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Tuesday, August 22, 2023
By Lethbridge Herald Obituaries on August 22, 2023.
VANROBAEYS, Wade VANROBAEYS WADE WILLIAM VANROBAEYS, of Lethbridge, passed away suddenly in Calgary, on Thursday, May 25, 2023 at the age of 51 years.A Celebration of Life will be held at the ROTARY PICNIC SHELTER, Giffen Road North, Lethbridge, AB, on Friday, August 25, 2023 at 4:00 P.M. Those who wish to remember Wade are invited to join the family. A short program to be held at 5:30 P.M. with a light dinner to follow. All are welcome to stay for as little or as long as they would like.
To send a condolence, please visit http://www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com
TARNAVA, Valentine “Ducky” VALENTINE “DUCKY” TARNAVA 1933 – 2023 After months of dreaming about fishing with his long-past soulmate (Laurette), Ducky stepped into those dreams. He is now reunited with the love of his life on that never-ending fishing trip.
Ducky was born in Lethbridge and grew up on the Northside (old #3). He attended St. Basil’s school. He was able to reside in his home on the Northside until his passing, which was important to him. A “Northsider” his entire life.
As for many of that generation, work came at an early age. As a young man, Ducky worked various jobs including his father’s taxi business and the CPR. In 1954, Ducky started his very rewarding, lifelong career at Canadian Western Natural Gas (ATCO). In 1990, after 36 years with C.W.N.G (ATCO), Ducky retired to spend more time with Laur ette, his yard and of course, fishing!
As a young man, Ducky was a hunter, curler, skier and fisherman. The fishing part became a lifelong passion. He became a master at tying flys. He taught fly tying at the college for many years. In his later years, he could be found at the Nordbridge Seniors Centre, teaching fly tying to whoever wanted to learn. Fly tying was his pastime during the COVID lockdown.
Christmas was a special time at the Tarnava house. His yard decorations received many compliments and awards from the bus tour and the steady stream of cars in the neighbourhood throughout the Christmas season.
Every Christmas Eve (for 35 years) Ducky would don the suit, beard and bells of the big jolly guy and visit the homes of many friends and families, often until the early hours of Christmas morning. His reward was the surprise, excitement and smiles on the kids faces and their belief in Santa Claus.
One of his other passions was his yard. He was an excellent tree grafter, greenhouser and gardener. Laurette and Ducky always grew more than they needed so they could provide fruit, flowers and vegetables to friends and family.
Through his life, Ducky was a member of many organizations: The Lethbridge Fish and Game, The Miners Library, The Army and Navy, The Legion and the Nordbridge Seniors Centre.
Ducky is survived by his son Paul (Edie); daughter-in-law Connie; granddaughters Carmen (Nick) Geigle, Laura (Eddy) Goalen; grandson Jesse; great-grandkids Alexandra Geigle, Griffin Geigle, Aurora Goalen and Luna Goalen.
Ducky was predeceased by the love of his life, his wife Laurette; son Greg (Tracks); his mother and father Anne and Alex; brother Jocko; sister and brother-in-law Laurie and John Stahr.
So many people helped Ducky out these last few years, a heartfelt thank you to all of you. A special thanks to Doug and Muriel, Debbie, Brenda and Randy. Extended thanks to Dr. Burton and Amber. Lethbridge Homecare and the Thriftway Pharmacy Staff. A VERY big hug and thank you to the nurses and support staff on 5A at the Chinook Regional Hospital.
Ducky was a good man who touched many lives in many different circles, the largest being the fishing community. His legacy lives on in many fishing stories and tackleboxes. If you are out fishing, put on one of his flies. He would “guarantee” you would catch something!
The “Ducky and Laurette gone fishing” sign has gone up and sadly for us it will not be coming down.
A Prayer Service will be held at 7:00 pm, on Wednesday, August 23, 2023, at MARTIN BROTHERS RIVERVIEW CHAPEL, 610, 4 STREET SOUTH, Lethbridge, Alberta.
A Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 am, on Thursday, August 24, 2023, at ST. BASIL’S ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH, 604, 13 STREET NORTH, Lethbridge, Alberta, with Father Kevin Tumback, celebrant. Interment will follow at Mountain View Cemetery.
Flowers are gratefully declined. If you so wish, please make a donation to a charity of your choice.
Visit http://www.mbfunerals.com to send a condolence.
BLAND, Diane BLAND Diane Rae Bland (nee Jensen), passed away on August 18, 2023, at the age of 82, in Lethbridge, Alberta at the Chinook Regional Hospital. She is the beloved wife of Garfield Osborn Bland. Diane was born in Lethbridge at the Galt Hospital on April 18, 1941, to Golden and Lela Jensen (nee Russell). She spent her childhood in Fincastle, Alberta, but completed her education in Taber, AB. She married her high school sweetheart, Garfield on December 20, 1958. They would have celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary this coming December.
Diane spent most of her married life in Lethbridge, AB. She had three biological children, Cameron Bland (deceased), Kevin (Lorie) Bland, Alyson (Alan) Scoville, and three adopted children, Karin Bland (deceased), Christopher Bland (deceased) and Amanda Bland. She also had a foster-daughter named Line Gagne (Nick Mayfield). Diane leaves behind 13 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. Diane is survived by her sister Jean (Blair) Williams of Alexandria, ON., and brother Keith Jensen of Lethbridge, AB. She is predeceased by her parents, parents-in-law, Osborn and Elaine Bland (nee Schmidt) and siblings, Susan Jensen and John Jensen. Family was very important to her, and she loved visiting with all her relatives near and far. She will be missed by her many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Diane enjoyed a busy life, not only raising her family, but Garfield and she were foster parent to over 120 children in their career. She was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and her faith was very important to her.
Christmas was her favourite season/holiday, and she always started decorating early in the Fall. In 1984, she and Garfield purchased the Annandale house and spent many hours working to restore it to its former glory. Over the years they began to decorate it for the Christmas season, and eventually it became known as “The Christmas House”. This is a tradition that her family hopes to keep going in her honour.
Funeral Services will be held at the LDS Lethbridge Stake Center (2410 28th Street South, next to the Enmax Center) on August 23 at 11am with Russel Jensen, First Counselor in the Bishopric of the Coulee Ridge Ward, officiating.
Family and friends may meet with the family in the Relief Society Room from 10:00 -10:45 AM. Interment will be at the Mountain View Cemetery, immediately following the service. There will be a viewing on Tuesday evening at Salmon and Sons Funeral Home (433 Stubb Ross Rd, Lethbridge, at the airport turn off) from 7:00 8:00 PM.
To send a condolence, please visit http://www.salmonandsons.ca
ALSTON, James JAMES TURNER ALSTON Oct. 24, 1959 to Nov. 8, 2022 A celebration of Jim’s life will be held Saturday, August 26th at 12:00 pm at the home of Bill and Susan Alston – 128N 1 St. W, Magrath, Alberta.
Friends and family of Jim are welcome to attend this informal gathering.
To send a condolence, please visit http://www.salmonandsons.ca
PROCTOR, Bradley BRADLEY PROCTOR 1962 – 2023 It is with heavy hearts that we announce the sudden passing of Mr. Bradley Proctor, a beloved son, brother, uncle, and friend, who departed this world on Thursday, August 17, 2023, at the age of 61 years.
A Memorial Service for Bradley Roger Proctor will be held at 1:30 pm, on Thursday, August 31, 2023, at the LETHBRIDGE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS, 175 ROCKY MOUNTAIN BLVD. W.
Flowers are gratefully declined. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Bradley’s memory to a charity close to your heart.
Cremation has been entrusted to Martin Brothers Riverview Chapel.
Visit http://www.mbfunerals.com to send a condolence.
MILLS, Crystal MILLS CRYSTAL JOYCE MILLS, passed away on August 15, 2023 in Lethbridge, AB at the age of 50 years.
A Wake Service will be held at the Senator Gladstone Hall, Blood Reserve on Sunday, August 27 from 7:00 – 11:00 pm. The Funeral Service will be held at the Senator Gladstone Hall on Monday, August 28 at 11:00 am. Interment will take place in Blood Band Cemetery.
To send a condolence please visit http://www.legacyfuneralhome.ca
NAKAHAMA, Kenneth “Ken” NAKAHAMA KENNETH “KEN” TAKAO NAKAHAMA, of Lethbridge, AB passed away peacefully at the Chinook Regional Hospital on Saturday, August 19, 2023 at the age of 59 years.
There will be a private interment for Ken at a later date.
Ken’s family would like to express their gratitude to the nurses and doctors in the ICU at the Chinook Regional Hospital for all their help and support with Ken.
In lieu of flowers or gifts, please donate to the Diabetes Clinic care of the Chinook Regional Hospital Foundation (crhfoundation.ca).
To send a condolence, please visit http://www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com
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