Friday, February 14, 2014

By Lethbridge Herald Obituaries on February 14, 2014.

DRAKE

DELBERT W. DRAKE (DELL)

July 5 , 1922 – Feb 10, 2014

Passed away peacefully at Piyami Place in Picture Butte AB on February 10th 2014 at the age of 91. Del was born and raised in Enchant and farmed there for many years. He leaves to mourn his 3 sons Randy (Florence), Don (Cheryl) and Larry Drake, 4 grandchildren Scott (Roxane) Drake, Ryan Drake, Janelle (John) Artzberger and Cameron (Karissa) Drake. 5 great-grandchildren, Logan and Gracie Drake and Drayden, Jace and Jax Artzberger. Del is also survived by his sisters Frances (Jim) Ostrup his sisters-in -law Celia Drake and Bebe Rutledge and his brother in law Harold (Bunny) Rutledge (Cindy) and many nieces & nephews. Del was predeceased by his wife Jean Anne (Rutledge) Drake, his parents Edward & Grace Drake, his brother Gilbert and his sisters Mildred (Harold) Jones and Bereniece (Jack) Brooks, Wilma (Darrel) Seely and Beatrice Howg. His Brothers in law Glen Rutledge and Bill (Ruth) Rutledg and his sister in law Lynn Rutledge. At Del¹s request there will be no formal funeral service. A private family service will be held at a later date. Dels family would like to take this time to thank Dr. W.R. Leishman, Mona Dueck his home care nurse and the staff at Piyami Place for the care and compassion shown to Dad during his stay at the Piyami Place.

HELEN BOETTCHER

It is with deep sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Helen Boettcher, Monday, February 11, 2014 at the age of 82 years. Helen was born at the Alexander Galt Hospital in Lethbridge, and graduated from LCI. Helen attended the University of Calgary and graduated with a Certificate in Teaching, and later taught school in Burdett, AB. Helen then moved to Calgary where she began her career in banking at The Dominion Bank. She married Roger Boettcher in 1961 in Sandpoint, Idaho, following that they moved to Edmonton where they started their family, later returning to Lethbridge. After Roger¹s passing in 1969, Helen returned to work in the banking field at CIBC. Prior to retirement, she enjoyed working for a number of years at The Bay. Helen was a dedicated member of the First United Church since the 60¹s, and in her later years enjoyed singing in the church choir. She was also well known for attending and volunteering at the Lethbridge Senior Centre. During her retirement years, she took great pleasure traveling extensively with her sister Margaret and brother-in-law Stan. Helen was a devoted mother, grandmother, sister and friend. Her family was always the most important thing in her life. She lived for her children and grandchildren and leaves a lifetime of memories. She will be greatly missed by her son Gordon, daughter Brenda (Bruce), grandson Kyle, granddaughters Olivia and Ella, sister Margaret, sisters-in-law Bev (Don), Dale (Tony), and Verna, numerous nieces and nephews, as well as countless friends. Helen was predeceased by her daughter Yvonne in 2011. A Celebration of Life will be held at the FIRST UNITED CHURCH, 502-13th Street North, Lethbridge, AB. on Friday, February 14, 2014 at 1:00 P.M. with Reverend Brenda Kersell officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Helen may be made to S.T.A.R.S., 1441 ­ Aviation Park N.E., Box 570 Calgary, Alberta T2E 8M7.

IRENE CHISTE

1928 ~ 2014

Irene Teresa Chiste (nee Lazaruk) of Lethbridge, beloved wife of Lino Chiste, passed away peacefully on February 10, 2014 at the age of 85 years. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00am on Friday, February 14, 2014 at ST. BASIL¹S CATHOLIC CHURCH, 604 13th Street North, Lethbridge, AB, with Father Kevin Tumback celebrant. Flowers are gratefully declined. Those who wish, memorial donation may be made to the charity of one¹s choice. Send condolences at http://www.mbfunerals.com.

JIM HARKER

1954 ~ 2014

Jim Harker, beloved husband of Mrs. Karen Harker, passed away on Wednesday, February 12, 2014 at the age of 59 years. Funeral arrangements will be announced when completed. Send condolences at http://www.mbfunerals.com.

JOHANNA WILSON

1957 ~ 2014

Mrs. Johanna Wilson, beloved wife of Mr. Larry Wilson, passed away on Monday, February 10, 2014 at the age of 56 years. Family and friends are invited to a Come and Go reception in honour of Johanna from 1:00pm- 3:00pm on Saturday, February 15, 2014 at MARTIN BROTHERS RIVERVIEW CHAPEL, 610 4th Street South, Lethbridge, AB. Send condolences atwww.mbfunerals.com.

MILLS

MR. FRANCO JAMES MILLS, passed away at home on Sunday, February 9, 2014 at the age of 70 years. A Family Service will be held at CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME, 2800 Mayor Magrath Drive South, Lethbridge on Monday, February 17, 2014 at 5:00 P.M. A Wake will be held at MOSES LAKE HALL, Moses Lake, AB on Monday, February 17, 2014 from 7:00 to 11:00 P.M. A Funeral Service will be held at MOSES LAKE HALL, Moses Lake, AB on Tuesday, February 18, 2014 at 11:00 A.M. Burial to follow at the Blood Band Cemetery.

NANCY CHRISTINA RUTT (OLSEN)

OCTOBER 29, 1921 ~ FEBRUARY 10, 2014

On February 10, 2014 Nancy Christina Rutt, our much-loved Mum, Grandma, and Great-grandma, left us to join her beloved Byron. As she had wished, Mum died at home, surrounded by her family. Nancy is survived by her four children: Daughter Janet of Lethbridge. Son Eric (Faith) of Lethbridge; their daughter Suelynn Kemp (and her sons Cole, Codey and Cayden) of Mansfield, England; their daughter Sonia (Chris) Stock of Lethbridge; and their son Byron of Surrey, B.C. Daughter Diana (Ken) Misik of Grande Prairie; their sons Chris of Lethbridge and Warren of Olds. Son Brian (Shirley) of Welling. She is also survived by her sister Freda Dahl of Brooks; her children Sheila, Brenda (John) and Tim (Donna); and their children and grandchildren. Also surviving are her late brother Desmond¹s children Abby (Dan), Penny and Robin (Theresa) and their children, all of California. Nancy also leaves cousins; relatives in Norway, England and Australia; and Byron¹s family: nephew Mark Eliot of Lethbridge; and relatives in the U.S. Besides her loving husband Byron, Mum was predeceased by her parents Elmer & Nellie Olsen; her half-brother Morris Olsen and his wife; her brother Desmond Arthur and his ex-wife Nancy Short; her brother-in-law Jim Dahl; her in-laws Stewart & Gladys Rutt; and her sister-in-law Gloria Eliot. Nancy was born on the family farm outside Hanna, AB, the oldest of three children, and attended school in Hanna. In 1939 she went to Calgary to finish her Grade XII; while working in a greenhouse there, she developed her life-long love of houseplants and gardening. When World War II broke out, she enlisted in the RCAF and was posted in Trenton, ON as a Hospital Assistant. There she met Byron, the love of her life, an Alberta farm boy who was a Flight Engineer in the RCAF. After the war, they attended the University of BC, Byron in pre-dentistry, and Nancy in nursing. They married in 1947and returned to the Rutt family farm outside Coaldale where they raised their four children. At the age of 47, Mum enrolled in the first two-year RN class at the Lethbridge Junior College, graduating at the top of her class and finally fulfilling her life-long dream of being a nurse. She worked at the Southland Nursing Home for two years. In 1995, with Mum becoming more disabled by osteoarthritis, they retired and moved into Lethbridge. Mum was a committed volunteer all her life, until arthritis and macular degeneration totally disabled her. She and Byron kept a large garden and yard on the farm and smaller ones in Lethbridge. For years, she had hundreds of house plants. She was Akela in a Cub Pack, President of the Taber Lioness Club, a Life Member of the Girl Guides, and a Life Member of the Pythian Sisters. She and Byron travelled extensively in their RVs, frequented auction sales, exhibited Byron¹s 1927 White truck all over Canada and the U.S as members of the Antique Truck Club, and attended Lions conventions worldwide. Mum was very sweet-tempered, rarely complaining despite years of illness and increasing disability. She had an amazing green thumb and was a great cook. She read voraciously using her CNIB magnifier. At Mum¹s request there will be no formal funeral service. We will have a Remembrance afternoon at her home, 15 Simon Fraser Blvd. West, Lethbridge on Sunday February 16, 2014 from 1:00pm- 5:00pm. In lieu of flowers, please donate to one of Mum¹s favorite charities: The Arthritis Society, 393 University Ave, Suite 1700 Toronto, Ontario M5G 1E6; The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Alberta 200, 119-14 Street S.W. Calgary, Alberta T2N 1Z6; or the Stars Foundation, 1441 Aviation Park N.E. Box 570, Calgary, Alberta T2E 8M7. Send condolences at http://www.mbfunerals.com.

POTTS

MRS. MARTHA MARY POTTS, beloved wife of the late Mr. Tyrone Potts Sr. of Brocket, AB, passed away at the Chinook Regional Hospital on Sunday, February 9, 2014 at the age of 70 years. A Wake Service will be held at CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME, 2800 Mayor Magrath Drive South, Lethbridge on Friday, February 14, 2014 from 6:00 to 10:00 P.M.A Funeral Service will be held at PIIKANI COMMUNITY HALL, Brocket, AB on Saturday, February 15, 2014 at 11:00 A.M. with Archdeacon Sidney G. Black officiating. Interment to follow at Brocket Cemetery

SMETANA

MARIA VERA SMETANA (Polesenska), beloved wife of Stan Smetana of Lethbridge, passed away on Friday, February 7, 2014 at the age of 76 years. She is also lovingly remembered by her daughter Monika Smetana and grandson Tristan Smetana, her sister Hilda Svecova and numerous nieces and nephews. Maria was predeceased by her parents Johana and Jan, her brother Jan and sisters Olga and Elena. Maria Vera Polesenska was born on January 22, 1938 in Vrbove, Slovakia to parents Jan Polesensky and Johana Hanicova. She grew up in Brno with her sisters Olga, Hilda, and Elena. She worked as a seamstress making uniforms for the army and after meeting Stan, continued to do so until they immigrated to Canada on August 6, 1969. Full of life, love, passion and being strong-willed, she would fight to all ends to protect her family and those she loved. She had fire in her eyes and in her soul, a drive for adventure and exploration whether she was traveling the world with family and friends, running a restaurant, or raising a family. She lived her life to the fullest and put all her energy into whatever she did. Maria will be missed and loved forever in our hearts. A Funeral Service was held prior to the placement of this obituary. In memory of Maria Smetana, donations may be made to the Chinook Regional Hospital Foundation – Emergency Department, 960-19 Street South, Lethbridge, AB., T1J 1W5.

STANNARD, MURIEL VIOLET (NEE REAY)

1924 ­ Hillsdown, Alberta

2014 ­ Calgary, Alberta

Muriel Stannard passed away peacefully at the Rockyview General Hospital on Sunday, February 9, 2014 surrounded by her family. Mom was born at Hillsdown, AB, married dad in 1944 and raised her family near Lomond, AB. Her family was always the most important thing in her life. She lived for her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Dad left us in October 2002 and she missed him everyday thereafter. Mom leaves a lifetime of memories to her children Bill, Heather, Jack (Carol), Bonnie (David) and Debbie (Michael); her grandchildren Joe, Trish (Dean), Nicholas, Gregory (Melanie), Nathan and Jason (Jenna); and her great-grandchildren Kane, Taylor and Calla. In accordance to mom¹s wishes no service will be held. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Alberta, 200, 119 ­ 14th Street N.W., Calgary, AB T2N 1Z6 Telephone: (403) 264-5549, http://www.heartandstroke.ca. Our thanks to Unit 59 at the Rockyview General Hospital for their compassion towards mom and our family. From our hearts, a very special thank you to Nathan for his unrelenting vigil. We shall miss her very much. In living memory of Muriel Stannard, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Fish Creek Chapel, 14441 BANNISTER ROAD S.E. CALGARY, AB Telephone: 1-800-661-1599.

Tardif, Robert Joseph, of Lomond, beloved husband of Carol, passed away at the Chinook Regional Hospital on February 9, 2014 at the age of 78 years. At the request of Robert and his family, there will not be a service at this time. Inurnment will take place at Big River Cemetery, Big River, SK at a later date. Arrangements in care of Vulcan Funeral Home. Telephone 1-403-485-2633. E-mail condolences through http://www.vulcanfuneralhome.ca.

TERUYA

GARY SEIKO TERUYA, of Lethbridge, passed away at the Chinook Regional Hospital on Thursday, February 13, 2014 at the age of 73 years. Funeral arrangements to be announced when completed.

VANDEN BERG

JAN VANDEN BERG of Lethbridge Alberta, passed away peacefully at the age of 73. You were a wonderful father and husband. Your tenacious personality and love for a challenge transformed a service station into a successful RV business, Skyline Travel Centre. You were an honest, trustworthy and straightforward businessman and even though customers didn¹t always get a deal, they felt like they did and walked away happy and glad to have met you. Your passion for camping, fishing, and wood-working lives on in your children and grandchildren from the devotion and dedication you invested in sharing your passions for life with those you loved. In retirement your affinity for RVing drew you to Mexico, where you spent your winters with your loving wife Elaine. Your dedication to your faith and friendships made you a long standing and honorable 4th Degree member of the Knights of Columbus Council #1490. You fought to survive your health conditions with courage, optimism and a sense of humor right to the end. For three long years you smiled and braved the storm. You were always there for us to provide advice, guidance and most of all, respect. You will be dearly missed. Born in Leusden Holland, Jan immigrated to Canada in 1953 with his parents and 9 siblings. He is survived by his beloved wife Elaine, his children Dale (Eileen) Vanden Berg of Edmonton, Linda (Ralph) Gust of Lethbridge, Brian (Nicole) Vanden Berg of Lethbridge and Jim (Britta) Vanden Berg of Calgary, 12 adoring grandchildren, 1 special great -grandson, along with stepchildren Wanda (Brian) Hood of Lethbridge, Wendy Jonker of Lethbridge, Tim (Barb) Brown of Calgary, 10 step grandchildren, 7 step great- grandchildren and mother-in-law Ruth Orchard. Also left to grieve his passing are siblings Myrna (Bill) Tymensen, Toni (Frank) Vandeligt, Annie Golsteyn, Nellie Peppin, Art Vanden Berg and John (Fay) Vanden Berg. He was predeceased by his parents Aart and Hendrika Vanden Berg as well as sisters Gert Klooster, Rhea Beekman, brother Pete Vanden Berg, brothers-in-law Frank Beekman, George Peppin, Leo Golsteyn, and father-in-law Lawrence Orchard. A Funeral Mass will be Celebrated at OUR LADY OF THE ASSUMPTION CATHOLIC CHURCH, 2405 – 12 Avenue South, Lethbridge, AB on Saturday, February 15, 2014 at 11:00 A.M. with Father Kevin Tumback, Celebrant. Cremation to follow. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Jan¹s memory to the Palliative Care Unit, c/o St. Michael¹s Foundation, 1400-9th Avenue South, Lethbridge, AB., T1J 4V5

WATCHEL

Martina Watchel beloved wife of the late Florian Watchel passed away peacefully at Edith Cavell Care Centre on Tuesday February 11, 2014 at the age of 72 years. Martina leaves to cherish her memory, her son Shawn (Jenny), granddaughter JoAnna, 7 sisters, 3 brothers and their families and numerous friends. Martina was predeceased by her parents Joseph and Anna Wist and her sister Lavina. Martina loved to bake, cook, sew, tell jokes, play her guitar and sing. She cherished time with family and friends. She will be remembered for her compassion, generosity, kindness and joy she brought into this world. She will be missed by all whose lives she touched. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at ST. BASIL¹S CATHOLIC CHURCH, 604 ­ 13 St N, Lethbridge, AB on Friday February 14, 2014 at 3:00 PM with Father Kevin Tumback, Celebrant

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