Austin Stouffer

Austin Stouffer (1941-2014) stepped into Heaven April 16th while a patient in St. Joseph's Hospice. Austin Hitchins Stouffer was born Sept 8, 1941 in Dryden, ON. At just 2 lbs, he was the first baby to use an incubator at the Dryden Hospital. The family moved from Amesdale to Mokomon where he was the only non-Finnish speaking student. He went on to graduate from Selkirk High School, complete B.A. and Masters degrees at Providence College, and Doctorate at Fuller Seminary, Pasadena, CA. He was the founding pastor of both Central and Grace EFC churches in Thunder Bay, pastored in Manitoba and Ontario, and planted 4 churches in BC and Ontario. The founding Dean of Trinity Seminary, Langley, BC, he also served as District Superintendent of the Evangelical Free Church of Canada. He served on many advisory boards and was an AAMFT accredited Marriage and Family Counsellor. His passion most definitely was preaching and teaching. Possibly, fishing at Mokomon in the Brule Creek ranks second. He was predeceased by his parents, Ed and May Stouffer, brother Wesley, mother-in law and father-in law Bessie and Selmer Pearson. He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Eleanor; daughters Kirsten (Peter) Ehrich, of Park City, Utah; Heidi (Jeff Bohnert) of Arcola, SK; grandchildren Pearson and Ella Ehrich, Indra Bohnert; sister Ellen Stouffer of Thunder Bay. Nieces, nephews and cousins also survive. The family extends great gratitude to Dr. and Mrs. Juvshik for their care and support; Dr. Vergidis, staff and volunteers at the Regional Cancer Centre for 7 years of wonderful care. Thank you to CCAC for all their help, and especially VON Lucja. Thank you to Pastor Don Gillett and the congregation of Grace EFC who stood with us through this difficult journey. The St. Joseph's Hospice staff were kind and caring during Austin's last week of life here. A memorial service will be held at Grace Evangelical Free Church, at 289 N. Court Street, on Tuesday, April 29 at 1:00 pm. Reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Austin Stouffer Endowment Fund of Trinity Seminary would be appreciated. "