Froese, Gus
Gus Froese
It is with heavy hearts that the family of Gus Froese announces his passing on Wednesday, March 29th, 2017. Gus was born in Hawarden, Saskatchewan in 1929 to Gustav and Anna Froese and was raised on the family farm west of Hanley in a large, loving family. He grew up in the rhythm of farm life, with a close connection to the land that would provide a foundation for the works of his hand and his heart. He attended elementary school in the Sheldon district and graduated from Rosthern Junior College in 1948. In 1952, Gus began his teacher training at Saskatoon Teachers’ College, and later attended the University of Saskatchewan, including art studies at Kenderdine Campus, Emma Lake. His teaching career included urban and rural schools at Aberdeen, Strongfield, Hanley, Watrous, Zelma, and Lockwood, where he met Kathleen Stephenson. Gus and Kathleen were married in 1959, and in 1966, moved to Moose Jaw where they would raise their three sons. Gus taught industrial arts and art at Peacock Technical High School, as well as contributing his set design skills to the school’s theatre productions. In 1976, Gus constructed his own studio and devoted himself fully to painting, sculpture, woodwork, pottery, and mural painting, as well as teaching art workshops in Saskatchewan and across Canada. Gus was a long-time contributor to the arts and culture of the Moose Jaw area and the province as an artist, teacher, and mentor. He was an executive member of the Saskatchewan Arts Board and the SSEA, board member of the Moose Jaw Museum & Art Gallery and Minto United Church, and an active supporter of the New Democratic Party. For his dedication to art, education and community, Gus received the IODE Good Citizenship Award in 2000, the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal in 2002, and the Moose Jaw Honour’s Award in 2006. He was predeceased by his parents; brothers: Jake (Elsie), John (Agnes), Arnie (Helen), Art, and Ben Froese; sister, Selma (Glen Dromerski); brothers-in-law: John Unrau, Harold Krause, Ernie Ebbert, Max Stephenson, and Richard (Margaret) Stephenson. Gus will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 58 years, Kathleen; children: Rich (Laurie), Rob (Gabriela), and Kirby (Crystal); grandchildren, Ashley and Stephen Froese; brothers, David (Marlene) and Helmut (Liz); sisters: Anne Unrau, Louise Falk (Walt), Mary Krause, Frieda Ebbert, and Marlene Hoeppner (Don); sisters-in-law, Anita and Mary; and several generations of nieces and nephews. A gentle and generous soul, fun-loving, warm and supportive, Gus lived a life filled with profound love and appreciation for family, friends, nature and wonder. He spread the blessing of his zest for life to all those who knew him. He will be greatly missed and dearly remembered. His wonderful spirit will live on. A Celebration of Gus’ Life will be held on Wednesday, April 5th, 2017 at 1:00 p.m. in Minto United Church, 1036 7th Ave NW, Moose Jaw, SK. Reverend Linda Tomlinson-Seebach will officiate. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Moose Jaw Museum & Art Gallery, 461 Langdon Cres, Moose Jaw, SK S6H 0X6. Arrangements are entrusted to Moose Jaw Funeral Home, 268 Mulberry Lane. Gary McDowell, Funeral Director 306-693-4550
I haven’t been to Moose Jaw for quite some time, so was unaware of Gus’ passing. I met Gus in 1981 when he taught a ‘colour and design’ class at (then) STI. I was a bit of an oddball, because I probably should have been in art school instead of business… but this is what forged a friendship and mentorship with Gus. He was my favourite teacher teaching my favourite class… and I would like to think that my enthusiasm made me one of his favourite pupils. The city lost a lot when he passed, but they do have the joy of the work he left behind. ❤
Condolences to the family of Gus Froese. When I was in elementary school I studied with Gus during one summer of his classes at Emma Lake. For 3 consecutive years I went there in the summer with my grandmother Evelyn Johnson. We appreciated his gentle kindness and seeing as my grandparents had once lived in MooseJaw and we had much family there, we felt a connection to his works. My grandmother spoke a bit about his murals as she spent a lifetime active with OSAC and the Estevan Arts Council and was always promoting Saskatchewan artist.
I was always the only child in amongst the adults but I always fit in and enjoyed every minute of it. One evening we all gathered after dinner to tell ghosts stories into the dark of all of us artists the night. Hahaha…. Staying in those old cabins never felt more scary yet exciting.
Gus really stuck in my mind with his humble kindness. He allowed us to grow into our own when we went into the forest to find something fascinating to paint.
I had always wished to meet up once again but SIAST Emma Lake shut its doors. I’ll miss the cold mornings that brightened when all of us artists raided the charcoal from the past evenings cafeteria fire. We went through charcoal like crazy so it was a goldmine!
Whenever I hear about MooseJaw or drive through MooseJaw or Prince Albert, I can’t help but associate its greatness with the works of Gus and it triggers wonderful memories that my grandmother and I shared and the inclusion of Gus as our instructor one summer.