Tuesday, October 29, 2024

By Lethbridge Herald Obituaries on October 29, 2024.

CHIEF MOON, John CHIEF MOON John Chief Moon Sr. (Ninai’kiisomm) It is with profound sadness that the family of John Joseph Chief Moon Sr. announces the peaceful passing of their beloved dad/grandpa/brother on Saturday, October 26th, at the Cardston Hospital. John was 91 years old and was surrounded by the love and support of his family, friends, and dog Maui during his passing.
The Chief Moon family will now mourn privately and announce the funeral details later this week. Thank you to everyone (friends, elders, colleagues, and extended family) who supported the family through this difficult journey, as they are eternally grateful for the prayers and visits.
Please mention John’s name in prayer this week as he makes his journey home to the happy hunting grounds to be united with his beloved wife, Mildred Chief Moon, and his other family members.
The family wishes to also send a special thank you to the staff at the Kainai Continuing Care Centre and the Cardston Hospital for their care and compassion.
To send a condolence please visit http://www.legacyfuneralhome.ca.

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DEBNAM, Loraine LORAINE DEBNAM 1948 – 2024 Loraine Debnam of Lethbridge, Alberta, cherished Mama of Holly Debnam (Dwight Marthaller) and much-loved Nana of Chase Debnam passed away peacefully at her cottage on October 18, 2024.
A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 am, on Friday, November 1, 2024, at PARK MEADOWS BAPTIST CHURCH, 2011, 15 AVENUE NORTH, Lethbridge, Alberta. To watch the service via livestream, please go to https://youtube.com/live/l6BYH0C81ks?feature=share
Visit http://www.mbfunerals.com to send a condolence.

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DE GROOT, David “Dave” DAVID “DAVE” DE GROOT 1964 – 2024 It is with great sadness we announce the passing of David “Dave” De Groot on Friday, October 18, 2024, at Good Samaritan Park Meadows, at the age of 60 years.
A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 am, on Saturday, November 9, 2024, at MARTIN BROTHERS RIVERVIEW CHAPEL, 610-4 STREET SOUTH, Lethbridge, Alberta
For those unable to attend, the celebration of Dave’s life will be live streamed and available to view at https://www.mbfunerals.com/obituary/DavidDave-DeGroot-1
A private Interment will be held at the Mountain View Cemetery where Dave will be laid to rest with his parents.
Visit http://www.mbfunerals.com to send a condolence.

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ABERNATHY, Ryan RYAN ABERNATHY 1984 – 2024 Mr. Ryan Abernathy of Lethbridge, beloved husband of Mrs. Lisa Abernathy, and loving father to Oliver, Tillie, and Felix, tragically passed away in Lethbridge, AB on Thursday, October 24, 2024, at the age of 40 years.
A Celebration of Ryan’s life will be held at 2:00 pm, on Friday, November 1, 2024, at the EVANGELICAL FREE CHURCH OF LETHBRIDGE, 4717 – 24 Avenue South, Lethbridge, Alberta. To watch Ryan’s service via livestream, please go to https://www.youtube.com/live/rbQ4Ic59H5o
Visit http://www.mbfunerals.com to send a condolence.

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MORRIS, Elizabeth “Elsie” ELIZABETH “ELSIE” MORRIS 1928 – 2024 Mrs. Elizabeth “Elsie” Morris of Lethbridge, beloved wife of the late Mr. Terence “Terry” Morris, passed away at Buffalo Grace Manor on Tuesday, October 1, 2024, at the age of 95 years.
A Memorial Services will be held at 11:00 am, on Saturday, November 2, 2024 at SAINT AUGUSTINE’S ANGLICAN CHURCH, 411 11 STREET SOUTH, Lethbridge, Alberta, with Reverend Dr. Gillian Breckenridge officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Alzheimer Society, St. Augustine’s Endowment fund, or a charity of your choice.
Visit http://www.mbfunerals.com to send a condolence.

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PERSINGER, John “Jack” JOHN “JACK” PERSINGER 1934 – 2024 It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of John (Jack) Harold Persinger on Friday, October 25th, 2024, at the age of 90 years.
Jack has joined his beautiful and greatly missed wife, Doreen, who passed away in 2022. Dad will be forever loved and deeply missed by his family of five daughters: Debbie (Darrell) Campbell of Lethbridge, Tammy (Rob Banville) Persinger of Calgary, Bonnie (Greg) Moulton of Okotoks, Lois (Sid) Felske of Calgary and Tracy (Al) McCann of Coaldale. Grandpa Jack was a loving Grandpa to Ricki, Craig, and Ethan Campbell; Brett, Blake, and Tara Nishikawa; Valerie, Katelyn, and Laura Talbot; Cole and Brittney Felske; and Cody Persinger as well as a proud Great Grandpa to Julien, Damien, and Ireland Archer; and Dax Persinger. Jack is also survived by his brother, Howard Persinger of Kelowna, B.C., as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Jack was born on January 31st, 1934, in Didsbury, Alberta to Eli and Margaret Persinger. He was the 9th child in a family of 11 children. Jack had 5 brothers and 5 sisters. They all grew up in the Olds area and attended several different 1 room schools. Jack quit school after grade 10 because money was tight, and he had to get a job to support himself. At the age of 18, Jack joined the Navy and was sent to the Cornwallis Naval Base at Digby, Nova Scotia for boot camp. He trained as a radio technician and was then posted to various ships on both the east and west coasts of Canada.
In 1956, while stationed at Patricia Bay Naval Air Station in Sidney, B.C., Dad’s best friend introduced him to twins, Doreen and Eileen Arnold. Jack and Doreen hit it off immediately and were married 4 months later on December 29th, 1956. It was a whirlwind romance because Jack had been posted to Halifax and had to be there by January 15th, 1957. This beautiful marriage lasted 67 years until Doreen’s passing. Jack and Doreen moved back to Victoria after a year and started their family with Debbie and then Tammy a year later. Shortly after, they moved to Mannville, where Bonnie, Lois and Tracy were born.
Mom and Dad were lifelong partners in life and in business. They bought a general store in Mannville and operated it together for 8 years, while raising 5 young girls. Recently Dad reminisced about what it was like to have 5 of us running around the store; playing hide and seek, filling shopping carts for fun and then incorrectly restocking shelves and of course, sneaking candy. After selling the store, Mom and Dad moved to Vermilion, where they enjoyed curling, snowmobiling, camping and parties with a great group of friends. Dad did contract work for Alberta Government Telephones for 13 years, travelling around the province, removing telephone wire and poles. In 1974, Dad sold the telephone equipment and moved to Lethbridge, where he got his Real Estate License and began a 20-year career in the real estate business. During the last 5 years of his career, Dad sold condominiums – over 500 units in 3 buildings. He was an incredible salesman and often had repeat customers. Dad retired in 2004, at the age of 70 years.
Dad was a very active person. He loved to go to the gym and for long walks and he curled for many years. Mom and Dad often went to hockey games (Lethbridge Broncos/Hurricanes) and had seasons tickets for several years to the Lethbridge Bulls baseball league.
Grandpa Jack loved spending time with his grandchildren, and he spent many hours watching the boys play baseball and hockey. He loved to take the girls ice skating. He loved chatting with the kids in the neighborhood and was also known to take some of them to the dump on Saturday mornings (which was code for going to the Dairy Queen).
Dad had a great sense of humor. Recently one of his nephews commented that Uncle Jack was the best storyteller he knew, and that Dad knew more jokes than anyone. Dad was also known for giving nicknames to many people, including his children, his nieces and nephews, and to children of friends and neighbors.
Dad/Grandpa Jack/Brother Jack/Uncle Jack/Boss was a treasured husband, father, uncle, brother, grandpa and great grandpa, and friend. He will be missed by many and will live on in our hearts and cherished memories.
Jack’s family would like to thank the staff at the Pemmican Lodge, the Chinook Regional Hospital and St. St. Michael’s Health Centre for their compassionate care of both our dad and mom over the last couple of years.
Visit http://www.mbfunerals.com to send a condolence.

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OKA, Cheryl OKA Cheryl Joy Oka passed on October 19, 2024 in Lethbridge at the age of 48 years.
A Wake Service will be held on Monday, November 4 at Senator Gladstone Hall, Blood Reserve from 6:00 – 11:00 pm. The Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday, November 5 at Senator Gladstone Hall at 11:00 am. The Interment will take place in Pioneer Cemetery, Blood Reserve.
To send a condolence please visit http://www.legacyfuneralhome.ca.

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URSEL, Gary URSEL GARY THOMAS FREDERICK URSEL, of Lethbridge, beloved husband of Sharon Ursel, passed away peacefully surrounded by family at St. Michael’s Health Centre, on Friday, October 25, 2024 at the age of 84 years.
As per Gary’s wishes, there will be no funeral service.

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

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SKIPPEN, Keith SKIPPEN KEITH HENRY SKIPPEN of Milk River, AB, beloved husband of the late Helen Skippen, passed away peacefully at the Milk River Health Centre on Saturday, October 26, 2024 at the age of 95 years, leaving a legacy of warmth, wisdom, and a life well-lived.
Keith is survived by his children: Linda Selk of Milk River, Donna Brower of Medicine Hat and son-in-law Larry Ainscough of Coaldale; grandchildren: Rhonda Wolske (Matt) of Calgary, Gordon Ainscough (Stacey) of Coalhurst and Amber Ainscough of Coaldale, Jennifer Kobly (Travis) of Medicine Hat, Cole Brower (Marissa) of Medicine Hat, and nine great-grandchildren.
Besides his beloved wife of 70 years, Keith was predeceased by his parents; daughter Connie; sons-in-law Loren and Clark; and grandson Brad.
A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at ST. PETER’S CATHOLIC CHURCH – 321 Main Street, Milk River, AB, on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 at 11:00 A.M. with Father Pawel Andrasz O.M.I. celebrating.
Following the Memorial Mass, Keith will be laid to rest beside his beloved wife Helen during a private family graveside service.

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

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FRY, Murray MURRAY FRY December 19, 1954 – October 24, 2024 Murray Fry, 69 of Lethbridge, AB passed away peacefully at home on October 24, 2024. Murray is survived by his wife Pam Fry and his sons Brian (Denise), Darren and Darcy (Katie) and his sister Wendy (Doug). He is loved by his grandchildren Darby-Jane (Dayton), Kaiden, Walter and Quincy.
Murray was born in Miami MB to Noreen & Walter Fry. He was a hard worker with an entrepreneurial spirit. He was a jack of all trades from being in the poultry business, owning a Yamaha shop and driving semi. His greatest joys were his sons and their accomplishments. He was a true family man and in the last few years, he fell into the role of being the best grandpa ever. Walter was his right-hand man, doing chores around the farm, chasing spray planes and cooking up his favorite breakfasts.
No formal service will be held. In memory there will be a casual get together at the Fry Farm in the shop on November 2nd at 3 PM.
To send a condolence, please visit http://www.salmonandsons.ca

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