March 28th, 2024

SATURDAY, April 30, 2016


By Lethbridge Herald Obituaries on May 2, 2016.

FURUKAWA

YOSHIKO (YOSH) FURUKAWA, of Taber and Lethbridge, passed away peacefully at St. Therese Villa April 27, 2016 at the age of 87 years.

She was born in Alert Bay, British Columbia, on December 12, 1929 to parents Ytaro and Ai Kamitomo. She was married to Leo Furukawa on April 10, 1954 and they lived together in Taber, AB.

Yosh worked at a local grocery store for many years before working at Pop’s fresh vegetable farm south of Taber. She loved to hear about her grandchildren’s accomplishments and do numerous hobbies; always knitting, crocheting, making quilts and many other crafts.

Yosh is survived by her spouse, Leo Furukawa, son Robert Furukawa (Lisa Bryanton Furukawa), two grandchildren Kason and Conner, as well as her sister Tomiko Takeyasu, all of Lethbridge.

Yosh was predeceased by her brothers Nobby Kamitomo (Lethbridge) and Mits Kamitomo (Kamloops) and her sister Haruko Shemoyama (Kamloops).

Thank you to the Staff at Good Samaritan Society Linden View, St. Therese Villa and all of her doctors and all of her friends.

At Yosh’s request, no service will be held.

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


GRUBEL

With great sadness and gentle relief we announce the passing of HERBERT “HERB” WALTER GRUBEL, beloved husband of Carol Grubel, of Coaldale, who passed away peacefully at the St. Michael’s Health Centre – Palliative Care Unit, surrounded by his loving family, on Wednesday, April 27th, 2016 at the age of 84 years.

Herb spent 1953 to 1958 in the Royal Canadian Navy. After an honourable discharge, he became a constable with the Edmonton Police Force and served from 1959 to 1963. Herb then went into the Life Insurance business, retiring as a branch manager of Sun Life in 1996.

Herb is survived by his loving wife Carol of 57 years, children: Sherry (John) Lang, Guy (Diane), Dawn (Dennis) Griffin, Darin, as well as seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Herb’s quality of life was greatly diminished due to blindness, then cancer. He was very grateful for the care received from his Home Care workers, palliative doctors and the care received on the Palliative Care Unit.

A Funeral Service to Celebrate Herb’s Life will be held at CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME, 2800 Mayor Magrath Drive South, Lethbridge, AB, on Thursday, May 5th, 2016 at 1:00 P.M. with pastor Glenda Wert officiating.

In memory of Herb, donations may be made to the St. Michael’s Health Centre – Palliative Care Unit, 1400 9th Avenue South, Lethbridge, AB. T1J 4V5.

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


Hart, Raymond Henry

January 18, 1922 – April 29, 2016

A mighty Diamond Willow has fallen on the bank of the Willow Creek. Son of William Orrin and Emma May (Davison) Hart. Born on a blizzardy day January 18, 1922, up Meadow Creek way. In a few years the Hart family moved down to the flats near Willow Creek. Raymond attended school at Trout Creek, the only boy in his grade with five girls. Ray and his only sibling, Orrin, were greatly impacted by the Depression as children and, to add to the hardship, their family home burned down one chinook day in November, 1932. Dad left school after grade 8, as was common in those hard times, to help out on the farm. Soon along came the war and with its opportunity for the Harts. W.O. and Raymond found extra employment helping to build the new airport for the war effort. Dad was one of the lucky few who not only helped construct S.F.T.S. #15 Claresholm; but, after joining the RCAF as an aero engine mechanic, L.A.C. Hart was posted back to Claresholm. Just a short ride on his Indian 74 motorcycle and sidecar brought him home on leave; helping out on the farm, and fishing and hunting in the hills.

Dad met and married Marion Mikel from a farm near Frankford, Ontario in 1950 after introduction through a mutual Air Force friend, Ray Jensen. Ray and Marion came west and settled on the banks of Willow Creek. Married for 66 years, they raised four children: Ruth Hart Budd (Robert), Lethbridge; Elizabeth Davidson (Roy), Magrath; Mikel Hart (Donna), Claresholm; and David (Emily), Calgary.

Raymond is survived by eight grandchildren and three great grandchildren; his loving wife, Marion; two sisters-in-law: Margaret Hart (Claresholm), and Verna Kirkwold (Airdrie), and numerous nephews and nieces.

Predeceased by two grandchildren, a son-in-law, Jack Brosz; his brother and sister-in-law, Ray and Lorna Jensen, hunting partner and brother-in-law Norman Kirkwold; and most, if not all, his RCAF friends in Flight 21.

Dad loved Willow Creek; he built up what was arguably the most beautiful farm ever. As a young man during the Depression years he and Orrin trapped and hunted along the creek; they skated on it; swam in it; forded it with cattle and horses, cut burdocks along it; Ray flew to its source, fished from its banks, and irrigated from it. And a few times Dad found his family and farm floating in the middle of it.

No one worked harder to provide for his family than Raymond.

Raymond served as president and secretary of the Rural Electrification Association for a few decades and Dad was the newcomers’ first contact person in the area. They would come to know him as they signed up for power. Thanks to Raymond our area had electricity many years earlier than other farming areas in Alberta. Dad also owned the first Aberdeen Angus cattle herd in the area, even slightly before his more famous cattleman brother, Orrin. Raymond was active in the United Church–on its board and as a trustee. He was one of those dyed-in-the-wool farm cooperative believers who would “drag his ass across a field of broken glass to buy a can of beans at the Co-Op.” He was the longest standing UFA delegate in the province when he stepped down.

Because of his missionary cousin, Ann Davison Storey, Marion and Ray sponsored and supported our Korean wing of the family, the Kims, to Canada where they thrive today, a success story.

Many thanks to his attentive nursing staff at the Willow Creek Continuing Care Centre in Claresholm.

Pre-funeral interment to take place Thursday May 5th at 11:00 A.M., Claresholm Cemetery.

Funeral to take place at the Claresholm United Church Thursday May 5, 2016 at 2:00 P.M. officiated by Reverend Linda Ervin and Reverend Stephan Ulrich.

Donations, in lieu of flowers, in Raymond’s memory can be made to the charity of your choice.

Arrangements entrusted to Willow Creek Funeral Home, Claresholm. Tel: 403-625-3212. Condolences may be forwarded at http://www.willowcreekfuneralhome.com


HEAVY SHIELDS

MURRAY HEAVY SHIELDS passed away in Calgary on April 26, 2016 at the age of 54 years.

Funeral arrangements will be announced tomorrow.

Email condolences to: legacycardston@gmail.com


HUISING

PIETER HUISING, beloved husband of Jennie Huising of Lethbridge, passed away at the Fairmont Extendicare, on Friday, April 29, 2016 at the age of 93 years.

Funeral arrangements will be announced once completed.

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


KOHASHIGAWA

It is with great sorrow, we wish to announce the passing of ROSE MARIE KOHASHIGAWA, at the Chinook Regional Hospital, on Wednesday, April 28, 2016 at the age of 73 years.

She is the loving mother of Ilona (Kevin) Theodore and Karen Varga (Chris McTighe). Rose is also a grandmother to; Crystal Theodore (Mark Robinson), Chase Theodore and Cameron McTighe, all of Lethbridge, AB

She is also survived by two brothers; Lawrence (Georgette) Falcon of Medicine Hat, AB & Arthur (Cathy) St. Louis of Vernon, B.C. as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Rose was predeceased by her mother Nellie and one sister Flo.

Rose was a loving mother and grandmother who will be sadly missed.

Relatives and friends are invited to pay their respects at CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME – 2800 Mayor Magrath Drive South, Lethbridge on Wednesday, May 2, 2016 from 11:45 A.M. – 12:45 P.M.

A Graveside service will follow at MOUNTAIN VIEW CEMETERY at 1:00 P.M.

In memory of Rose, donations may be made to a charity of one’s choice.

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


KRISTJANSON

With absolute heavy hearts, we announce the passing of our mother, SHARON ELAINE KRISTJANSON, of Lethbridge, Alberta, on Wednesday, April 27th, 2016, at the young age of 54 years.

Sharon is faithfully remembered by her children; Mallory, Kellon, and Brianna of Lethbridge, and her beloved grandson, Lucas Jordan. Sharon is also survived by her father, John Bodnaruk, brothers, Brian (Beatrice) and David Bodnaruk, as well as many special nieces and nephews. Sharon was predeceased by her mother, Marjorie, grandparents Svea and Lawrence Thompson, and Nick and Jennie Bodnaruk.

Our mother spent countless days throughout her life cheering on her children as their number one fan; eagerly encouraging them to strive for the best, and to passionately love each day. Without question, mom made many sacrifices to make sure her children, and grandson were taken care of.

For those who had the honour of knowing our Mother, her generosity, loyalty, perseverance, and selflessness, are but a few of her captured traits. Her friends would contend, their lives were made whole with her friendship.

It is with devastating sadness we had to say goodbye so soon. The last days embraced will be enchanting memories until we meet again. Despite how quick we lost you, you left peacefully, to meet your mother in Heaven. Mom will be sadly missed by all who knew her, and always remain our hero.

To honour Sharon’s wishes, a private family interment will take place. A Celebration of Life service, open to friends and co-workers, will be announced in due course. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Canadian Diabetes Association, #204, 2323 – 32 Avenue N.E., Calgary, AB, T2E 6Z3.

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


LODERMEIER

GERALD JOSEPH LODERMEIER, passed away at the St. Michael’s Health Centre, on Thursday, April 28, 2016 at the age of 73 years.

Funeral arrangements will be announced once completed.

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


Norma Burns

1932 – 2016

Mrs. Norma Burns of Lethbridge, passed away on Friday, April 29, 2016 at the age 83 years, beloved wife of the late Eric Burns. Funeral arrangements to be announced when completed.

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


Rose Pyne

1915 – 2016

Mrs. Rose Pyne of Lethbridge, beloved wife of the late Mr. Harold Pyne, passed away on Monday, April 25, 2016 at the age of 100 years. Family and friends are invited to pay their respects between 7:00PM and 8:00PM on Sunday, May 1, 2016, at MARTIN BROTHERS RIVERVIEW CHAPEL, 610 – 4 Street South, Lethbridge, AB. A Funeral Service will be held at 1:00PM on Monday, May 2, 2016 at WARNER EVANGELICAL CHURCH, 301 5 Ave, Warner, AB, with Pastor Brian Magee, celebrant. Interment will follow in the Warner Cemetery.

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


TOMPKINS

It is with great sadness that we say goodbye to our brother and son, GREG TOMPKINS, who passed away peacefully with his family by his side.

Greg started his career at the U of L as a research assistant in Physics in 1984. In 1986, he was hired as a technician for the Department of Physics and Astronomy and promoted to technical specialist in 1996. Working with Dr. David Naylor and the Astronomical Instrumentation Group (AIG), Greg provided technical support for electronic instrument control and data acquisition. One of the highlights of Greg’s career was his design for a spectrometer circuit used on NASA’s infrared telescope in Hawaii. In 1999, he was involved in developing a novel type of spectrometer for use at the James Clerk Maxwell Telescope, also located in Hawaii. By 2003, this design was adopted by the European Space Agency for use in the Herschel Space Observatory mission. Greg was then involved in designing and building a spectrometer to validate the performance of the one to be flown on Herschel. After years of work and extensive consultation with scientists and engineers, Greg came up with a simple and elegant design. After the launch of the Herschel in 2009, his electronics were on standby in case they were needed to solve a problem that had occurred in space. It remained active until 2013. The spectrometer was to be returned to Canada once it was decommissioned but several groups wanted it to remain in Europe. It now has a home in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at University College London. Greg also worked on designing and developing a control and data acquisition system for a spectrometer used for cancer detection. Where previously it took 3000 seconds to scan a 1×1 cm cancer biopsy sample, Greg reduced this time to an impressive 19.2 seconds.

In his three-decades-long career, Greg mentored and trained more than 300 students. His name is mentioned in every master’s and doctoral thesis produced by students in the AIG and he is the co-author of numerous publications and international conference presentations. “Greg will be deeply missed, not only for his electronic wizardry, but for his wit and irreverent spirit. His constant questioning of our scientific belief system made us all better scientists,” says Naylor.

Greg was a kind man who cared about people. He had a great sense of humour and enjoyed making others laugh. He was very good at sports and played soccer and squash for many years. He also enjoyed travelling. He is survived by his mother Catherine, his siblings Mallory (Renee) Tompkins, Patricia (Tom) Toney, Mark Tompkins, Michele (Tom) Mihalik, Annette (Jaye) Asplund, and Lisa Tompkins and six nieces and nephews: Perry and Kimberly Tompkins, Justin, Lana, and Natasha Toney, and Sarah Tompkins.

A Prayer Service will be held at OUR LADY OF THE ASSUMPTION CATHOLIC CHURCH, 2405 – 12 Avenue South, Lethbridge, AB, on Friday, May 6, 2016 at 7:00 P.M.

The Funeral Mass will be Celebrated at OUR LADY OF THE ASSUMPTION CATHOLIC CHURCH, Lethbridge, AB, on Saturday, May 7, 2016 at 10:00 A.M. with a luncheon at the Parish hall afterwards. A private interment will be held for immediate family.

In lieu of flowers, those who wish can make a donation to the Interfaith Food Bank, 1103 – 3 Avenue North, Lethbridge, AB, T1H 0H7.

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


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