29, 2010 11:00 am Church of Redeemer, Opaskwayak Cree Nation, Manitoba Presider: Ven. Jim Sayese Scripture Readings: Simon Bignell, Michelle Stevenson Eulogy: Mary Stevenson PALLBEARERS Fred Stevenson, Patrick Stevenson, Conrad Stevenson, Clifford Lathlin, Henry Christie, Stuart Bignell, Simon Bignell and Norman Bloomfield. HONORARY PALLBEARERS All Don’s Family and Friends, Rod McGillivary Memorial Care Home Staff, Friends and Relatives from Cross Lake and Norway House. If friends so desire, donations to Canadian Diabetes Association, 200-310 Broadway, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3C 0S6, would be appreciated by Donald’s family.