Fritz Stehwien

Fritz Stehwien 1914 to 2008 A full and extraordinarily productive life has come to an end. Fritz passed away very peacefully on Wednesday, March 5, 2008. He is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Waltraude and his four children with their families: Anette Dinnendahl (Franz), their children Daniel (Verena) and son, Andy (Jenny), and David; Steffi Stehwien and her children, Chicoma and children, and Aaron (predeceased in 2003); Wolfgang Stehwien (Nancy Robinson) and their children Sabrina, Derek, Anita and Niels; Barbara Stehwien (David Barr) and their children Amanda, Chantal, Evan and Florian. Fritz was born in Miltern, a small village in northcentral Germany in 1914 and began to draw and paint at an early age. He studied fine art in Hamburg, Germany but then had to serve as a soldier in France and Russia. After the war, during which he captured history in his many drawings and sketches, he continued his fine art studies in Halle, Germany, where he met and then married art student Waltraude Barthold in 1949. Together, they had four children and soon escaped communist Germany to live in southwestern Germany until 1968. On invitation by his sister from North Battleford, he visited Saskatchewan in 1967, and fell in love with the open prairies as an irresistible motif for painting. The family of 6 then immigrated and settled in Saskatoon in 1968. In his 40 years in Saskatoon, Fritz was very productive in painting, both at home and during his many trips, some as far away as Taiwan, and many as close as a country road to explore the local prairies. Together with Waltraude, he also put on numerous exhibitions across Saskatchewan, showcasing his many works and bringing little known motifs to the public. Throughout his lifetime career though, his greatest pride was always his closest family: his children and grandchildren and their many accomplishments, and Waltraude, the love of his life, his dedicated wife and partner in all he did. He was a very private man, but enjoyed much admiration for his art, both in Saskatchewan and throughout Canada and in his native Germany. A nomination for the Lt Governor Lifetime Achievement Award and the addition of his name to the Parks Naming List in Saskatoon were presented to him for his 90th birthday in 2004. The effects of Parkinsons disease didn't slow his productivity until the last few years, although when forced into longterm care in 2007, his interest in sketching portraits of staff and fellow patients was revived and he once again amazed all who knew and loved him. Painting was Fritz's life and he told all his stories through his art. He leaves behind his legacy in a phenomenal collection of works and many, many treasured memories of the gentle and loving family man he was. A Celebration of Life will be held in the form of an informal Come and Go Reception at the W A Edwards Family Centre 333 4th Ave N, Saturday, March 15th, 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Courtesy parking at Saskatoon Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Luther Care Home, 1212 Osler Street, Saskatoon, S7N 0T9. A special thank you to the staff on 2nd floor and all his care providers during his illness. Email condolences may be sent to mail@saskatoonfuneralhome.com Arrangements are entrusted to Saskatoon Funeral Home. 244-5577