Margaret (Scott) Stuehmer

Jeannie Margaret Scott was born on July 30, 1912 in Kinsella, Alberta. She was the youngest of three daughters born to John and Jeannie Scott, who were both from Edinburgh, Scotland. Jeannie Margaret was the only child born outside of Scotland on both sides of the family. As was Scottish tradition, Jeannie Margaret was named after her mother, but she preferred to be called Margaret. In the fall of 1913, when Margaret was one year old, the family returned to Scotland to have Margaret christened at the Scottish Presbyterian Church, as there was no church in the Kinsella area. The family returned to Alberta in the spring of 1914.

After completing high school, Margaret attended the Camrose Normal School for one year to obtain her teaching certificate. She taught at one-room schools in Vermillion, Wainwright, and Hines Creek. In 1938, she accepted a job west of Millet at Porto Bello School. It was here that she met her husband, John Stuehmer. John’s father, Hans Stuehmer, was on the local school board and was at the interview when Margaret was hired. Margaret was boarded by the Stuehmer family. John and Margaret were married on July 10, 1939. 

John and Margaret had three children: Ronald, James, and Janet. Margaret stayed at home when the children were young. The Stuehmer farm was a gathering place for family and friends. John and Margaret were social people who hosted many, many parties for friends and family. Margaret was an excellent cook and her meals were famous amongst family and friends.

Margaret returned to teaching in 1953, moving from Porto Bello School to Pipestone School, and finally to Millet School. Long into the evenings, when the farm work and housework were done, Margaret would sit at the kitchen table, preparing the next day’s lessons. Children were very important to Margaret.

In 1974, John and Margaret moved to Leduc and James took over the family farm. Margaret continued to teach at Millet School until 1978. She dedicated 25 years of her life to the teaching profession. After her retirement from teaching, Margaret became a very active volunteer for many local organizations. Her favorite organizations were the Local Food Bank, Devonian Gardens, Edmonton Art Gallery, Leduc Friends of the Library, and the Meals on Wheels Program. She received numerous awards for her volunteer work.

John and Margaret were married for 53 years until John passed in 1992. John and Margaret had 5 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren.

Margaret was a vibrant and active woman throughout her life. She considered herself a “lifelong learner” and encouraged those around to do the same. She continued to take university courses and engage in other learning activities right up until the time of her death in 2003. Her particular passions were flowers, art, music, Canadian history, and poetry. Margaret travelled to many places in Canada and researched many more. She wrote poetry and even had a poem published when she was young. Her favorite musical theatre production was Les Miserables and she enjoyed the music of Gordon Lightfoot.

Margaret Stuehmer was an amazing pioneer woman. She spent her life inspiring others by being an incredible wife, teacher, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, friend, and volunteer. She was a true Albertan and a proud Canadian woman.