Carol Jane Stulberg, a long-time resident of the Endiang community passed away on Oct. 18, 2023 at Castor, Alta. at the age of 91 years.
Carol was born on April 2, 1932 in Hanna, Alta. She was the sixth of eight children born to Dr. John Stanley Paxman and Edith Caroline (nee Gamey) Paxman.
She grew up on a farm in the Meadowlands district, a short distance northeast of Hanna, with her siblings Bill, Cliff, Bernice, Mary, Irene, Eva and Verna.
Carol’s mother died when she was six years old. Her father never remarried, and the older children raised the younger ones.
Carol had an incredible enthusiasm for life and endless energy even into her advanced years. She was a soft-spoken, gentle person, yet was extremely strong and independent. She was ambitious and had a multitude of interests and was never idle.
Carol had a positive outlook on life and never complained. She was fun to be around. She loved her family more than anything and was a loyal friend. Carol was often described by many by one simple word — amazing!
Carol married the love of her life, Jack Stulberg on March 16, 1952. They purchased a farm at Endiang, Alta. and built a new home, which they finished inside as they could afford. She lived in that same house for the next 71 years until her passing at 91 years. She never wanted to live anywhere else.
They had wonderful friends and neighbours. Jack and Carol were active community members and volunteers.
Jack had lost his right arm in a farm accident when he was 25 and Carol literally became his right arm. They worked side by side every day doing the daily work a farm required and built up a farming operation with their sons that she was very proud of.
Carol and Jack had two sons, Les born in 1955 and Larry born in 1958 who both became involved in the family farm with their families.
Carol was confirmed into the Lutheran faith in 1956 at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Scapa, Alta. She was a believer in God her entire life.
Carol loved every aspect of farm life with harvest being a favourite as she enjoyed hauling grain from the combine. She also loved the cattle operation and the people she met during the time raising purebred Simmentals.
She was a welcoming hostess – the coffee pot was always on and the door was always open. It seemed everyone who came to the farm got fed, or at the very least served a coffee and some homebaked goodies.
Growing and caring for her many flowers topped Carol’s list of interests. She had an amazing green thumb. Carol had a beautifully maintained yard and it gave her much enjoyment. One year she won the trophy for best rural or urban yard in the Stettler area.
She managed to maintain her large yard meticulously, even in her final year of life.
Her other interests included gardening and preserving, floor curling, playing cards, visiting friends and family, watching curling – with her favourite teams being Kevin Koe and Jennifer Jones, listening to country music – especially Charley Pride, watching her favourite daytime soaps always recorded to watch in the evenings and baking, much to the delight of her family. She was a great cook and baker; everyone loved her Tomato Soup cake with brown sugar icing, as well as date-filled cookies, squares, loaves and pies.
In years past she also enjoyed travelling.
Her biggest enjoyment came from her family. Her family meant everything to her and was her life, including her extended family. She was the best mother, grandmother and great-grandmother anyone could ask for.
Carol Stulberg is survived by her sons, Les (Rosemary) Stulberg and Larry (Lorene) Stulberg.
Also survived by grandchildren, Travis Stulberg; Alicia (Cody) Scheerschmidt and their children Hayden, Easton and Tesily; Tyler (Samantha) Stulberg and their children Beckett and Ella; and Krystal (Robert) Stoutenberg and their children Jack and Boyd and her brother-in-law Joe Engelman and many nieces and nephews.
Carol Stulberg was predeceased by her beloved husband of 51 years, Jack in 2003; by her parents Dr. John and Edith Paxman; all of her siblings, Bill (Pauline) Paxman, Cliff (Hilda) Paxman, Bernice (Albert) Zeimer, Mary (Leonard) Smith, Irene (Walter) Sarabin, Eva (Ray) Ergang and Verna Engelman.
Also by her parents-in-law Gus and Emma Stulberg, brothers and sisters-in-law Caroline Stulberg, Pauline (Herman) Ziemmer, Martha (Ben) Keibel, Lenore (Reinhold) Dewald, Walter (Bernice) Stulberg, Lawrence (Martha) Stulberg and by her nieces Judy Ergang, Judy Mulgrove, Margaret Cook and Donna Keibel, nephews Stan Paxman, John Paxman and Corey Stulberg.
Donations in memory of Carol are gratefully accepted to: Endiang Community Hall, R. R. 1, Endiang, Alta. T0J 1G0, or St. Peter’s Lutheran Church Cemetery, Scapa, Alta. Box 622, Hanna, Alta. T0J 1P0.
Condolences can be sent to the family at www.stettlerfuneralhome.com. Stettler Funeral Home & Crematorium entrusted with the care and funeral arrangements, 403-742-3422.