Put flour, paprika and garlic powder in a plastic bag. Coat stew beef in flour mixture and brown in hot oil in a large Dutch oven. After all meat is browned, add the remaining ingredients except for half cup cold water and quarter cup flour. Bring to a boil, cover and simmer for 2-3 hours. When all vegetables are cooked, thicken with half cup cold water mixed with quarter cup flour.
*To cook in a crockpot, brown flour coated meat. Put browned meat and remaining ingredients, except for thickening ingredients, to the crockpot. Cook on low for 10-12 hours or 5-6 hours on high.