Tuesday, February 18, 2025

By Lethbridge Herald Obituaries on February 18, 2025.

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.

CROW CHIEF, Clinton “Cory”

CROW CHIEF Clinton “Cory” Crow Chief passed away on February 6, 2025 in Fort Macleod, Alberta at the age of 40 years.
A wake service will be held at the Senator Gladstone Hall, Blood Reserve, Alberta on Thursday, February 20, 2025 from 6:00 – 11:00 pm. A funeral service will also be at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Blood Reserve on Friday, February 21 at 11:00 am. Interment to follow at Crow Chief Family Cemetery, Blood Reserve.
To send a condolence please visit http://www.legacyfuneralhome.ca

PREDDY, Gloria

GLORIA PREDDY 1940 – 2025 Mrs. Gloria Preddy of Lethbridge, beloved wife of Mr. Graham Preddy, passed away at Good Samaritan Society Park Meadows Village on Friday, February 14, 2025, at the age of 84 years.
Besides her loving husband of 63 years, Graham, Gloria is survived by her two sons, Grant (Karen) and Glenn (Stacey); grandchildren Alex, Wilson, Graham, and Griffin; beloved sister Marina Melanson; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and their families.
It is a comfort to know she is now reunited with her youngest son Greg, who predeceased her, and the pain of his loss has ended for her.
Her family acknowledges with sincere appreciation the compassionate and attentive care provided to her by the staff at Good Samaritan Park Meadows Village and are grateful for the ongoing care and support for Graham.
Cremation has been entrusted to Martin Brothers Funeral Chapel.
In keeping with her wishes, Gloria will be privately remembered by her family and friends.
Flowers are gratefully declined. Those who wish to do so, may make memorial donations to the charity of their choosing.
Visit http://www.mbfunerals.com to send a condolence.

YAMASHITA, Hoshiko “Rose”

HOSHIKO “ROSE” YAMASHITA 1932 – 2025 Mrs. Hoshiko “Rose” Yamashita of Lethbridge, beloved wife of the late Mr. Nobuo “Nobby” Yamashita passed away peacefully with family at her side, at St. Michael’s Palliative Care Unit on Friday, February 14, 2025, at the age of 92 years.
Funeral arrangements to be announced when completed.
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.

MATE, Margje “Mary”

MATE MARGJE “MARY” MATE (née VANDER HULST), passed away peacefully with her family by her side, in Lethbridge, AB on February 11, 2025, at the age of 79 years.
Mary was born, June 6th, 1945 in Dedemsvaart, Holland. She immigrated to Canada with her family in 1956.
Mary is survived by her partner, Ron Andre, and her son, Louis (Sherry) Mate, as well as, her brother, John Vander Hulst, sister, Trudy Vander Hulst, Grandchildren; Brittany, Courtney, Cj, Melinda, Tommy, Ashlyn, Kendall, and many great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Mary was predeceased by her late husband, Louis Mate Sr., her daughter, Lou-Ann Mate, her parents, Roelof and Jentje Vander Hulst, sister, Jean Mazacs, and brothers; Jake, Claas and Harry.
The family would like to thank the staff at St. Michaels for the wonderful care Mary received.
As per the family wishes, a private graveside service will be held. Cremation entrusted to Cornerstone Funeral Home.

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

WAN, Sim

WAN SIM YIP WAN, beloved wife of the late Yat Ming Wan, passed away peacefully at the Calgary Foothills Medical Centre on Saturday, February 1, 2025 at the age of 92 years.
As per Sim Yip’s wishes, a private family service will be held.

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

PHARIS, Barbara

BARBARA PHARIS 1937 – 2025 Mrs. Barbara Pharis of Lethbridge, beloved wife of the late Mr. Max Pharis, passed away at St. Michael’s Palliative Care on Thursday, February 13, 2025 at the age of 87 years.
A Memorial Service for Barbara will be held in the following months.
Visit http://www.mbfunerals.com to send a condolence.

GUNN, Richard “Kim”

RICHARD “KIM” GUNN 1949 – 2025 Richard “Kim” Gunn of Lethbridge passed away on Sunday, February 16, 2025 due to complications of cancer. He leaves to mourn his wife, Barbara Boulton-Gunn and numerous extended family.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.
Visit http://www.mbfunerals.com to send a condolence.