Stephen Derrall Wildfang
On Thursday, March 15, 2018, Stephen passed away with his family by his side at the University of Alberta Hospital, Edmonton, from Acute Myeloid Leukemia.
Stephen is survived by his loving wife of 29 years, Darla (nee Bjornson); daughter, Larissa (Willem) Kubke; son, Alex; and granddaughter Stevie Johanna Kubke. He will be forever loved and sadly missed by his mother Shirley; sisters Shelley (Todd Pleon) and Jennifer (John Weir); brothers Jeffrey (Kelly) and Jay (Linda), as well as in-laws Dennis and Carol Bjornson, brother-in-law Curtis (Bonnie) Bjornson and his 11 nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his father Gerald Wildfang of New Hamburg, Ontario.
Born in Waterloo Ontario, the eldest of five children, Stephen was a leader from an early age and always there to lend a helping hand. Academically, he was always at the top of his class. After graduating with honours from Wilfrid Laurier University Business School, Stephen moved west to Edmonton and joined Peat Marwick Thorne (now KPMG) and was “adopted” by the Hirsch family. In 1986, he achieved the designation of Chartered Accountant through the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Alberta. In 1993, he left KPMG and started his own successful practice which he continued through his illness.
It was Stephen’s ‘duty and delight’ to serve others, and he spent the core of his life doing so. He devoted over 27 years of service as Treasurer of the Synod of Alberta and the Territories, ELCIC; 8 years on the board of the MS Society in various roles and over 20 years as Treasurer or Congregational Chair of the congregations of Ascension Lutheran Church, and Holy Spirit Lutheran Church in Edmonton. He was Treasurer of the ELCIC Canadian Lutheran Youth Gathering from 1988 to 2002.
He loved sports and rarely missed a home game of his beloved Oilers or Eskimos. He was an avid fan of the Boston Bruins and Toronto Blue Jays, often enjoying a pint with his son as they cheered their favourite teams. He followed international soccer, golf, formula one racing, basketball and eagerly awaited each curling season to watch and play with the Hirsch brothers.
Stephen loved his family dearly, and enjoyed spending quality time with them, whether it was yearly ‘honeymoons’ with Darla, camping trips and dinners with Larissa, Willem and Alex, or trips back to Ontario, he was always happiest when together with family.
The family wishes to express their immense gratitude and thanks to the staff at the University of Alberta Hospital Medical Outpatient Unit, including nurse practitioners Janet and Nicole; but especially on the Hematology Unit: nurses Katelyn, Chelsea, Holly, and Mike; and Doctors Tiffany Van Slyke and Minakshi Taparia for their loving care of Stephen and individual support of the family through his illness.
Memorial Service
1:00PM Friday April 6, 2018
Trinity Lutheran Church
10014-81 Avenue NW Edmonton, AB
Donations in honour of Stephen may be made to the Alberta Synod, ELCIC – designated to Missional Formation, or the University Hospital Foundation – designated to the Hematology Unit.
Dear Darla and Family
I would like to take this opportunity to express my sympathies to you and yours. I appreciated the work done by your husband as ELCIC treasurer for Synod of which I was a part of for many years. God be with you, and His peace surround you, through our Lord Jesus Christ.
In His Service, I Remain
Rev. Barrett B.F. Scheske LCMC
Grace and I offer our sincere condolences to you Darla, and to your folks, and to Stephen’s folks. We were encouraged to have you attend a Lutheran Marriage Encounter weekend that we presented as a clergy couple. On June 9 we will be celebrating our 69th wedding anniversary. God has been good. May God keep you strong.
Greetings with Romans 8:31 – 39.
Dear Darla:
We were saddened to hear of Stephen’s passing following his illness. I have wonderful memories of serving together with him during my fourteen years attending meetings of Synod council. Stephen’s ability, wisdom and commitment as our Synod treasurer was inspiring as was his gift for chairing Synod conventions. He was truly a leader and stood out in any gathering. I have always held Stephen with utmost respect and admiration because of his dedication, kindness and Christ-like character. He will be greatly missed. We know the joy of Jesus’ resurrection victory at Easter will fill you and your family with hope, peace and much comfort. You are remembered in our thoughts and prayers with love and thankfulness.
Darla, Larissa, Willem and Alex. It is with sadness that I write this note. Les and I are so sorry for the passing of Stephen. Like him, there is no other, always appeared strong, great sense of humor and showed his love wherever and whenever we saw him. When we saw Stephen and you (Darla) at Home Depot a few months ago, there was so much hope for a recovery. A wonderful person taken from earth way too soon. Heaven got a very special angel that day. So happy that he got to see his grandson before he passed. This must have filled his heart with so much joy. He will be dearly missed by all the people who knew him near and far. Please take care. May God hold you near as you grieve the loss of your husband and dad.
Love from Les and Kathleen Pgetzke
Dearest Wildfang Family.
We were fortunate to have Stephen part of our professional circle.
Stephen and his family have been part of our daily devotionals and he is now safe in God’s garden.
May God be with you and comfort his family, as he continues on his journey.
God’s Blessings
Dear Dalarna and family, may you sense God’s mighty Love and Grace in this time of deep sorrow. It was a blessing to have worked with Stephen on youth gatherings across the country….his faith led him in ministry. Praise be to God for his life!
To the Wildfang family
Sincere condolences on the passing of your husband, father, son and son-in-law, Stephen. He will be missed by all of you. May his memory be blessed and may you be comforted as you visualize him in his eternal home.
Sincerely, Ruth E. Jensen
Dear Wildfang Family,
It is with great sorrow that we send our condolences for the loss of Stephen. He was a great man and we always looked forward to getting together with him. Stephen always spoke so wonderfully about you and we could tell that he was a very happy and devoted family man. He will be greatly missed. Our thoughts are with you at this time.
To the Wildfang Family
My deepest condolences on the loss of Stephen.
Although I had not been in his company recently, Kelly
always kept me up to date on things out west.
I know he will be missed by many and may you find some
comfort in the memories you made.
To the Wildfang Family,
My condolences and deepest sympathy for your loss of Stephen. He was not only my accountant but a friend for many years. I will not only miss his professional advice but his cheerful nature and our wonderful banter about our Oilers team and other sports. He will be dearly missed and I will cherish the memories of our association. In our last meeting about a month ago Stephen told me he knew his dire circumstances he was in but he would make sure he would make it to see his new grandson or granddaughter. By the Grace of God he was able to see his new granddaughter. I admire how he battled his illness this last year as he was always so positive and he knew it was in God’s hand. Even when he was so ill he still managed to look after my account which I will always be grateful. He is gone but not forgotten. May God bring your family peace.
Ken Quon and Family
Dear Darla, I was shocked when I heard of Stephen’s passing. My deepest condolences and sympathy for your loss. He was a great man. The team at Pro-ACtive IT had enjoyed working with you both over the years. May your memories comfort you and your family in the years to come. God Bless. Rest in Peace Stephen.