Obituary of Sterling Kenneth Smith

Sterling Kenneth Smith, a resident of Beaverlodge, Alberta was taken from us suddenly on Thursday, January 3, 2013 at the age of 66 years while being transported by STARS Air Ambulance to Edmonton, AB. Sterling was born in Cornwall, Ontario to Leara May (Beaupre) and Ray Smith on May 11, 1946. It was on an Ontario farm where he grew to love agriculture and during his high school years, he ventured into beekeeping, which would prove to be his lifelong passion. It was a beekeeping trip which had brought him to the Peace Country where he met his loving wife, Karen Kabanuk in Hines Creek, Alberta. Settling down to raise a family in the Peace Country, he spent much of his time camping, hunting and fishing with his father-in-law Alexander, wife and children as well as his many relatives and friends. Over the years his adventures included managing UGG elevators in Hines Creek, Clairmont and Nampa, travelling to the remote north as a licensed fishing and hunting guide, acquiring his private pilots licence and flying his plane, collecting and auctioning antiques (like his father had done in Ontario), firefighting, working with cattle, grain farming, oilfield security and of course working with his bees. After years of running a large honey apiary, Sterling transitioned into leaf cutter bees and alfalfa seed production. He had also served a term as a technician for Agriculture & AgriFood Canada at the Beaverlodge Research Farm as their chief beekeeper. Sterling was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend to many. He leaves to mourn his wife Karen, mother-in-law Norma Kabanuk, daughter Wendy (Garth Walter), grandchildren Colton, Johnathon and Katelyn, son Calvin (Karen), grandchildren Kimberly and Alexander, daughter Janice, grandchildren Brandon, Steven and Kyle, sister-in-law Eleanor Kabanuk, nephew Michael, niece Patricia, as well as family in Ontario, friends, co-workers and neighbours who he enjoyed to spend his time with. A Memorial Service was held on Saturday, January 12, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. at the United Church in Beaverlodge. Reverend Neil Palmer officiated. Interment will be held at a later date. For friends so wishing, donations may be made in memory of Sterling to STARS Air Ambulance Grande Prairie Base 10911-123 Street, Grande Prairie, Alberta T8V 7Z3. Very Respectfully Beaverlodge Funeral Service