Steve George Kowbel, late of Regina, SK passed away peacefully on Thursday, December 26, 2019 at the age of 82 years after a long hard-fought battle with cancer. He will be immensely missed by all his family and friends. He is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Marguerite; his children Kerry (Bev), Deb, Chris (Dave), Darren, Lori (Rocky) and Brian (Stacey); grandchildren Colin, Jessica, Sean, Kyle, Nick and Jayden; sisters Jeannie Shipman (predeceased by Bill) and Adele Tremblay (Ray); in-laws Bertha Boutin (predeceased by Ross), Roger Petit (predeceased by Beth) and Joyce Hawes (Dennis); and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Steve was predeceased by his parents Nick and Rose Kowbel; siblings Helen Fedorchuck (Joe), Albert Kowbel, Mary Tirk (survived by Joe) and Verna Wasylenko (Bernie); and in-laws Cyrille and Denise Petit, Ray Petit and Bernie Petit.
Steve was born in Humboldt, SK on November 17, 1937. Steve’s passion had always been farming. He farmed with his dad as a young boy until he moved to British Columbia at 17 years old, where he worked in a sawmill in Port Alberni. He returned to Saskatchewan in 1958, choosing Regina as his home. He worked for Curly’s garage and service station and continued to help with the family farm for several years.
Steve met the love of his life, Marguerite, in 1962 and they were married on July 27, 1963. In 1966, Steve bought the family farm in Lanigan, SK. By 1967, he had three young children and decided to start his own service station business to provide for his young family. He partnered with a friend and bought the Arcola Esso.
Steve worked hard to provide for his wife and 6 children, farming and running service stations for the next 25 years. In 1970, Steve bought his own franchise, Crosstown Esso. He then sold the family farm in Lanigan to purchase the farm in the area of Estlin, SK in 1984.
After retirement, Steve enjoyed travelling. He and Marguerite enjoyed travels to Panama, Hawaii, Greece, a European river cruise, Africa, Palm Springs, Arizona, New York, Las Vegas and other American cities. In 2013 they did a road trip from Regina to Labrador. Much time was also spent visiting family and friends across Canada and the USA.
Steve was kind, honest, and never quick to anger, and he loved his family and friends deeply. He taught through example, and he treated everyone fairly. He was witty with a dry sense of humour and except for the sly smile that would follow you might have taken him seriously. Even at the times he would be in hospital, he would fire off his one-liners to the staff. He was a strong, courageous man and never complained about his illness, remaining positive until the end.
Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, January 2, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. in St. Martin de Porres Roman Catholic Church, 4720 Castle Road, Regina, SK. Private family interment in Riverside Memorial Park, Regina, SK. The family would like to thank Dr. Chalchal and the Allan Blair Cancer Centre, along with the nurses and staff of Pasqua Hospital Unit 3B for the care they provided Steve. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Cancer Foundation of Saskatchewan, 200 – 4545 Parliament Avenue, Regina, SK S4W 0G3, or a charity of your choice.
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Steve George Kowbel December 26th 2019..
Décès pour la Ville: Regina, Province: Saskatchewan