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
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, March 15th, 2:00 to 4:00pm. 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.
Arrangements are entrusted to Saskatoon Funeral Home.
