Norbert Rudolf Stier
Norbert Rudolf Stier was born on May 3, 1924 in Gyor, Hungary to Emilia and Jozef Stier. As a young child, he immigrated to Canada with his mother and older sister, Anna, to join his father who had already settled in the area of Raymond, Alberta. Intending on relocating to Salmon Arm, Jozef, all of their personal belongings, and all their farm animals boarded a freight train en route to British Columbia. During a scheduled stop in Revelstoke, local Hungarians caught the ear of Jozef and convinced him he had found home. The family bought and settled on a farm in Greely. There, Norbert’s passion for the great outdoors was kindled in his early years with farming, hunting, fishing, hiking, trapping, logging and pack-horse guiding. He was gifted with an understanding of the land and its creatures. The retelling of the stories from this time in Norbert’s life defined him.
Norbert met the love of his life, Phyllis Jean Turner, on a blind date in Nelson B.C. Their relationship blossomed, and the two were married on July 15th, 1950. Phyllis joined Norbert and his parents on the Greely Farm, and soon after welcomed the birth of their first son, David, in 1952, and their daughter, Julie, in 1955. Two years later, the family decided to move into Revelstoke for their children’s schooling. In 1959 their second son, Ronald,was born. Norbert worked with the Department of Highways until relocating to Malakwa in 1963. Norbert and Phyllis owned and operated the Shell Service Station until it was destroyed by fire shortly after Christmas in 1965. The family returned to Revelstoke where Norbert assumed a position with the school district where he stayed until his retirement in 1980. 1971 marked the arrival of their second daughter, Leanne.
In 1980, Norbie and Phyllis moved to New Denver to enjoy retirement where they spent their days gardening, helping many elderly neighbours, fishing and walking the trails around Slocan Lake. Returning to Revelstoke in 1995 to Selkirk Gardens, Norbie assumed the many duties of maintaining the condo building and was able to finally enjoy some relaxation.
Norbie passed away at the Cottages in the early hours of Monday November 24, 2008. Survived and loved by his wife, Phyllis, son David (Do), daughter Julie (Steve), son Ron (Janet), daughter Leanne (Shaun), his grandchildren: Joel, Jesslyn (Ajay), Cassandra (Jason), Leigha (Aaron), Jeffrey, his sister, Anna, niece Charlene (Jim) and nephew Eric (Linda).
Our heartfelt thanks to Dr. Molder and all of the wonderful staff at the Cottages.