THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2016

BIRD, DEBRA E.

66 (nee Bikman) of Petersburg, NJ passed away on Wednesday, January 13, 2016 at her home.

Debra is remembered as a woman who effortlessly balanced running a large household and multiple family-owned ventures, serving her church, and contributing to the community.

Debra’s Christ-like love and service were undeniable. She inspired and motivated others to achieve similar excellence.

Debra was born in Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada to Bill and Erma Bikman. She was the middle of three children. Her father was the son of Jewish Russian immigrants; her mother descended from Mormon Pioneers who trekked to the western United States pushing handcarts. Her father rose from nothing to become a successful businessman and prominent member of the community. Her mother was the ideal homemaker, successful entrepreneur, and golf hustler.

Debra achieved success at a young age. She knit, modeled, and sold clothes in her mother’s store, scored #1 in Alberta’s matriculation exam, and excelled in athletics. She attended Brigham Young University where she majored in English and met her husband, Ronald Craig Bird.

Debra and Craig had their first 8 kids while living primarily in Las Vegas NV. In 1986, she and her family moved to Upper Township NJ, where they grew their family to 11 kids.

In 1989, Debra designed and settled the family into their current home, which became known as the “Bird Compound” and “Babba’s House”. Debra opened her home to family, friends, and the community and established it as a place that fully embraced the mantra “work hard, play hard”. Countless neighbourhood kids could tell stories of coming to play at the Bird’s home, only to be Tom Sawyered.

She is survived by her husband, R. Craig Bird of Petersburg, NJ, 11 chilldren, 25 grandchildren, her parents,William and Erma Bikman, two brothers, Gary Bikman and Shane Bikman all of Canada.

Her legacy lives on through her husband, 11 kids, 25 grandkids and counting, and the lives of all those whom she so deeply influenced. Til we meet again.

Her Funeral Service was held Thursday, January 21st at 12pm at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, in Egg Harbor Township, NJ

In lieu of flowers, please contribute to SHORE Education Fund in Debra’s name to 5218 Atlantic Avenue Suite 300, Mays Landing, NJ 08330

HARRY STEPHEN BURDEN, of Lethbridge, passed away at St. Therese Villa on Tuesday, January 26th, 2016 at the age of 73 years. Arrangements will be announced when completed.

To send a condolence, please visit http://www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com

1925 – 2016

Ludmilla Emily Busowsky of Lethbridge, beloved wife of the late Mykola Busowsky, passed away on Saturday, January 23, 2016 at the age of 90 years.

Vigil Rites (Prayers) will be held at 7:00pm, on Sunday, January 31, 2016 at MARTIN BROTHERS RIVERVIEW CHAPEL, 610-4 Street South, Lethbridge.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00am, on Monday, February 1, 2016, at HOLY TRINITY UKRAINIAN GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH, 643 13 St N, Lethbridge, with the Very Reverend Father Taras Krochak officiating.

Visit http://www.mbfunerals.com to send a private condolence.

IRENE CARTER, was born December 24, 1937 beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister ,aunt and friend passed away January 17, 2016.

Irene is survived by her husband of 55 years Jack, daughter Lisa (Dean), grandchildren, Forrest, McKenzie and Chance, sister Mary and nieces Renee, Carol (Greg) and their children. Irene loved to spend time with family and friends, especially her dear and long time friend Jan; as well as her cousin Mary, with whom she travelled the world and shared precious memories old and new. These friendships were all that Irene talked about. Irene loved her family especially her grandchildren; they truly held a special place in her heart. Irene cheered her grandchildren on while watching baseball, soccer, football and hockey, as she was so proud of their accomplishments. Irene loved to garden and everyone admired her beautiful yard year after year. Irene was involved with many organizations and spoke of them often and fondly. She will be missed dearly.

A Service of Remembrance will be held at CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME, 2800 – Mayor Magrath Drive South, Lethbridge on Friday, January 29th, 2016 at 1:00 P.M., with Deacon Frank Peta officiating. A time of fellowship & refreshments will follow.

To send a condolence, please visit http://www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com

DENNIS ALAN JESSOP, beloved husband of Sandra, passed away in Raymond on Tuesday, January 26, 2016. The Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, January 30, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, TAYLOR STREET CHAPEL, Highway 52 West, Raymond, with Bishop Corry Tolman officiating. Friends may meet the family prior to the funeral service at the church from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. Interment to follow in the Magrath Cemetery.

MR. BAZYLI WILLIAM KICZULA, known lovingly by all as “Bill”, of Vulcan, AB passed away peacefully at the age of 93 years on January 22, 2016.

Relatives and friends are invited to celebrate a Funeral Mass for Bill at ST. ANDREWS CATHOLIC CHURCH: 330 – 1st Street South, Vulcan, AB on Thursday January 28th at 2:00 p.m. with Reverend Ed Hospet Celebrant. Interment to follow at Vulcan Cemetery.

In memory of Bill, memorial donations may be made to the Canadian Legion – Branch #21, Box 175, Vulcan, AB T0L 2B0.

OKA-DILLON

It is with immense sadness that we announce the sudden passing of HAILEY MAY OKA-DILLON on Saturday, January 23, 2016 at the tender age of 7 at the Cardston Hospital.

Hailey was predeceased by her aunt Wylee Dillon and Janie First Rider; maternal grandfather Wilburt Day Chief; paternal great grandparents Henry & Angus Whitstone and Larry Dillon; great maternal grandparents Mary Louise & Mike Oka; great maternal uncles Peter Oka & Franklin Wells; great paternal uncles Randy Whitstone and Larry Dillon; great paternal aunt Doreen Dillon.

Born into the Fish Eaters Clan on May 6th, 2008 at the Lethbridge Hospital, AB to her mother Kennedy Oka and father Evan Dillon. Hailey’s love for water started from birth, as she got older you could always find her at the swimming pools in Cardston. Her “Pappa” Henry would drive her to The South Country Inn Hotel where the employees would allow Hailey to swim even if there was a private booking. Afterwards they would stop in at Dairy Queen, where she would order one of her favorites a “poutine” or “onion rings”. Hailey’s “Aunna” Roxanne was her spiritual teacher and taught her the importance of praying and smudging every morning. Hailey was very popular in the town of Cardston for her illuminous and contagious smile that made everyone feel her loving warmth that she carried. She was a social butterfly, making friends everywhere she went. Hailey’s love for animals was phenomenal, she was ecstatic when her mother Kennedy and Ryan got her a pony that she later named “Princess”. Ryan chased “Princess” around for hours and would not give up until he caught her, so he could lead Hailey around.

Hailey waited patiently but at the same time enjoyed bossing Ryan around. She was very excited when she found out “Princess” was expecting and would talk about it to her friends and family. She also had another horse “Easy” that she helped her “Pappa” Henry care for every day.

Hailey also had three dogs named Tyler, Morocco, and Laser. All of which were animals that were in need of a home and adopted by Hailey. Tyler was supposed to remain outside most of the time, however Hailey would sneak Tyler in and it was as if Tyler understood he needed to be quiet so they would both “tippy toe” back to her room. The next morning “Pappa” & “Aunna” would find this very large dog Tyler and Hailey sleeping together on her bed.

Hailey loved to travel to pow wows and rodeos during the summer. Hailey made her debut into the Southern Circuit Winter Series Timed Event “Tiny Tots” Barrel Racing. At the age of 3, she went to Las Vegas, and at the age of 6 she went to Disneyland with her aunty Santanita & uncle JC. Hailey was privileged to see her favorite characters Alsa, Anna, and Olaf from the movie Frozen. Hailey was star struck as they rode by in the daily Disneyland Parade since she was a Frozen “fanatic”. Hailey was fortunate enough to be a “flower girl” twice, once for her mother Kennedy’s wedding and also for her cousin Neyosa’s wedding.

She loved to dance and was notoriously known for her baby “shuffle” dance moves. At the age of one, her kokum and moshum, Vivian and Elliot had already taught her to speak Cree. Hailey was a natural dancer, she began her pow wow dancing at the age of 3. First starting in the Fancy Shawl category, and was planning on making her debut into Jingle dancing this summer.

Hailey would often spend weekends with her aunt Santanita and uncle JC, siblings Hayden and Kahleia. Hailey enjoyed movie nights with the family and shopping with her aunt Santanita. Hailey was a daughter and a sister to their family, and was a great cheerleader for her brother Hayden.

Left to mourn are her loving parents Kennedy (Ryan) Whitney, and Evans Dillon. Her maternal grandparents Henry & Roxanne Big Throat, and paternal grandparents Elliot & Vivian Dillon; also Aunt Santanita Oka & uncle JC Wells and Aunt Chelsea Dillon. Hailey was a proud sister to Roan, Hendrix, Brandon, Hayden, Kahleia, and Chikota. whom she will be dearly missed by.

Hailey also leaves to mourn her special aunts Tish & Germain Wells, Shawn Calf Robe, Candice & Tanya Big Throat, Ellie First Rider, Roxanne (Vincent) Crow Child, and Renae Whitney; uncles Lorne & Chad Wells, and Trooper (Shay) Whitney; extended family Day Chiefs, Red Crows, Whitneys, Okas, First Riders, Wells, Makokais’, Big Throats, Crop Eared Wolfs, Russells, and Thunderchilds.

We would like to give mention to Hailey’s neighborhood friends to whom she was very close to. Hailey was notorious for knocking on their doors at 8 o’clock in the morning to play, and would often get invited in for breakfast. The grade 2 class of the Cardston Elementary school, her teacher Allison Vornbrock, and the principal loved Hailey.

The family apologizes for any names that we may have missed. Hailey was well known to many although she was with us for only a short period of time.

The Wake Service will be held at the Moses Lake Community Hall, Blood Reserve on Thursday, January 28th from 7:00 to 11:00 p.m. The Funeral Mass will be held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Blood Reserve on Friday, January 29th at 11:00 a.m.

Condolences may be sent to: http://www.legacyfuneralhome.ca

1935 – 2016

FRANK SCHAFFER, passed away on Monday, January 25, 2016 at the age of 80 years, after a long battle with prostate cancer.

Frank is survived by his loving wife Judith, their children Gregory (Sally), Douglas (Lisa) and Susan (Denis) Letourneau as well as five grandchildren, Laurel, Claire, Neil, Cole and Ella. He was predeceased by his parents and siblings.

Frank much enjoyed XC skiing, hiking and gardening. Frank has chosen cremation and it is his wish that there be no funeral service.

To send a condolence, and in lieu of flowers, for memorial donation information, please visit http://www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com

1925 – 2016

Mrs. May Walker of Lethbridge, beloved wife of the late Mr. Jim Walker, passed away on Wednesday, January 27, 2016 at the age of 90 years.

Funeral arrangements to be announced when completed.

Visit http://www.mbfunerals.com to send a private condolence.

1972 – 2016

Mr. Kevin Weiss of Lethbridge, formerly of Taber, passed away on Wednesday, January 27, 2016 at the St. Michael’s Palliative Care Centre at the age of 43 years.

Funeral arrangements to be announced when completed.

Visit http://www.mbfunerals.com to send a private condolence.

1924 – 2016

Mrs. Maxine Woodward of Lethbridge, beloved wife of the late Mr. Robert Woodward, passed away on Wednesday, January 27, 2016 at the age of 91 years.

Funeral arrangements to be announced when completed.

Visit http://www.mbfunerals.com to send a private condolence.