SATURDAY, June 18, 2022

By Lethbridge Herald Obituaries on June 18, 2022.

Kathaleen “Kay” Bathgate

1931 – 2022

Mrs. Kathaleen “Kaye” Bathgate of Lethbridge, beloved wife of the late Mr. Frank Bathgate, passed away at Chinook Regional Hospital on Wednesday, June 15, 2022 at the age of 90 years.

Cremation entrusted to Martin Brothers Funeral Chapels.

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

Helen “Lena” Boschman

1931 – 2022

Helen “Lena” Boschman of Coaldale, Alberta, beloved wife of the late David D. Boschman went home to meet her Lord and Saviour on June 12, 2022 at the age of 90 years.

Lena was born in Grassy Lake, AB on November 2, 1931. She grew up as the middle child of a large family. It can be assumed that her sparkle and adventuresome spirit originated early on as a result. She both worked and played hard with this expansive family, that she loved very much.

Lena and David lived and raised their family in Coaldale, sharing almost 63 years together. They enjoyed the outdoors with the children and then spent their retirement taking golfing vacations and trips together with friends. Many hours were spent with friends over good food and fun games. They enjoyed their final season of life living at the Sunny South Lodge.

Life for Lena was full and varied. She had a great love for gardening, baking, and crafts of all kinds. She had great passion for both music and children’s ministries. Known to masses of children as “Chip”, she taught a wide range of age groups life and recreational skills. Most of Lena’s adult life also included sharing her love of music by singing in choirs, small groups, and with family members. It was her deep faith in God that was her motivation for so many years of service to others.

Lena is fondly remembered and greatly missed by her children Ron and Ursula Boschman, David Boschman, and Ruth and Reny Vermeer; nine grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. She also leaves behind six siblings Tina Regehr, Corey Pauls, David (Iris) Pauls, Ann Traber, Lydia (Alvin) Sawatzky, and Janet Braun, as well as numerous extended family. Lena is pre-deceased by her husband, parents, step-mother and many dear family members.

We, as her family wish to thank the staff and residents of the Sunny South Lodge for their love and care of our mother over the past ten years.

A Celebration of Lena’s Life will be held at 2:30pm on Tuesday, June 21, 2022 at MARTIN BROTHERS RIVERVIEW CHAPEL, 610 – 4 Street South, Lethbridge, Alberta.

To watch the service via livestream, please go to https://www.mbfunerals.com/obituary/HelenLena-Boschman and scroll to the bottom of the page.

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

DAVIDSON

WILLIAM “BILL” DAVIDSON passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of December 27, 2021 with his daughter Charleen at his side.

A Celebration of Bill’s Life will be held at CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME, 2825 – 32 Street South, Lethbridge, AB, on Saturday, June 18, 2022 at 11:00 A.M. The service will be livestreamed and may be accessed via Bill’s obituary on the Cornerstone website. Following the service, a light lunch will be served.

To send a condolence, please visit

http://www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com

FURLOTTE

It is with great sadness we say goodbye to JOHN BOSCO FURLOTTE, beloved father of Rebecca Furlotte and Pamela (Paul) Anderson. John Bosco passed away suddenly and peacefully at the Chinook Regional Hospital, on Monday, June 6, 2022 at the age of 73 years.

Besides his loving daughters, he is survived by Yogie Trudel, and sisters Ann Thomas, Luana Theriault and Judy Daigle, as well as two nephews and one niece.

John was predeceased by his parents Isaac and Annie (Morrissey), sister Maurita Bourque and brother-in-law Gerry Theriault.

John Bosco, aka Angel Puss Divine, was born in Jacquet River, New Brunswick, on September 3, 1948. He was a loving and caring father who was committed to helping those in need. Dad often had his guitar in hand and harmonica around his neck, singing and bringing joy to those around him. John Bosco enjoyed spending time with his friends and was welcoming to all new people who came into his life. He had a passion for coaching hockey, camping in Waterton and a great love for animals. Dad’s wanderlust will continue as his ashes will be spread coast to coast. His legacy will live on through the relationships he built and those he sponsored.

We would like to extend a special thank you to his friends Larry, Ken and Al, as well as the staff at St. Michael’s Health Centre. Dad always felt at home there and loved the staff.

A Celebration of Life will be held at LETHBRIDGE CHRISTIAN TABERNACLE, 1805 – 9 Avenue North, Lethbridge, AB, on Tuesday, July 5, 2022 at 2:00 P.M. with Pastor Dwayne Schaaf officiating.

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

KLOEPPER

DOROTHEA AGNES “DORA” KLOEPPER, beloved wife of the late Ernst Siebo of Lethbridge, passed away at Chinook Regional Hospital on Monday, June 13, 2022 at the age of 93 years.

Dora is survived by her children, Karl (Helen) Kloepper of Lethbridge, Gesine Kloepper of Calgary, Gordon (Donna) Kloepper of Nanton, Harold Kloepper (Kim Spencer) of Beaumont, Alan Kloepper (Sherry Marie Stica) of Brooks and Irene Kutzner of Kelowna, B.C., as well as 14 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren.

She is predeceased by her husband, Ernst, and son-in-law, Rene Kutzner.

Dora was born January 26, 1929 in Norden, Germany. She married the boy next door, Ernst, on Christmas Eve of 1948. Their love was evident to all and they embraced each other on their many journeys together.

Dora, along with her husband and two small children, moved to Rolling Hills, Alberta in 1951 to begin their new life. Together, they worked to establish a beautiful life for their family. Dora took pride in her amazing garden and provided the best meals one could ever wish for — not to mention her baking!

She loved deeply and showed her love through her generosity. She was devoted to the happiness of her children, grandchildren, great- grandchildren and friends. She was also very giving of her time to her community and church.

Dora will be sadly missed and we are deeply grateful for her teachings of love, passion for life and humility. We are comforted that she is in Dad’s arms.

A Celebration of Dora’s Life will be held at CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME, 2825 – 32 Street South, Lethbridge, on Tuesday, June 21, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. with Reverend Trevor Potter officiating.

Dora will be reunited with her beloved Ernst during a private Interment in Mountain View Cemetery.

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

MALMAS

RONALD “JACK” MALMAS, beloved husband of Shirley Malmas, of Lethbridge, passed away peacefully at St. Michael’s Health Centre – Palliative Care Unit, on Thursday, June 16, 2022 at the age of 82 years.

A private family service will be held at a later date.

To send a condolence, please visit

http://www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com

OERTLI

BERNICE ELIZABETH OERTLI (née Selby), beloved wife of Rolf Oertli, of nearly 60 years, passed away peacefully at the Chinook Regional Hospital with her family by her side, on Saturday, June 4, 2022 at the age of 77 years.

A Celebration of Bernice’s Life will be held at CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME, 2825 – 32 Street South, Lethbridge, AB, on Saturday, June 18, 2022 at 3:00 P.M. The service will be livestreamed and may be accessed via Bernice’s obituary on the Cornerstone website.

To send a condolence, please visit

http://www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com

PAOLETTI

BENITO PAOLETTI, beloved husband of Esther Paoletti, of Lethbridge, passed away peacefully at the Chinook Regional Hospital on Monday, June 6, 2022 at the age of 82 years.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at OUR LADY OF THE ASSUMPTION CATHOLIC CHURCH, 2405 – 12 Avenue South, Lethbridge, AB, on Saturday, June 18, 2022 at 10:00 A.M. with Father Kevin Tumback celebrating.

Following the Funeral Mass, Benito will be laid to rest in Mountain View Cemetery.

To send a condolence, please visit

http://www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com

RHEA

Long time resident of Fort Macleod, Ralph Rhea passed away peacefully in Pincher Creek Hospital on June 27, 2020, at the at of 96.

A Celebration of Life will be held on June 27, 2022, at 1:00 P.M. at the United Church, 220 20 St, Fort Macleod, AB.

In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Fort Macleod Rotary Club, Box 1237, Fort Macleod, AB T0L 0Z0 or to the Fort Macleod chapter of Alcoholics Anonymous, Box 952, Fort Macleod, AB T0L 0Z0.

Condolences may be sent through http://www.edensfuneralhome.com.

RUSSELL

FERGUS TOM RUSSELL, of Coaldale, passed away peacefully at Sunny South Lodge on Friday, June 10, 2022 at the age of 89 years.

Fergus is survived by his children, Duncan (Loretta) Russell of Edmonton, Heather Russell of Strathmore, Ian (Tanya) Russell of Skiff, as well as three grandchildren, Kenn Anderson, Kourt Russell and Ty Russell. He is also survived by his sister, Ena (Bill) Craik of Lethbridge, his brother, George Russell of Milk River and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by Charlotte, his loving wife of 56 yers. He was also predeceased by his parents, George and Margaret Russell, his brothers, Charlie and Roy Russell and his sisters, Elsie Halmrast and Margaret Gowlland.

Fergus was born in Picture Butte in 1933. Three years later, the Russell family moved to the Masinasin District near Milk River where they farmed and the children attended school. Fergus wasn’t much for book learning and left school after completing Grade 8 to work at several different jobs. In the spring of 1953, at the age of 20, he rented a section and a quarter of land and moved to Skiff to start farming. He later purchased the farm in 1961.

Fergus enjoyed living in Skiff as he found the people friendly. He quickly made friends with his neighbours who often has him over for meals as he was “baching” on the farm. Skiff soon became home to Fergus and, in 1958, he went into partnership with his brother, George, and Ed Lonsdale to purchase the Skiff Service Garage. Ed also owned Smith Motors in Lethbridge and just happened to employ a secretary named Charlotte Karp. Fergus met her, and on March 10, 1962, the couple was married.

Their first home was a house Fergus moved himself, across the river north of Coutts and into the hamlet of Skiff. They lived there for seven years until 1968 when they moved into a new house on the farm. They farmed, made their home and raised their family there until they retired to Coaldale in 2007.

Fergus had a talent for fixing almost anything and enjoyed spending time in his well-equipped shops. It was a family joke to say Fergus would spend three days building a machine to do an hour’s work. He also never threw anything away and neighbours in Skiff and Coaldale would drop by to see if he had a part of piece or metal that was needed.

The farm was always busy as Fergus raised cereal crops and had cattle. Family and friends often gathered to pour cement for new buildings or brand calves. Fergus also served on the Chin Coulee Gas Co-op for many years, several as chairman. Upon his retirement, he was presented with a gold watch in honour of his years of service.

Family and community were important to Fergus so leisure time included family picnics at Chin Lake and Writing-On-Stone, community potluck suppers and family holiday celebrations.

Fergus loved old-time music and dancing. Sunday morning breakfasts were often accompanied by an Old-Time music program aired on CJOC radio, much to the dismay of the kids. Fergus and Charlotte were members of the Pemmican Club for many years and brought in numerous new years by dancing into the wee hours of the morning and then driving home in a blizzard.

Fergus was a devoted husband, loving father, loyal friend, and a farmer. Rest in peace, your legacy lives on.

A Private Family Service will be held at CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME, 2825 – 32 St. S, Lethbridge, on Monday, June 20, 2022 at 2 p.m.

While the in-person gathering is private, friends are welcome to attend via livestream on Cornerstone’s website by accessing Fergus’s obituary.

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

Catherine Chris Thrall

1936 – 2022

With sadness and gratitude, the family of Catherine ‘Cathie’ (née Christou) Thrall of Lethbridge, Alberta announces her peaceful passing surrounded by family on April 10, 2022. Cathie is predeceased by her dear husband, Ralph Thrall Jr. and is survived by their four children (Ralph III, Erin, Eric and Chris) and nine grandchildren. There is joy in describing Cathie’s life, as she embodied love, openness and a warm, giving nature that enchanted those around her.

Daughter to Christos and Anastasia Christou, Cathie was greatly enriched by the language, dance, music and food of their Greek heritage. A gregarious child, she also enjoyed piano studies, skating, singing and was known to juggle oranges and tap dance at family gatherings. As a young adult, Cathie ventured to Edmonton where she earned a B.Sc. and B.Ed. from the University of Alberta. She taught English and Home Economics in Calgary and later in Lethbridge where she married and raised a family.

Cathie was a selfless mother and encouraged creativity and intuition over accomplishment. She espoused a balance of the physical, mental and spiritual realms. In Cathie’s adult years, she cherished the Anglican and First Baptist church communities. She sang in the church and Joybells choirs and often visited seniors’ homes to share music. Cathie loved to golf, play tennis and spend time with her walking group. She co-founded the Textiles Guild at the Bowman Arts Centre and never ceased to appreciate visual art and design, taking classes at the Banff Centre, Red Deer College and at California College of the Arts. Cathie embraced the cultural richness of her community. She and Ralph hosted artists, musicians and many other guests at the McIntyre Ranch.

Cathie was passionate about friends and family and was greatly energized by those around her. Celebrations were highlights, including annual summer picnics with the extended family. Cathie had a unique ability to connect with people, displaying compassion in all of her interactions.

Some say that Cathie wore rose-coloured glasses and indeed that is how she viewed the world. Cathie’s grace, her loving and playful essence remained during her final days with Alzheimer’s. Her caregivers referred to her as ‘Happy Cathie’. She continued to dance whenever the spirit moved her. Cathie’s wonderful smile always lit up the room and will forever shine in the hearts and minds of those who knew and loved her.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 pm, on Saturday, June 25, 2022 at FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH, 1614 5 Ave S, Lethbridge, Alberta. Cathie loved colour, so please wear something colourful if the spirit moves you.

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

Villeneuve, Rino

1964 – 2022

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Rino Villeneuve, on June 5th, 2022, at the age of 57, son of the late Florence Gagnon and the late Rosaire Villeneuve.

He is survived by his husband Josh Baird, spouse for 11 years, his older sister Johanne, his niece Annie, his nephew Nicolas (Linda Hamel), his in-laws Robert and Mildred Baird of Lethbridge, AB, his sister-in-law Sharon Block (Laurice) of Edmonton, AB. Sadly, he is survived by so many dear friends and family members.

Special thanks to his dear long time friend Lorraine Méthot.

The family welcomes you to La Maison Darche, 505, boul. Curé-Poirier Ouest, Longueuil, Qc, J4J 2H5, on Saturday, June 25th, 2022 from 1 p.m., followed by the ceremony at 2 p.m. in the chapel of the funeral complex.

Your expressions of sympathy can be expressed by a donation to the organization of your choice.

Allen Harvey Wolfer

1922-2022

Allen passed away on June 15, 2022 at the age of 99 and 7 months.

Allen was born in Burstall, Sask. on November 17, 1922 to Adam and Christine Wolfer. They later moved to Alderson Alberta. This is where Allen received his early education, and later finishing high school in Calgary.

Returning home from Calgary, Allen worked on the ranch with his Dad until he purchased a water truck and went to work helping build the Trans-Canada Hwy. While working near Tilley, AB, he met a beautiful young post office mistress named Pearl Anderberg. They were married on December 18, 1952. Together they raised four children; Shirley, Kenny, Terry and Murray.

In 1954 they moved to Grantham, AB, where Allen bought grain for the Ogilive Grain company, but decided this was not what he wanted to do, so bought a building in Hays from Gordon Hale and started Hays Farm Service. He also had the International Harvester dealership which he won many awards and trips from his sales.

In later years Allen and Pearl got into cattle and the ranching business. This was sold in 2009 when they retired to Lethbridge.

Allen is survived by his loving wife of 69 years, Pearl; his son Terry (Donna) of Texas, USA; his daughter-in-law Annette; son-in-law Jack; his three grandchildren Shaun (Karlie); Jesse (Crystal), and Valerica; plus five great grandchildren; as well as many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his sons Murray (2004), Kenny (2005), daughter Shirley (2019); his parents, brothers Harold and Don, and sister Marjorie.

A graveside service will be held at the Hays Cemetery on Monday, June 20, 2022 at 2:00pm. Lunch will follow in the Hays Community Hall following the service. Everyone is welcome.

To share condolences or to donate, please visit http://www.generationsfh.ca

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