Stella Tomyn Stella Clarice Arneson, was born on the homestead at Tuffnell, Sask on October 8, 1928 to Mary and Henry Arneson. She was the eldest of 10 children. She attended Echo Lake school up to grade 8. Stella became a caregiver at a young age, not only helping with her siblings but also working for the Narfason family as a nanny to young Duane Narfason, Harold’s Dad. Stella met Matt Tomyn at a wedding dance in Tuffnell and they were married on November 25, 1949 at the Anglican Church in Margo in a double ceremony with Stella’s sister Esther and Matt’s brother Steve. They started raising their 8 children on an acreage west of Margo, before building a home at the original Tomyn homestead south of Margo on Stoney Lake . A hard work ethic was instilled in us kids but there was always time for fun as well. The farm was the spot for hosting extended family gatherings and to welcome friends. In the summer months one visiting family would drive out and another one would drive in. Mom welcomed all with open arms, made countless pots of coffee, soups, fresh bread & buns, dainties and delicious home cooked meals. She genuinely loved to have company and the more the merrier. Lefse, flat bread & gingersnaps were always served and a glass raised to cheer (Skol) to bless our gatherings. Mom’s trademark for all of our family gatherings and reunions was for her to bless the meal by reciting a Norwegian grace which she spoke in Norwegian. Birthdays were always meant to be celebrated and she never missed sending a birthday card to us, we were all made to feel special. Mom & Dad enjoyed a special trip to the States with friends and her most memorable trip was with her sisters Elsie and Hazel to Norway in 1994 to visit special relatives. Norway was never the same after the Golden Girls visited! Mom was involved in the community of Margo, she taught 4H classes and Sunday school, she was a member of the Lutheran Ladies ELW, the Legion Auxiliary and the Margo Quilting Club. She always looked forward to Sunday morning worship services at the Lutheran church. She relied on her faith daily. In later years pattern dances became a fun part of her & Dad’s life and they would travel the area to kick up their heels. Mom’s favorite dances were the waltz & fox trot. Dancing to the Tuffnell Jammers was their favorite. Mom always expected us kids to be proper & presentable, certainly not an easy task with this bunch. She would straighten Dad’s shirts and if he gave her flack she would say “Oh bean’s on you Matt”. There were many wooden spoons were broken over the years trying to keep us in line. Mom’s house was always clean and organized, and I don’t just mean any clean it was Arneson clean!! Mom always hung her washing on the clothes line and ironed for countless hours to have the clothes just so!! She loved her knitting and sewing and passed that on to many in the family. Mom wasn’t afraid to give you her opinion and what she thought may be the best for your life, she was bossy in a loving way. When she wouldn’t hear from someone in a while she would always ask “have you been out galavanting?” Mom loved to dine out and shop especially for purses and jewelry. You will see us gals wearing her blingy jewels today. Mom was so observant of things others often missed, pointing out things in the landscape or nature. Her memory was amazing as well! Mom has always kept track of the weather and events of the day, either on a calendar & in later years in a daily journal. Having this information often settled many a disagreement. She loved to write letters and talk on the phone to keep in touch with everyone. Mom & her sister Elsie had a special bond visiting daily and sometimes 2 or 3 times a day. Coffee in the morning, tea in the afternoon then a vodka in the evening while picking away at a puzzle. They were often galavanting until after midnight visiting their siblings in the area, UFFDA those girls! Mom still baked cookies and muffins, fixed lunches for all who visited and the coffee pot was always on right to her last day. Last week, Maxine took her out to the car Show & Shine then to great-granddaughter Cadence’s ball game on Friday evening. She lived life right to the end! She enjoyed working on puzzles, knitting slippers, dish cloths and hand towels for all. She loved to watch curling and would often curse at Jennifer Jones & comment “That Russ Howard is so loud”. Mom was the matriarch of our family. She was a loving, kind caregiver to all and her family was her heart and soul. Mom especially loved to welcome the new babies into the family. At the present time the family count is 78 and still growing! Mom always cursed her long arms but I’m sure everyone here has had them wrapped around them because she always loved to bring everyone near to her. In mom’s words she stated that “I want my family to remember me for my love for each one, they are all so special and I wish them all success, good health and happiness and that they all get along as a family. You are all very special to me, you have all been good to me, and have given me so many things I’ve cherished” Stella is survived by her children Maxine Jack, Greg (Debbie), Allan (Carol), Donald (Debbie), Maureen (Mark Nazar), Merlyn (Bernadette), David, Donna Rothlander. Her 22 grandchildren and 25 great- grandchildren. Stella's siblings: Herb (Anne) Arneson, Hazel Popadynec, Ray (Jane) Arneson, Lawrence Arneson, Elsie Domeij, Glen (Bev) Arneson; Her sister in-law Lucille Tomyn; Her brother in-law Lawrence McNab and special relatives in Norway. Stella is predeceased by her: Husband Matt, Sons in-law David Rothlander and Dennis Jack; Great Grandson Gabriel & Great Grandbaby Sowa; Brother Carl (Vicki) Arneson; Sister Lucille (Ed) Bross; Sister Esther (Steve)Tomyn; Brothers in-law Raymond Popadynec and Emerson Domeij; Sister in-law Shirley Arneson and all of Matt’s siblings. It is with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to such a wonderful Mother, Grandmother, Sister, Aunt and friend. Dear Mom, Thank you for the many life lessons and cherished memories. You have deeply touched our lives and hearts and we will miss you so very very much. Stella Tomyn's Virtual Funeral Service Live Stream (Please Click Here) 2:00 p.m. Friday, June 25, 2021 The service will be live-streamed on Narfason’s Funeral Chapel & Crematorium’s Facebook Page Donations in memory of Stella may be made to St. Pauls Lutheran Church PO Box 632 Wadena SK S0A 4J0 Or Margo Cemetery Fund Please make cheques payable to RM of Sasman PO Box 130 Kuroki SK S0A 1Y0 Cards of sympathy and caring may be sent to The Tomyn Family PO Box 495 Wadena SK S0A 4J0