Obituary of JoAnn Stene

Jo-Ann Stene (nee Christensen) March 16, 1936 – July 30, 2020 JoAnn passed away peacefully on July 30 surrounded by the same overwhelming love that she gave us her entire life. Born in Borden, SK, JoAnn went to school there and at the age of 7 or 8 was driving a horse and wagon to school with her younger siblings in tow. She did her nursing training in Prince Albert at Victoria Union Hospital where she received an award for nursing care. As a registered nurse she worked in clinics and hospitals in Borden, Ottawa, Prince Albert and Shellbrook. Throughout her nursing career she touched many lives and had a tremendous impact on patients and their families as evidenced by the multitude of cards and letters she received. She delivered babies, performed minor surgery and much more in her career because the doctors couldn’t always be there in small hospitals and it had to be done. In 1963 she married the love of her life, Marvin, and their adventures took them to Ottawa, Whitehorse, Fort Smith, Yellowknife, Prince Albert and Shellbrook. Along the way they raised Kevin, Doug and Lori. After losing her beloved Marv in 2010 she lived independently and was baking muffins at her home in Chestermere for her grandkids the day before she took a fall that sent her to the hospital. She was an extraordinary woman, mother, grandmother, wife, sister, nurse and friend. She was incredibly artistic and creative; making elaborate birthday cakes, sewing clothes, crocheting and knitting afghans and sewing gorgeous quilts. She played the piano beautifully, loved gardening and could put together the toughest LEGO sets with ease. After retirement, she took up golfing and it became a passion in her later years and provided many hours of enjoyment as well as very good friends and golfing partners. At age 81, she was serving on volunteer boards, baking pies for fundraisers and driving the “old people” to their appointments. JoAnn is survived by her children; Kevin and his children, Francis, Dale, Laurie, Lorne (Krisse), Jamie and Daniel; Doug (Tobi) and their children, Sydney, Evan, Carter and Jaxson; Lori (Bruce) and their son Cameron; her sister Karen (Bud), brothers Carl and Ernie (Dorille), and sisters-in-law Violet (Harry) and Delphine along with numerous nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her husband Marvin, her parents Alice and Carl Christensen, her parents-in-law Oscar and Myrtle Stene, her brother-in-law Henry Stene, sister-in-law Helga Christensen and foster brother Richard Stanley. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. In lieu of tributes, memorial donations can be made to the Shellbrook and District Health Services Foundation Inc. or Hidden Hills Golf Course in Shellbrook. Online condolences and memories can be shared at www.beaulacfuneralhome.com, Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Beau “Lac” Funeral Home, Shellbrook, SK (306) 747 – 2828.