James Sigurd Stolee

James Sigurd Stolee (6 May, 1931 – 28 January, 2025) in his own words.

“James spent most of his childhood in Madagascar where his father was a Lutheran missionary. In 1948, he won a Provincial prize for painting that aLorded him a summer at the BanL School of Fine Arts. In 1955, after obtaining a Bachelor of Education, and then a teaching certificate, from the University of Alberta (the latter partly thanks to course notes inherited from his siter, Elinor) there were some joyous wasted years.

With his dear friends Robert, and Verna, Willis, and his brother Leif, he took a memorable trek through Europe, ranging from Norway down to Paestum in Italy and Gibraltar in Spain. There followed years in London where he worked at the Hendon Borough Council, went to the opera and haunted museums and cathedrals. He returned west of the Atlantic to a lifetime of teaching Art at the Alberta Correspondence School. This toil was lightened by interludes in Paris, Greece and England.

He fancied himself an artist and leaves great mounds of unsold paintings. In the 1960s, he painted the Stations of the Cross for St. Stephen’s Anglican Church. Beginning with Rashomon in 1966 he designed sets for many plays produced at the Walterdale Playhouse. He was a member of the Anglican Church of Canada. In his declining years, he sheltered under the care of his brother Leif and his sister-in-law Elizabeth.”

James was predeceased by his parents Peter and Ragna (Lefsrud) Stolee, sister Elinor Emlet, brothers Erling and Leif. In Edmonton, he leaves to mourn, his sister-in-law Liz Stolee, plus nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family, as well as many dear friends, across Canada and the USA.

The family would like to thank Nera, and the third-floor staL at the Hardisty Care Centre, for making James so welcome from when he arrived in 2018, to accommodating his ongoing artistic endeavours and caring for him with compassion and kindness right up until the end.

A funeral in Edmonton, with eventual interment in the Stolee family plot in Donalda, will be held at dates to be announced.

Cremation has already taken place.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to SEARIC – Society for the Education and Assistance of