Saturday, February 15, 2025

By Lethbridge Herald Obituaries on February 15, 2025.

TAJIRI, Lily

LILY TAJIRI Born Lily Yuriko Yamamoto on April 5th, 1932 in Port Hammond British Columbia.
Lil passed quietly in Lethbridge on February 2nd, 2025 at the age of 92.
Having married and raising her family in Lethbridge, she was a dedicated wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother.
She is predeceased by her husband Nobby.
She leaves behind sons Alan (Ivania), Michael (Deborah) and daughters Joanne (Leon) and Michele (Kevin).
Lil was a proud grandma to Naomi (Brent), Evan (Dani), Erin (Dallas), Brien (Shelby), Blake (Allie), Erik and Caoilin. She was an even prouder great grandma to Lyla, Jake and Benson.
Lil is survived by her sister May Matsumiya, brother Ken Yamamoto, sister in law June Tajiri and many nieces and nephews.
Lil was the “True North” for her kids and will be dearly missed.
As per Lily’s wishes, a private family Memorial Service will be held.
To send a condolence, please visit http://www.salmonandsons.ca

MILLS, Kenneth “Ken”

KENNETH “KEN” MILLS 1929 – 2025 Kenneth Mills of Lethbridge, Alberta, beloved husband of the late Evelyn (Ev) Mills, passed away peacefully at Good Samaritan West on February 1, 2025, thirty-eight days short of his 96th birthday.
Ken was known as husband, Dad, Grandpa, GG (great- grandpa), uncle, cousin, friend, and Ken Classic.
Cherished father of Ruth Mills (Todd Smaridge) of Ottawa, Glenn Mills (Eleanor Livingstone-Mills) of Lethbridge, Donald Mills (deceased) (Merna Mills) of Lacombe, and Janice Blumhagen (Lyle) of Drumheller. Also missing him are his grandchildren Aarin Gillespie (Myles), Matthew Mills (Brandi), James Mills (Annette), Kendra Blumhagen (Aidan McKibben), Witten Blumhagen (Alix Gordon-Moran), Sheena Mills, Cameron Mills (Julia Case), Tess Mills (David Hlady), Islie Mills, Alex Smaridge (Mike Kovacs), as well as his eleven great-grandchildren Alice, Wolfric, Barrett, Bucklee, Olivia, Rily, Sierra, Julian, Meika, Persephone, Lachlan, Callahan, and dear friend Lena Laidlaw.
Predeceased by his parents (Thomas H Mills and Ida (Fuller)), brother Don Mills (Florence), sister Marjorie Spencer (Harold), wife Evelyn (Norman), son Don, grandsons Evan and Andrew.
Born in Regina, he attended Scott Collegiate and apprenticed as a linotype operator at the Leader Post. He met his wife, Ev, in Regina and then moved to Lethbridge where he worked at The Lethbridge Herald. They raised four rambunctious children and kept busy with activities at McKillop United Church. He was a member of the Senior Choir, property & maintenance committee, and AOTS.
He volunteered for Lethbridge Musical Theatre and was a member of the Rotary Club. Summers and special holidays were filled camping and travelling to visit family. After the kids were bigger, Ken and Ev resumed their cross-country skiing, speed skating, hiking and travelling to visit family who were living in tropical locations.
After Ev died, Ken moved to Martha’s House where he enjoyed the friendship of new and old friends and was rarely out of the company of his dear friend Lena. More recently he moved to Good Samaritan West.
A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 PM, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2025, AT MCKILLOP UNITED CHURCH, 2329 15TH AVENUE SOUTH, LETHBRIDGE, Alberta. A reception will follow.
To attend the Memorial Service via livestream, please visit https://www.mckillopunited.ca/funerals.
In lieu of flowers, those who wish to, may donate to The Heart and Stroke Foundation or the Alzheimer’s Society of Canada.
Visit http://www.mbfunerals.com to send a condolence.

PASKUSKI, Albert

ALBERT PASKUSKI 1936 – 2025 It is with great sadness that the family of Albert (Ab) Paskuski announce his passing on February 1, 2025. His family is comforted by the fact that he was able to remain in his own home and passed peacefully in his sleep.
Ab was born at the Galt Hospital on July 28, 1936, to Nester and Gladys Paskuski. He was very proud to be a Galt Baby. He attended the old Westminster school, now the Tim Hortons on 5th Ave. North, Hamilton Junior High and LCI. At LCI he played hockey, volleyball and basketball. He said he also played football for one week under coach Jim Whitelaw who became a lifelong friend and colleague. Following a year working at Broders Canning Factory, he attended the University of Alberta in Calgary for two years, taught at Hamilton Junior High for a year and then returned to university to complete his BEd. He was proud of having a Bachelor’s degree, the first in his family, but often commented his life as a bachelor was short lived as he married Jeanne in November, 1960. He returned to teach at Hamilton Junior High and in 1962- 63 served as the assistant supervisor of Physical Education. He then joined the staff of LCI in 1963 teaching and coaching and was appointed as assistant principal in 1967. He remained there until 1984. He then decided to teach at the elementary level and was assistant principal at Fleetwood Bawden and Lakeview until his retirement in 1993. While teaching he also attended summer schools at the University of Calgary and earned a BA in History in 1967. In 1969 he attended the University of Oregon and earned an MEd in Administration in 1970.
Ab served on the local and provincial ATA as well as a number of community boards including the 1975 Winter Games. He was inducted into the Sports Hall of Fame as a Builder. He curled in the teachers’ league and bowled for many years with the KKids – a team of teachers from LCI. He was named the 1959 Male Athlete of the Year at the University of Calgary, the first year the award was given. He played the mandolin and the saxophone and started piano lessons late in life but did not make the time to practice so was told to quit both by his teacher and his wife. Music was important to him and he was extremely proud of his three sons who play guitar, bass, saxophone and piano to this day.
Ab was extremely witty and funny. He could make anyone laugh at a moment’s notice. He emceed ATA events, often providing people with a Ukrainian proverb which always ended with a personal note. Wherever he went, even to the dentist, there would be laughter emanating from the room he was in. His humour was spontaneous and unique. Ab was loved and respected by his colleagues and his students. He could not go many places without meeting a former student who wanted to say hello. He remembered them all plus the nicknames he had given them as well as their families and what they did.
He adored his sons and grandchildren and would do anything for them, so they soon learned not to mention anything in passing that they liked as it would show up on the doorstep the next day. He loved watching his sons and grandsons play hockey and soccer and his granddaughter dancing. He attended every event he could. In the last 11 years even when he was becoming confused, he would frequently ask that we be sure to “get the kids some fries, chocolate bars etc.” Whenever the grandkids stayed over, he regaled them with made-up funny bedtime stories.
He endured a great deal following his brain surgeries in 2013 and the following years of his life. Despite his hardships, he always made everyone laugh with his mannerisms and his comments, bringing so much joy to us all.
Ab is survived by his wife of 64 years, Jeanne; his three sons, Randy (Michelle), Geoffrey (Anna) and Gregory; his grandchildren Sam (Teanna), Theo, Talia and Cole; sisters-in-law Judith Hutchison and Vera Paskuski; nieces Gail Gibb, (Larry) Karen Nyrose, (Blair) Debbie Lutz (Greg); and nephews Gary (Lori) Paskuski, Brian (Anabela) Paskuski, Rodney (Allison) Hackney, Claude (Ana) Hackney, Micheal (Theresa) Hackney, and Tim Hackney.
He was predeceased by his parents, Nester and Gladys Paskuski; brothers George and Roy; his mother and father-in-law, Audrey and Geoffrey Stevens; his sisters-in-law Donna Hackney and Wanda Paskuski; brothers-in-law Claude Hackney and Wray Hutchison and his nephew Daryl Paskuski.
The family would like to thank the health care aides who supported Ab and the family. There were many over the years but those who were here in the last years became part of the family- Paul Fijo, who helped with Ab from day one, Mackenzie Hickman, Tosisiye Jegede, Tamara Thornhill, Rami Ghoul, Abena Asiedu, Fuoma Ugbowanko, and Precious Nnabuife,
A private family ceremony will be held. A Celebration of Life is planned for a future date.
If people so choose donations in Ab’s name may be made to PARP at St. Michael’s Health Centre, or the Alzheimer’s Society.
Visit http://www.mbfunerals.com to send a condolence.

SCHROEDER, Harold

HAROLD SCHROEDER 1936 – 2025 Dr. Harold (Hal) John Schroeder, aged 88, of Lethbridge died peacefully at home on February 2, 2025.
Harold was predeceased by his parents Wilhem and Sara (Doerksen) Schroeder, his first wife Willo (Sutherland), siblings Bill (Hilda Ens), Sally (Frank Isaac), George (Helen Steer), Elfreida (John Bergman) and Wally (Jennie Oshanski) as well as his brother-in-law Bob Loewen.
He is survived by his loving wife and best friend Mary Fulton-Schroeder, son Timothy (Amanda Thomas), daughter Jennifer (Sheldon Dyck), stepdaughters Nancy, Cindy and Rebecca Johnson and stepson Allan (Karen Brown). He was the deeply loved and devoted Grandpa of Jennifer Horkoff (Keiron Hayes), Shawn Johnson, Alexandria Middleton (Zach Strauss), Dustyn Schroeder, Lucas Middleton, Julian Higgins, James Johnson, Noah Higgins, Kayla Guzzi (Nik), Kendra Dyck (Julian Williams) and William Schroeder as well as the most tender great grandfather to Felix Strauss and Addison Toews. He is also survived by his sister Mary Loewen of Steinbach, Manitoba and his brother Len and sister-in-law Mary of Kelowna as well as numerous cousins, nieces and nephews across Canada who were always important to him.
Harold was born in a farmhouse just north of Rosengard, Manitoba on August 22, 1936. He lived on the mixed farm for nearly eleven years attending the Rosengard one-room school to the completion of grade five. In 1947 the family moved to east Steinbach where he completed grade six and then spent the next six years attending Steinbach Collegiate Institute.
Following some jobs in the auto and mining industries, he graduated with a B. Comm. Degree from the University of Manitoba in 1965. After studying toward an M.B.A. at the University of British Columbia he returned to Winnipeg to serve as a senior internal management and systems auditor for a national retailer. During this time in Manitoba, Harold and Willo were married on February 25, 1967. In 1968 he made a drastic career change from management and auditing to teaching. After a year in the Kenora, Ontario campus of Confederation College, he joined the Faculty of Commerce at St. Mary’s University in Halifax in 1969. He would say later the job in Kenora made him realize he loved teaching and wanted a career in it.
In 1973 Harold embarked on a program of inter-disciplinary studies in Ethics and Business involving the Midwestern Theological Seminary in Kansas, Missouri and the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. In 1974, while at St. Mary’s, the Mennonite Brethren Church hired him to preach for one year.
In 1975, following a year back at St. Mary’s, Harold and Willo with their two children moved from Halifax to Los Angeles to start his inter-disciplinary Ph.D. studies in Social Ethics and Business Policy and Strategy. With coursework completed, he rejoined St. Mary’s in 1977 and later completed his dissertation and other degree requirements.
In 1981 Harold joined the University of Lethbridge as a founding member of the School of Management. In 1985 he was selected to serve as a one-semester exchange professor at Hokkai-Gakuen University in Sapporo, Japan.
In 1987, his first wife Willo died, and Harold spent the next six years as a single dad of two teenagers.
In 1989 he met Mary Johnson, and they married in 1993 and with his usual grace he became the stepdad to four young adults.
In 1999 he was selected by the Canadian Federation of Business School Deans to serve on a team of four Canadian instructors conducting a series of courses for practicing managers at the University of Economics in Bratislava, Slovakia. In 2000 he was again selected for the professor exchange program in Hokkai-Gakuen University in Japan. In 2002 he was asked to delay his retirement to spend a summer at the Edmonton campus of the University of Lethbridge to teach and provide some mentoring in the Strategic Management course. He retired in 2003 after 22 years at the University of Lethbridge.
During much of his career at two universities Harold was very involved in the broader academic community. He served in the management of the Administrative Sciences Association of Canada (ASAC) for nine years, with three years at the divisional level and six years on the national executive, including two years as treasurer. In the latter part of his career, he got very involved in case research and authored numerous cases. “Bringing real-life management cases to the classroom”, especially for students in western Canada, increasingly became his passion as he was approaching the end of his career. In the mid-1990s he led a group of University of Lethbridge faculty members and several other case researchers in a case writing project which culminated in several editions of Cases and Readings in Strategic Management, edited by him. Published by Nelson Canada, it became the first custom case publishing project in Canada.
Over the years, he was frequently invited to serve on expert panels to promote case research and assist aspiring case researchers at conferences of the North American Case Research Association (NACRA), the World Association for Business and Society, the World Association for Case Research and Application (WACRA) and various regional associations. In the role he influenced or mentored numerous younger case researchers from places like Ukraine, Poland, Austria, Germany, Slovenia, Spain, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Latvia, Ireland, Scotland, Sweden, Japan and various locations in the US and Canada. In 1996 one of his cases was selected for the plenary session of the WACRA conference in Warsaw, Poland. In 1997 he was given the outstanding service to the world case research community award at the WACRA conference in Edinburgh, Scotland. On many occasions he also served as reviewer for The Case Research Journal published by NACRA.
Harold was a long and active member of McKillop United Church and for many years served on Presbytery.
Above all his accomplishments Harold was deeply loved and loved deeply.
A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 pm, Saturday, February 15, 2025, at the MCKILLOP UNITED CHURCH, 2329 15 AVE SOUTH, LETHBRIDGE, Alberta, with Reverend Trevor Potter officiating.
To watch the Service via livestream, please visit http://www.mckillopunited.ca/funerals.
Flowers are gratefully declined. In lieu of flowers, for those who wish, a donation in Harold’s memory may be made to a food bank of their choosing.
Visit http://www.mbfunerals.com to send a condolence.

WIRZBA, Bernard

BERNARD WIRZBA 1959 – 2025 Bernard (Bernie) Wirzba, beloved husband of Cecilia Nicolas passed away unexpectedly at home in Lethbridge Alberta on Friday January 31, 2025, at the age of 65.
A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 pm, on Saturday, February 22, 2025, at MARTIN BROTHERS RIVERVIEW CHAPEL, 610-4 STREET SOUTH, Lethbridge, Alberta.
A Private family Interment will be held at Mountain View Cemetery.
Visit http://www.mbfunerals.com to send a condolence.

BULLOCK, David

DAVID LEE BULLOCK 1926 – 2025 Mr. David Lee Bullock of Lethbridge, beloved husband of the late Mrs. Nelda Bullock, passed away at Farimont Extendicare on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, at the age of 98 years.
Friends may meet the family on Wednesday, February 19, 2025 from 10:00 to 10:45 am at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Forestry Chapel (4105 Forestry Ave S, Lethbridge). The Funeral Service will begin at 11:00am.
Inurnment to follow at Magrath Cemetery.
To send condolences, please visit http://www.generationsfh.ca

EAGLE SPEAKER, Ike

EAGLE SPEAKER Ike Eagle Speaker, beloved spouse to Geraldine, passed away on February 10, 2025 on the Blood Reserve, Alberta at the age of 81 years.
A wake service will be held at the Senator Gladstone Hall, Blood Reserve, Alberta on Monday, February 17, 2025 from 6:00 – 11:00 pm. A funeral service will also be at St. Paul’s Anglican Church on Tuesday, February 18 at 1:00 pm. Interment to follow at St. Paul’s cemetery, Blood Reserve.
To send a condolence please visit http://www.legacyfuneralhome.ca

BAKER, Larry

BAKER, Larry James Maurice 1950 – 2025 It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Larry James Maurice Baker, who passed away at home on February 12, 2025, at the age of 74.
Larry was born to Camille Baker and Elizabeth Engleson on May 13, 1950. He attended Galbraith Elementary School in Lethbridge before continuing his education at high school in Taber.
Larry was father to Jasmin (Travis) and grandfather to Nora and Jade Malzahn of Lethbridge, AB. He will also be fondly remembered by his sisters, Gail Hornberger of Diamond City, AB, and Cynette (Bill) Braun of Victoria, BC, as well as many nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his parents, his sister Shelly Williams, his brother Camille Baker, his brother-in-law Darol Hornberger, and his nephew Lance Hornberger.
A celebration of Larry’s life will be held at a later date.
To send condolences, please visit http://www.generationsfh.ca

GOUTHREAU, Sean

GOUTHREAU SEAN CLIFTON GOUTHREAU, of Coalhurst, devoted son and father, passed away peacefully at the Chinook Regional Hospital on Tuesday, February 4, 2025 at the age of 57 years.
A Celebration of Sean’s life will be held at the COALHURST LEGION, 5205 – 6 Street, Coalhurst, AB, on Saturday, February 15, 2025 from 12:00 Noon to 3:00 P.M.

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

FRANK, Lois

FRANK LOIS VALERIE FRANK “Lipamaqnihkiaaki- Singing Across (Water), beloved wife of the late Harley Gregory Frank “A’tsis’tomahka – Running Rabbit”, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family at the Chinook Regional Hospital on Wednesday, February 12, 2025 at the age of 69.
A Wake will be held at CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME, 2825 – 32 Street South, Lethbridge, AB, on Wednesday, February 19, 2025 from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at ST. MARTHA’S CATHOLIC CHURCH, 355 Columbia Blvd. West, Lethbridge, AB, on Thursday, February 20, 2025 at 11:00 A.M. with Father William Monis celebrating.
Following the Funeral Mass, Lois will be laid to rest in Spring Coulee Cemetery.

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

MACKOR, Melissa

MACKOR MELISSA ANN MACKOR, of Lethbridge, AB, beloved daughter of Margaret Mackor, passed away on Wednesday, February 12, 2025 at the age of 55 years.
As per Melissa’s wishes, a private family service will be held.

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

NELSON, Ed

Ed Nelson 1951 – 2025 Edward Floyd Nelson, passed away on Friday, February 7, 2025 at the age of 73 years. The Funeral Service will be held at Southland Funeral Chapel, 5006 – 48 Avenue, Taber on Friday, February 28, 2025 at 1:00 P.M. Burial to follow at Wrentham Cemetery. Condolences may be forwarded by visiting our website at http://www.southlandfuneral.com. Those who are unable to attend and wish to view the service online may do so by visiting Ed’s obituary page on our website and clicking on the livestream link that will be available at 12:45 P.M. on Friday, February 28, 2025. Barring any technical difficulties, the livestream will begin at 1:00 P.M. Ed is survived by his daughters Trina Nelson of Taber and her son Damian and Amanda Nelson (Lani) of Nobleford and her daughters Kairi and Freya and step children Logan, Jesse and Kara. He was the second oldest of five boys and is survived by his three younger brothers Rod (Shirley) Nelson, Bill Nelson, Gerry (Heather) Nelson and by numerous nieces and nephews and great nieces and great nephews. He was predeceased by his parents Mildred and Roy Nelson, his older brother Dan Nelson and his niece Ashley Woolf. He was an amazing man and will be missed by all who had the privilege to meet him. Forever in our hearts. If friends so desire, memorial tributes in Ed’s name may be made directly to STARS Donations, 1441 Aviation Park NE, PO Box 570, Calgary, AB T2E 8M7 (www.stars.ca). Arrangements in care of Southland Funeral Chapel, Taber. Telephone: (403) 223-8778.