Friday, January 31, 2025

By Lethbridge Herald Obituaries on January 31, 2025.

GRUNINGER, Michael “Mike” GRUNINGER It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Michael Francis Gruninger (Mike) at the Chinook Regional Hospital on January 24, 2025, at the age of 91 years.
A loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend, he will be sadly missed by his wife of 65 years, Faye, and his children, Rick (Danielle), Cheryl (Dean), Alice (Brandt), his grandchildren, Jillian (David), Jacey (Mitchell), Veronica (Troy), Emily (Bob), Angela, Jaylene, Claire, Andrea (Joel), Duane (Danielle) and his great grandchildren, Seth, Senna, and Oliver. He is also survived by his loving brothers, Joe (Diane) Gruninger, and Albert Gruninger. He will also be missed by his cat, Wally, whom only Dad could love.
Mike was predeceased by his parents, seven brothers and three sisters. Mike was also predeceased by some of his furry companions, Sam, Pepper, Salty and Jessie.
Born Mihaly Gyorgy, August 17, 1933, in Magyarpolany, Veszprem, Hungary, Mike came to Canada with his family in 1938 and adopted his stepfather’s name – Gruninger as his legal name. He married Faye Hodgdon on October 17, 1959. They moved to their farm at Whisky Gap in 1965 where they raised their family, farmed and ranched until retirement. In 2017 they moved to Lethbridge where he lived at home until his passing.
At Mike’s request, a private family service will be held on a “blue sky, sunny day with green grass and leaves and dandelions blooming”.
If desired, donations may be made to the Humane Society or Charity of choice.
To send a condolence please visit http://www.legacyfuneralhome.ca

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QUON, Vivian VIVIAN QUON 1959 – 2025 Vivian Quon of Lethbridge passed away at Chinook Regional Hospital on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, at the age of 66 years.
A Funeral Service will be held at 1:00 PM, on Friday, January 31, 2025, at MARTIN BROTHERS RIVERVIEW CHAPEL, 610-4 Street South, Lethbridge, Alberta, with Pastor Wayne Kwan, officiating. To watch the service via livestream please go to, https://www.mbfunerals.com/obituary/Vivian-Quon. A private family Interment will take place.
Visit http://www.mbfunerals.com to send a condolence.

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COLLINS, Loren LOREN COLLINS 1948 ~ 2025 Mr. Loren Collins of Skiff, beloved husband of Mrs. Diane Collins, passed away at the Taber Hospital on Friday, January 24, 2025, at the age of 76 years.
Loren was the only child born to John and Doris Collins and grew up two miles south of Skiff on the Collins farm. He started school in Skiff and then attended in Foremost. Farming was his passion but after school he held various jobs. The first one was at Altaglass in Medicine Hat, then he got a job at Haico Manufacturing in Lethbridge. He met the love of his life, Diane Hooge in Lethbridge and they were married March 29, 1969. They moved to the farm and Loren started farming with his Dad. Together they were blessed with two children, Simone and Dale. Loren enjoyed time spent with his family and through the years supported his children by attending many music recitals, volleyball and basketball games. That even continued on to his grandchildren, driving many miles to go to hockey games, sports games and dance recitals.
As young adults, Loren and Diane had great friends, from both Foremost and Skiff, that they spent a lot of time with. They would all get their families together and played cards, went snowmobiling and skiing in Whitefish. Such good memories.
Loren’s faith in Christ was important to him. He attended and supported the Foremost Evangelical Free Church and even led worship songs with Simone at the piano. He supported the Foremost Rodeo and was a director for the Foremost Golf Course and the Skiff Water Co-Op. Loren and Diane enjoyed golfing in Foremost for many years.
Loren had many passions, his family, his friends, farming and just life in general. He worked hard and played hard. He made a good life for himself and his family, was thinking ahead and always wanted that piece of land next to him. Loren was gifted with a great sense of humor. He could talk to anyone and soon you could hear them laughing. His presence blessed so many lives during family and church gatherings and at the places he had coffee with the guys in Skiff and Foremost. Loren was a very generous man to numerous people and especially to his family.
Loren and Diane did a lot of traveling throughout the years. When the kids were young, they went on summer vacations, trips out to Vancouver, and went to Disneyland, and Disney World. Loren and Diane travelled to many countries all over the world. Favorites destinations were Israel, China, Australia, New Zealand, Egypt and many trips to Hawaii. Collins reunions were a highlight for our family for over 30 years. When Loren and Diane had grandchildren, they started a tradition of going to their timeshare in Columbia Falls, MT. The first year they went as a family was in 2001 and have been going ever since. Also, many family trips to Yuma, AZ, a Caribbean cruise and Hawaii. Loren loved going to rodeos and drove many miles to attend them all over Alberta, Cheyenne, Denver, Houston and the NFR in Vegas.
In 2017, Loren was diagnosed with the early stages of Alzheimer’s. As the years went by, it did progress. After Diane lovingly cared and looked after him, he moved to Linden View in Taber in December 2023. We are extremely grateful for the workers who cared for him there.
Loren left a legacy for his family of hard work, generosity, and faith which we will carry forward and hold dear to us. He will be greatly missed
Besides his loving wife Diane, Loren is survived by Simone (Rod) Piper, Dale (Morgan Hope) Collins; grandchildren Candace (Cody) Roome, Brandon (Kayla) Piper, Austin (Aspen) Piper, Shaylee (Steven) Santangelo, Makoy Collins; great-grandchildren Connor, Carson, Callie Roome, Morgan, Rhett, Brooklyn Piper, Scotlyn and Sadie Piper, Layne and Tommy Santangelo.
Besides his loving parents John and Doris Collins, Loren was predeceased by his parents-in-law Walt and Erna Hooge.
A Funeral Service will be held at 2:00 pm on Monday, February 3, 2025, at FOREMOST COMMUNITY HALL, Foremost, Alberta. A private family Interment will follow at the Foremost Cemetery.
Flowers are gratefully declined. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Foremost Riding Arena c/o Foremost Ag Society, Box 338, Foremost, AB T0K 0X0
Visit http://www.mbfunerals.com to send a condolence.

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TAYLOR, Thomas “Tom” THOMAS “TOM” TAYLOR 1941 – 2025 Mr. Thomas “Tom” Taylor of Lethbridge, beloved husband of Mrs. Verna Taylor, passed away at Good Samaritans Park Meadows, on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, at the age of 83 years.
Cremation has been entrusted to Martin Brothers Riverview Chapel.
Visit http://www.mbfunerals.com to send a condolence.

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CRAIK, William “Bill” CRAIK WILLIAM “BILL” CRAIK, beloved husband of the late Christena “Ena” Craik, left this earth and breathed his first breath of heaven, on Saturday, January 11, 2025, in his 103rd year.
Bill is survived by his children: Eleanor (Vince) Tracey, Douglas (Sharon) Craik, and Nancy (Rob) Mitchell; and his dearly loved grandchildren: Shannon, Gillian, Caitlin, Stuart, Kyle, Riley and Megan.
Bill was born in Lethbridge, on March 20, 1922, to William and Isobel Craik. He was the eldest son and graciously took on the role to help provide for his widowed mother. His first real job was a farmhand, east of Milk River. This is where he met Ena Russell as a young teenager and they went on many adventures together as part of a group of friends. In 1942, Bill enlisted for active duty with the Canadian Armed Forces in the WWII effort and was assigned to the Loyal Edmonton Regiment. In June of that year, he left for the Mediterranean and fought in the campaign in Sicily. They then moved on to the liberation of Italy and then on to Holland, where they joined forces with the Fifth Canadian Armored Division. His company was chosen to be part of the Canadian Battalion that went to Berlin to participate in the British Victory Parade. On the reviewing stand was General Eisenhower, Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces in western Europe, plus the Prime Minister of Great Britain, Winston Churchill. On November 14, 1945, he was honourably discharged from the Canadian Army and went back to civilian life.
Bill began dating Ena upon his return and they were married on December 10, 1948. They built their family home together, raised their family and created many happy memories in that “yellow house” right up until September of last year.
Dad had a keen interest in farming and farmed much of the land surrounding the city that has now been swallowed up with housing. His full-time job was as the local milkman for Purity Dairies, and later a retail supervisor for Palm Dairies. Everyone knew “Bill the Milkman” and he was known for giving out popsicles. He retired the last horse and buggy in Lethbridge before their operations moved to vehicles.
Dad was an accomplished athlete, playing hockey, slow pitch, bowling and golf, continuing to play golf until he was 101. He golfed his age when he was 98 and he earned himself three “hole-in-one”s in his lifetime. Dad also took up square dance calling a little later in life which gave he and Mom many opportunities to travel to many destinations and make lifelong friends.
Dad loved music and dancing and many memories were made listening to gospel and country music. He enjoyed singing in the St. Andrew’s choir for many years and served as an elder in his church as well.
Much of our time growing up was spent with family basking in God’s creation, with camping and fishing being a favorite of his. Dad worked hard all his life to provide for his family, and then was blessed with a long and healthy retirement.
More importantly Dad was a kind and gentle soul. He was a man of few words, but oh he loved fiercely. Serving his country attested to this: John 15:13 says “Greater love has no one than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” One of his many attributes was loyalty. He was loyal to his faith, his family and his beloved Toronto Maple Leafs.
The greatest gift we were given by our parents was faith. Their commitment to raising us to know God gave us the foundation to seek Jesus on our own. Dad declared Jesus as his Saviour and waited for the day He would call him home according to His sovereign will and plan.
A huge void is now left in our family, but there is unspeakable joy bursting from our hearts for the gift of his life, his love, and his legacy which is because of the work of Jesus on the cross, he has crossed over from death to life, and is now clothed in the righteousness of Jesus Christ, His Redeemer.
A Memorial Service will be held at ST. ANDREW’S PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 1818 – 5th Avenue South, Lethbridge, AB, on Saturday, February 8, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Daniel Surya officiating.

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

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ROERICK, Lillian ROERICK LILLIAN CHRISTINE (RUTTAN) ROERICK, beloved wife of the late O. William Roerick, passed away on Wednesday January 29, 2025 at the age of 99 years.
A private Memorial Service will be held in her honour.
In lieu of flowers please consider contributing to your local Humane Society or animal shelter.
To send a condolence, please visit http://www.salmonandsons.ca

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SIMANTON, Raymond “Ray” RAYMOND “RAY” SIMANTON 1943 – 2025 It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Ray Simanton on January 28, 2025.
Ray passed away suddenly at Chinook Regional Hospital.
He is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Ann; his children Tom Simanton and LaDonna (Lorne) Hammel; his 8 loving grandchildren: Meagan (Mike), Kristin (Dylan), Cale, Tristan, Janelle (Anthony), Darian V, Talynn (Darion L), Katelan (Darian W); 4 great grandchildren; brothers Ron Simanton, Vern (Val) Simanton; sister Shirley (Richard) Walters; sister-in-law Edie Simanton; brother-in-law Tom (Beth) Harty; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Ray was predeceased by his parents Ed and Hazel Simanton; parents-in-law Tom and Bertha Harty; brother Bob Simanton; and sisters-in-law Theresa (Ron) Boyce and Sarah Simanton.
Ray was born in Lethbridge and raised on the family farm near Nemiscam. He had many jobs as a young man along with helping on the family farm. He met Ann (nee Harty) while she was working in Lethbridge, and they were married on May 25, 1968. They purchased a farm a few miles away from the family farm where he was born and raised. They were surprised by the birth of their twins LaDonna and Tom during a blizzardy winter night in February 1972.
Ray farmed with his brother until Vern retired and then continued farming with his son Tom until their auction sale in March 2007. Ray and Ann continued to live on the farm until moving to Lethbridge in 2016.
While farming and raising his children, Ray was very involved in many community organizations in the Foremost area. The 8 grandchildren were his pride and joy. Besides farming, he loved to hunt, boat, waterski, golf and curl. Their yard at the farm was a proud source of accomplishment with many hours of hauling water for the trees and grass, building and maintaining the dirt bike track for the grandkids and harrowing the gravel in the yard.
A Celebration of Ray’s Life will be held at 1:00pm on Wednesday, February 5, 2025, at MARTIN BROTHERS RIVERVIEW CHAPEL, 610 – 4 Street South, Lethbridge, Alberta.
Flowers are gratefully declined. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, https://www.heartandstroke.ca/
Cremation entrusted to Martin Brothers Funeral Chapels.
Visit http://www.mbfunerals.com to send a condolence.

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HANSON, Beatrice “Bea” HANSON It is with great sadness we announce the peaceful passing of Beatrice “Bea” Hanson, on Tuesday, January 21st, 2025, at the age of 88 years.
Bea is survived by her three children, Debi (James) Wiersma, Bob (Tracey) Hanson, and Barb Hanson, six grandchildren, Caitlin, Cody (Samantha), Andie (Delwin), Parker, Ashley, and Micaila; three great-grandchildren, Austin, Rowan, and Xavier. She is also survived by her brother, Don (Lyla) McLaren, and their children Tracy, David, and Leanne.
She was predeceased by her husband, Robert “Bob” Hanson, parents, Connie and Roy McLaren, and her little sister Kathy McLaren.
A private family celebration of life will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests a donation in Bea’s name to the Alzheimer Association at http://www.alzheimer.ca

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

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NELSON, Curtis CURTIS NELSON 1957 – 2025 Mr. Curtis Nelson of Lethbridge, beloved husband of Mrs. Sharon Nelson, passed away unexpectedly in Calgary at the South Health Campus on Sunday, January 26, 2025, at the age of 67 years.
Funeral arrangements will be announced once completed.
Visit http://www.mbfunerals.com to send a condolence.

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KOPP, Judith “Judy” JUDITH “JUDY” KOPP 1946 – 2025 Mrs. Judith “Judy” Evelyn Kopp of Lethbridge passed away at Buffalo Grace Manor, on Sunday, January 26, 2025, at the age of 78 years.
A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 pm, on Saturday, February 1, 2025, at MARTIN BROTHERS RIVERVIEW CHAPEL, 610-4 STREET SOUTH, Lethbridge, Alberta.
Interment will follow at Archmount Cemetery.
For those who wish, donations may be made to Girl Guides of Canada.
Visit http://www.mbfunerals.com to send a condolence.

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