FRIDAY, January 25, 2019

By Lethbridge Herald Obituaries on January 25, 2019.

ALLISON

MR. GARRY LAWRENCE ALLISON, beloved husband of Mary Allison of Coalhurst, passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 20, 2019 in Lethbridge at the age of 77 years. He is also the loving father of Kathy Winfield of Tucson Arizona, Shannon (Larry) Gordon of Edmonton AB, Jason (Sherida) Allison of Edmonton AB, Jackie (Myrle) Rodgers of Lethbridge AB, T-Jay Allison of Coalhurst AB, Cheyenne Allison of Lethbridge AB and Melissa Allison of Coalhurst AB. Garry also has 20 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. He was predeceased by his father Andrew Allison, mother Lily Allison and step mother Mona Allison. Garry was born in Lethbridge on December 10, 1941. He served as Sports Editor of the Lethbridge Herald as well as District Editor, City Editor and at the end of his career in 2002, he was the Outdoors Editor. Garry moved into the Lethbridge Herald’s sports department fulltime in 1974, after spending 1957 to 1974 as a printer with the paper. An avid rodeo fan, he covered the sport throughout Southern Alberta from the mid 1960’s until his retirement in 2002. Garry was able to attend the first ten Canadian Finals Rodeos as well as numerous Calgary Stampedes and North American Amateur Championship rodeos in Denver, Colorado and El Paso, Texas. He also covered uncountable rodeos and horse races on the Kainai and Piikani reserves. Garry earned the Thompson Newspaper National and Regional awards for achievement, national awards and local awards for his extensive coverage of rodeo, high school sports and the outdoors. In 1979, he won the Max Bell Memorial Award for outstanding coverage of amateur sports in Alberta, and as a result he is enshrined in the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame as well as the Lethbridge Sports Hall of Fame. He has received the Canadian Professional Rodeo Cowboys Associations Jimmy Brown award for rodeo coverage in Canada, on the national and local level. He has been honoured by the Alberta and Lethbridge Fish and Game Associations, as well as Trout Unlimited Canada’s Lethbridge Chapter. In non-sports fields the General Stewart Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion, Korean War Veteran’s Association, the Great Canadian Plains Railway Society and the town of Coalhurst have all honoured him. Garry was given a special Blackfoot name, Piitaominni, (Eagle Wing), by the Piikani Nation through the Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump Interpretive Center in 1996. Garry was a member of the Head-dress Society of the Kainai Nation and in 2000 was honoured by the National Aboriginal Day at Fort Whoop Up. In 2002 he received the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal. Garry also spent ten years coaching high school girl’s basketball, nine at Coalhurst and one at Winston Churchill, coaching senior girls for eight of those years. He was also an organizer, along with the late Bill Binning, of the Lethbridge LDS Father and Son Banquet which ran from the late 1970s into the 1980s. Garry was a former member of the 702 Wing, vice-president of the Lethbridge Historical Society and was a 31-year member of the General Stewart Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion. Since retiring in 2002, Garry continued writing for the Rocky Mountain Turf Club. He also wrote several history books for the Lethbridge Historical Society and the Lethbridge Exhibition. Garry and his wife Mary have been married for 55 years. They also were foster parents for 32 years, caring for 78 children. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him. The Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, January 26, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 560 Highlands Blvd W, Lethbridge. Friends may meet with the family prior to the service from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. Interment will follow in the Mountain View Cemetery, Lethbridge.

To send condolences, please visit http://www.generationsfh.ca

CRAIG

After a week-long stay in hospital, JAMES ARTHUR “JIM” CRAIG lost his battle with cancer, flu and pneumonia on Tuesday, January 22, 2019 at the age of 86 years.

He leaves behind his beloved wife of 63 years, Lorelli, his sons, Scott and Mike, his grandchildren, Madison and Devun, his nephew, Lawrie and his niece, Tami of the United States, as well as numerous cousins.

He was predeceased by his parents, Roy & Ruth Craig and his brother, Gordon.

James Arthur Craig was born on March 17, 1932 and lived on the family farm northwest of Barons. He attended the Barons School. On October 29, 1955, he married Lorelli and they farmed until 1963 before moving to Lethbridge. His big break came in 1967 when the University of Lethbridge accepted its first “mature” students. By 1970 the job market for teachers had dried up, causing him to abandon his dream; however, in the last week of August that year, he landed a job at Fleetwood-Bawden teaching the sixth grade, where he remained until his retirement in 1993. He had finished his degree in 1972, and he and Lorelli graduated together.

Retirement meant Jim could do all the things he enjoyed. He was a wonderful gardener and the backyard always looked like a pristine park. He was an avid reader of newspapers, fictions and biographies. He would start every day with a crossword puzzle and would end with a long walk or bike ride through Indian Battle Park – weather permitting. He played the piano and was known for his skills as a handyman. His tech support skills, on the other hand, were notorious for bringing out his “colourful” vocabulary. He cooked meals, baked bread and concocted delightful desserts.

The Craigs enjoyed having friends over, the symphony and University of Lethbridge productions. They also loved traveling, with New York and Italy topping the list of Jim’s favourite places.

We will miss Jim’s wit, his laid-back demeanor and his great ability to be a true friend. He embraced life and lived every day to the fullest.

By request, there will be no formal funeral service. Jim will be cremated and there will be a get-together at a later date.

Flowers are respectfully declined. If desired, a donation may be made to the charity of your choice.

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

DUDLEY

Robert Earle “Bob” Dudley, beloved husband of the late Bessie (Orr) Dudley, passed away in Cardston, AB on Sunday, January 20th, 2019 at the age of 91. Funeral services will be held on Friday, February 1st, 2019 at 11:00 am at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints chapel located at 5927 Tipton Rd NW, Calgary, AB. Friends may meet the family at the Church from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. prior to the Service. Interment to follow at Mountain View Memorial Gardens, Calgary. Remembrances in his honour may be sent to the chapel the morning of the service.

EGGLI

Nov. 24, 1920 – Jan. 21, 2019

MABLE HELEN EGGLI (née Wilcox), beloved wife of the late Dolphe Eggli, passed away peacefully at St. Therese Villa on Monday, January 21, 2019 at the age of 98 years.

Mable will be lovingly remembered by her four children, Garry Eggli, Carol (Carl) Hayes, Chuck (Kathy) Eggli and Debbie (Bruce) Reinhart, her sister, Irene McFadden, her grandchildren, Ward (Sue) Eggli, Mark (Charlene) Eggli, Rob (Crystal) Eggli, Courtney (TJ) McKenzie, Byron Hayes, Shanna (Jeff) Ertl and Shayne Sawchuk, as well her nine great-grandchildren, five great-great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her parents, Matthew & Sarah Wilcox, her brother, Melville, her sister, Helen, her beloved husband, Dolphe, her daughter-in-law, Sheila and her grandsons, William “Billy” and Ryan.

Mable was born and raised in Grimshaw, AB. She also lived in Red Deer for a number of years and then finally moved to Lethbridge where she spent the past 16 years. She was an amazing cook and was known for her sweet-tooth; she could never pass up ice cream and cake! She also loved gardening, playing cards, reading and spending time with her family and friends. Mable was a charter member of the Royal Canadian Legion Ladies’ Auxiliary Branch No. 253 in Grimshaw, and just recently received her 65-year bar.

The family would like to thank the staff at Garden View Lodge and St. Therese Villa for their many years of kindness, compassion and care given to Mable.

A Celebration of Mable’s Life will take place in the summer of 2019 with family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to a charity of your choice.

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

GOOD STRIKER

It is with great sadness we announce the unfortunate passing of our beloved matriarch, MRS. CELINA GOOD STRIKER “SOOAATSAAKI”, at the Peter Lougheed Hospital on Sunday, January 20, 2019.

Celina was born on the Blood Reserve, the fourth eldest of Ben & Annie Brewer, and spent the majority of her childhood in the St. Mary’s Residential School. It was with this upbringing between the Grey Nuns and her hardworking Dad that she learned how to manage her income. This began a lifetime of hard work in various fields of employment; a trait that she would strongly instill in her children as well. This strength would be apparent in her success with various business ventures: beauty consultant of Vanda cosmetics, night school driver, original owner and lifetime member of the Blood Bus Co-op, manager/cook of Cross Bell Youth Camp and Dude Ranch, owner of Eagle Spirit Embroidery (previously known as Imaginable Expressions), Amway Consultant, Goodstriker Trucking, Rufus Jr. Farming, Melalueca Consultant and bookkeeper in Dad’s horse racing hobby.

Throughout her lifetime she travelled the world at the side of her beloved husband to places such as Germany, France, Italy to visit her son Leon, and experienced memorable opportunities such as riding the gondolas in Venice and climbing the temple in Mexico for a Catholic Pilgrimage with friends. In her last years she enjoyed travelling with her daughter Kathy and granddaughters Kassia and Sirenity to conferences in Jasper, AB, Walla Walla, WA and this past August to Winnipeg, MB.

If traits could describe her it would be strength, dignity, and devotion, as well as her fearless spirit. Mom never faltered in her faith and devotion to her savior Jesus Christ and the Blessed Virgin Mary. Her daily prayers and intentions to pray for all those in need was her way of life. She would finish her last Novena in dedication to her many grandchildren whom she cherished, so that they may live a prayerful, loving life. It was in life that the presence of being surrounded by her many grandchildren was where she found the most peace, and on her final departure, they would once again lovingly gather to offer her strength and send her off on her last voyage. Her final act of perpetual grace was to embrace and include her beloved brother Pat Brewer to share the journey to their Heavenly home.

Sooaatsaaki will be forever missed by her children: Wilton, Rufus Jr. (Mildred), Kathy, Rochelle (Corey) Pace; Leon (Yvette) Georgie (Toni), Noel, Louise and Tina, Donna W., Stanley (Joanne) Scout; the Skeads: Elenor, Cindy (Harold) Nick, Gary and Tanis; Michelle Louis, Tanya Ludwig, Shelly Lavalee (Tony), Ray and Daria Slick, Sharon Stanza, Kristen First Rider, Verna Warrior, Giulio, Christina, Max Gibb and Rose Rossi; 37 grandchildren, 46 great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sisters, Nora and Debbie, and her brothers, Raymond and Phillip.

Welcoming her on her spiritual journey home are her beloved parents, Ben & Annie, her husband, Rufus, her children, Joyce, Christine, Lorraine, Frances and Charles, and her grandchildren, Cassandra, Angel, Marin, Blaire, Shawn and Carlyle.

A Family Service will be held at CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME, 2800 Mayor Magrath Drive South, Lethbridge, AB on Friday, January 25, 2019 at 5:00 P.M.

A Wake Service will be held at SENATOR GLADSTONE HALL, Blood Reserve, AB on Friday, January 25, 2019 from 7:00 P.M. to 11:00 P.M.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at ST. MARY’S IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CHURCH, Blood Reserve, AB on Saturday, January 26, 2019 at 11:00 A.M. with Father Pawel Andrasz O.M.I. celebrating.

She will be laid to rest in the Blood Band Cemetery.

Luke 6: 27B-28 – “Love your enemies, do good to those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.”

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

KOPPERT

ARIE “HARRY” KOPPERT, beloved husband of Alice Koppert, passed away peacefully at the Chinook Regional Hospital on Monday, January 21, 2019 at the age of 63 years.

Harry will be laid to rest at a Graveside Service in the FORT MACLEOD UNION CEMETERY on Friday, January 25, 2019 at 11:00 A.M.

Afterward, a Funeral Service will be held at BETHEL FREE REFORMED CHURCH, 6 Eastman Road, Monarch, AB on Friday, January 25, 2019 at 1:00 P.M.

To send a condolence, please visit

http://www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com

Joe Kovach

1935 – 2019

Joe Kovach passed away peacefully at home on Friday, January 18, 2019, at the age of 83 years. Our family is deeply saddened to inform you of the passing of our beloved uncle, but we know that Joe has lived a full, and happy life.

Joe was a devoted uncle, brother, and friend who was full of laughter and love and always the first one to help out anywhere that was needed. People who knew him, knew he was kind hearted, strong willed and a rock for family and friends. Joe lived his life to the fullest and family was very important to Joe. He could often be found surrounded by family and friends at Lethbridge Hurricanes games, having coffee, playing cards or involved in a game of cribbage. Joe’s zest for life touched everyone who knew him, and he will be missed dearly by all his friends and family.

Joe always enjoyed his morning coffee with friends at the Turin coffee shop and loved his days on the farm where he lived his entire life. He spent lots of time attending auction sales, and many of the surrounding community parades and events.

Joe was predeceased by his parents Joe and Mary Kovach, and his two brothers Frank and Paul. Joe was never married but always kept a close connection to his nieces and nephews, who will forever miss his laughter, visits and game playing on the holidays.

Family and friends are invited to pay their respects between 6:00PM and 7:00PM on Wednesday, January 30, 2019 at MARTIN BROTHERS RIVERVIEW CHAPEL, 610 – 4 STREET SOUTH, Lethbridge, AB.

A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00PM on Thursday January 31, 2019 at MARTIN BROTHERS RIVERVIEW CHAPEL, 610 – 4 STREET SOUTH, LETHBRIDGE, AB., Deacon Ray Wagner, officiating.

Interment to follow at Mountain View Cemetery.

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

Donaldson “Donnie” Paksi

1993 – 2019

Donaldson “Donnie” Steven Paksi was 25 years old and living in Lethbridge, Alberta when he passed on January 12, 2019.

Donnie was born in the Lethbridge Regional Hospital on February 14, 1993, was the youngest child of four and he was loved. He was a father, a brother, and a friend to many. Donnie always had a care free spirit and was quick with his wits, he made those around him laugh and enjoyed being the star in the room.

Donnie is survived by his partner Wacey Blackwater; beloved son Aries Paksi; mother Tammie Auer; siblings Jamie Paksi, Christina Blake, and William Jr. Paksi; nephews and nieces Mickey Blake, Edward Blake, Dahlia-Mae Blake, Lily Blake, and Winona “Winnie” Paksi; cousins Sasha Paksi, Jessica Paksi, Meridith Paksi, Nicole Paksi, Steve Jr. Paksi. and his best friend Brandon “Boris”.

Donnie was predeceased by his father William “Gouch” Paksi on August 10, 2000.

Family and friends are invited to pay their respects at 10:00am on Friday, January 25, 2019 at MARTIN BROTHERS RIVERVIEW CHAPEL, 610 – 4 STREET SOUTH, Lethbridge, Alberta.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00am on Friday, January 25, 2019 at MARTIN BROTHERS RIVERVIEW CHAPEL, 610 – 4 STREET SOUTH, Lethbridge, Alberta, with Reverend Glenda Wert officiating.

We would like to extend a special thanks to the pallbearers Brandon “Boris” Boriskewich, Jamie Paksi, William Jr. Paksi, Dakota Ruttan, Wyatt Ruttan, and Steve Jr. Paksi.

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

Sakae “Sak” Saruwatari

1928 – 2019

Mr. Sakae “Sak” Saruwatari of Lethbridge, beloved husband of the late Mrs. May Saruwatari passed away at St. Therese Villa on Wednesday, January 23, 2019 at the age of 91 years.

A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00pm on Saturday, January 26, 2019 at MARTIN BROTHERS RIVERVIEW CHAPEL, 610 – 4 Street South, Lethbridge, Alberta.

Cremation entrusted to Martin Brothers Funeral Chapels.

Koden and flowers gratefully declined. For those who wish, memorial donations in Sak’s name may be made to St. Therese Villa, 253 Southgate Blvd South, Lethbridge, Alberta, T1K 2S1.

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

STOUT

It is with great sadness that we announce the death of SADIE DAWN STOUT (BELL) on Tuesday, January 22, 2019. Sadie was born in Lethbridge on August 11, 1977. She is survived by and will be deeply missed by her daughter Evaleen (Leena) Stout.

Sadie is also survived by her dad Don Bell and her brother Eric Bell, both of Lethbridge. Sadie was predeceased by her mom Kathy in 2006.

Sadie was loved by many and became a second daughter to Allan and Valerie Koot. She will be missed greatly by both of them and the rest of her second family: Jeremy and Chanel Koot (Hadley, Giada and Nkanyezi), Danielle and Alex Putici and Brian and Hanne Koot.

Sadie loved the special relationships that she had with the grandmothers in her life, Edith Snook, Evelyn Bell and Wilhelmina Konynenbelt. Sadie is also survived by many aunts, uncles and cousins who were very special to her.

Sadie was first and foremost in love with Jesus and this special relationship defined the way she lived her life. Sadie was also passionate about teaching and she truly loved the kids she taught. She loved kids of all ages and built many relationships with students that have lasted long after she taught them. Sadie will be greatly missed by many but her legacy will remain in every person who came into her life.

Most of all Sadie cherished every moment that she got to spend with her daughter… who will always and forever be her mama’s “wish come true”.

A Celebration of Sadie’s Life will be held at VIA CHURCH, 2820 – 18 Avenue North, Lethbridge, AB on Saturday, January 26, 2019 at 11:00 A.M. with Father Stephen Barbour and Bishop Todd Atkinson officiating.

In lieu of flowers, Sadie has asked that donations be made to a fund to be set up for Leena, c/o Valerie Koot.

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

TAYLOR

Born in 1931, William “Bill” Charles Taylor was raised in Sidewood, SK along with sisters Winnie, Myrtle, Lillian and Donna. Times were tough, but Bill learned life lessons that he always lived by: watch your pennies, save your money and never pay full price!

At 14, his first job was as a ranch-hand for the princely sum of $14 per month plus his tobacco; always working hard and paying his own way.

In 1955, working as a CPR agent, he courted a beautiful, young AGT operator, Jean Isabell “Peggy” MacArthur of Walsh, Alberta. They married and lived together for over six decades; raising a family and standing side-by-side through thick and thin.

Along with Peggy, Bill owned and operated many successful businesses such as Southern Alberta Vending, Southern Pilot Car, Elkwater Gulf, Holiday Rent-A-Car and Circle Auto. Negotiating and haggling were just part of Bill’s fabric.

His children Dennis Taylor and Debbie Codan will always respect his entrepreneurial drive and spirit and fondly remember the family garage full of chocolate bars, buckets of coins, pin ball games in the basement and long, fun days at Elkwater.

Bill was a great family man: coaching baseball and hockey, summer trips to Disneyland and the States and travelling the world with Peggy. He was a heck of a good golfer, king of the garage sale and the master of a good game of cribbage.

Until the bitter end, Bill made sure his affairs were taken care of, outliving Peggy by six months because he just couldn’t leave this world before her.

Dennis (Lori) and Debbie (Ed), great-grandson Sepp William, grandkids Kristy (Dave), Cassidy, Bryce and Cole and sister Lillian (Ed) will all miss Bill (and Peggy) a great deal!

To honour Bill’s memory, save a dollar today; he’d want you to save a few so that you’ll be able to help your family in the future!

As per Bill’s request, no formal funeral service will be held.

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

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