Kendall Stoye of Red Deer, beloved husband of the late Stephanie Stoye, passed away peacefully only 2 weeks after being diagnosed with cancer at his daughter’s home in Red Deer on May 5th, 2020 with his children Linda and Dan, grandchildren Casey (RN) and Dallas along with special family friend Cindy Hankel (LPN) by his side. Ken was born in Tilley, Alberta on June 4th, 1932. He attended school in Tilley and subsequently started farming with his father Frank after reaching high school level. Ken purchased his first farm in 1953 near Schneiderville (near Rolling Hills, Alberta). In 1963, he sold it and purchased land directly west of his Dads farm from John Tell. The farming and cattle business was extremely tough in the 1970’s. Ken worked at the IPSCO Steel Mill rolling plant in Brooks, during the 1975-76 winter to subsidize grain and cattle losses in those years. Dad was very active in the community; especially the Tilley Grazing Association, receiving a special award in 1991 for 25 years of service as Manager and President. Ken began managing the Tilley Grazing Association in 1967 and spent countless hours dedicated to the management of the precious EID grasslands in Tilley and surrounding area, plus all the members and cattle associated with it. Ken’s passion his entire life was cattle and farming and most importantly all the great people he met and became friends with during these years. He always listened to problems and gave advice with no expectations for reward or thanks. Ken spent many days traveling to Calgary over the years hauling cattle (fats) to market, going on trips with Hankel Brothers Trucking for the same or the annual Calgary Bull Sales to purchase purebred bulls for himself or other members of the Tilley Grazing Association. They always stopped in Forest Lawn for Chinese Food and had many good times there. Special times of the year for Dad other than birthdays were those spent with many friends he met and trusted over the years at all of the brandings, during annual round-up of cattle at Tilley Grazing Association or working cattle at each other’s places. Ken and Stephanie resided on their family farm in Tilley, Alberta until they retired to Medicine Hat in 1996. They both enjoyed travelling regularly to Mom’s home in Manitoba. They shared a great 3 week trip during retirement to Alaska and back by truck and fifth wheel with Stephanie’s sister Frances and her husband, Harry. In November 2009, Ken and Stephanie moved to Legacy Estates in Red Deer, Alberta where they met and became friends with many of the other residents. They soon found some had past connections to Tilley or lived in the EID area at some time or another. Early in retirement, Dad could be found somewhere helping his former neighbors and current friends with branding/seeding/harvesting or looking after cattle in times of need. During later retirement days and even up to one month ago; Dad travelled frequently to Medicine Hat, Brooks, and Tilley areas to have a coffee and visit with lifelong friends such as Fred & Valerie Salvisberg , Donny and Cindy Hankel in Redcliff, AB, Lenard & Bev Stroh, Joe & Peggy Weisgerber, Arlen & Rebecca Christensen, John & Lil Renneberg & Family, Bill & Ruth Shanks, Fred Kruszelnicki as well as Jake Eckert; plus, many other friends too numerous to list. Dad also enjoyed travelling around with his friend Ken Walker over the past 10 years sharing one another’s company during Roxy’s fine meals together almost daily and weekly for the last 10 and a half years at Legacy Estates Condos. Dad also attended the Burnt Lake Auction Mart in Red Deer most every Thursday to check out the sale prices, have a coffee, a piece of pie and some visiting until it recently closed. In February 2014, at age 81, Ken obtained his first passport and embarked on his first ride in an airplane down to Fort Worth, Texas with daughter Linda and her husband Darwin to visit Dan, Rhonda, Kenton and Hunter. He subsequently visited Texas 2 more times and enjoyed exploring and visiting the Stockyards and other attractions in the Fort Worth area. Dad also loved to attend the many rodeos in Alberta with the kids, or when in Texas. He was also happy to visit Sunnybrook Farms in Red Deer with Darwin, Linda and grandchildren for the annual Pioneer Days to watch the thrashing, the old steam tractors and equipment, among other events. Kendall “Dad” is lovingly remembered and will be missed dearly by his children Linda Link (Darwin) of Red Deer AB; Dan Stoye (Rhonda) of Fort Worth, TX and his special treasured grandchildren Casey and Dallas Broster of Red Deer; Madison Stoye of Red Deer and Kenton Stoye of Conroe, TX. Dad will also be missed by Stephanie’s (Moms) nephews – Neil (Gisele) Winther of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Richard (Simone) Symbol – Ostenfeld, Manitoba, Bruce (Lori) Symbol of Isle Des Chenes, Manitoba, and nieces- Donna Dickey (Bob) of Beausejour, Manitoba and Corinne Edwards (Bob) of Sherwood Park, Alberta, Elizabeth of Ostenfeld, Manitoba. Kai Winther, Ernie & Susan Winther, Mark & Julie Symbol, and many more relatives too numerous to mention. Kendall was predeceased by his wife Stephanie Stoye (Symbol) in 2013; parents Frank and Martha Stoye and his only sister Irma Goodwin (Stoye) and her husband Warren Goodwin of Calgary, AB. In memory of Kendall, if family or friend’s desire, memorial tributes may be made to Diabetes Association (Brooks and District). Many thanks to the staff of Unit 32 at the Red Deer Regional Hospital, for their incredibly kind, compassionate and exceptional care of Dad and family. As well as Dr. Odendaal, for his kindness, caring and after hour home visits. Thank you. Graveside Services are by invitation only due to Public Health Restrictions and will be held at Brooks Cemetery on May 13 at 1:00 PM. A Memorial Service will be held at the Heritage Inn in Brooks at a later date. For further information, to order flowers or to send a message of sympathy, please visit www.thomsfuneralhome.com or call (403) 501-1010.
