With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Irvin Arni (Rick) Stefansson, age 93, of Beausejour, on September 17, 2026, at the Beausejour Hospital, surrounded by his family.

He will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 68 years, Mary Jane (nee Ruchkall); his children, Richard (Debbie), Jan (Andy) Baker, Kris (Jan Pedersen), and Jay (Bonnie); his Stefansson granddaughters, Torrie (Alex), Kaylee (Chani), Shaylyn (John), Gena (Nathan), and Kiara (Alex); as well as his Baker grandsons, Drew (Krista), Reid (Alannah), and Riley (Natalie). He will also be missed by his three great-granddaughters, Ellie, Lyra, and Rowyn Baker, the apples of his eye.

Rick also leaves to mourn his sister, Lois Martin; brothers and sisters-in-law, Wallace and Janet Ruchkall, and Gerry and Barb Ruchkall; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. He was predeceased by his parents, Arni and Kristin (nee Breckman) Stefansson, his parents-in-law, Frank and Jean Ruchkall, and his brother-in-law, Wilfred Martin.

Rick was born October 13, 1932, in Winnipeg and lived his first two years on the family’s dairy farm in Vivian, Manitoba. The farming operation moved to Tyndall, where he spent the next 65 years, becoming a deep part of the fabric of his community. In 1961, he took over the grain farming operation, and in 1974, he began working at the Canadian Wheat Board as well, retiring from there in 1993. Rick and Mary Jane then bought a motorhome and spent many happy years touring North America in their retirement, as well as travelling to many other places around the world. In 1999, they built their dream home in Beausejour, where they resided until moving into Stony Plains Terrace two years ago.

Rick was elected as Reeve of the RM of Brokenhead and served from 1972 to 1975. He volunteered and was active in many community organizations too numerous to mention. He loved to participate in baseball and hockey in his youth, then curling and golfing later on, but his greatest passions were fishing and hunting, the latter earning him widespread admiration for his exceptional skill as a marksman.

Many thanks to the healthcare teams at the Beausejour Hospital and Stony Plains for their extraordinary care and compassion. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Brokenhead River Community Foundation, Box 2225, Beausejour, MB. R0E 0CO, 431-343-2723

A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, October 2 at 10:00 am at Sobering Funeral Chapel, 1035 Park Ave. E, Beausejour

www.soberingfuneralchapel.com