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FRIDAY, January 20, 2017
By Lethbridge Herald Obituaries on January 20, 2017.
Alvin Grohs
1933 – 2017
Mr. Alvin Grohs of Calgary, beloved husband of Mrs. Claudia Grohs and father of Mrs. Angela Grohs Munghen, passed away at the Age Care Seton Care Centre in Calgary on Thursday, January 19, 2017 at the age of 83 years. Funeral arrangements to be announced when completed.
Visit http://www.mbfunerals.com to send a private condolence.
ROOT
Betty Fern Root (Ashmore) passed away on January 7th, 2017 in the Sutherland Place Continuing Care facility in Peace River, Alberta where she had resided for the past eight years. Betty will be lovingly remembered by her son Stuart (Denise) Root, grandchildren Raelene (Rob) Marceau, Cheryl (Chris) Sandstra and Heather Coldwell, as well as her great grandchildren: Arden and Jacob Marceau and Vaughn and Shea Sandstra. Her sister Fay Poch, brothers-in-law Walter Rhodes, Jim Culham and numerous nieces and nephews also survive her. She is predeceased by her loving husband John (Jack) Root, her parents Ted and Juanita Ashmore, her siblings June Rhodes, Shirley Culham, Richard (Dick) Ashmore and grandson-in-law Lee Coldwell.
Betty was born in Champion, Alberta on September 9th, 1927, where she was raised until she married her husband Jack on January 18, 1947. The young couple moved to Coleman, AB where her son Stuart was born. They resided in the community until a retirement transition took them to the neighboring town of Blairmore, Alberta. Betty loved music, singing and playing the piano. She was an avid gardener, loving her flowers almost as much as the family dog, King. Her grandchildren fondly remember when she would come to visit in Peace River, bringing a carload of costume jewelry, chocolate chip cookies and banana muffins to share.
In her later years, Betty moved to Sutherland Place to be closer to family in Peace River. Betty subsequently developed dementia, which robbed her of recent memory, yet, transported her back to a time where still had her beloved husband, Jack. It was during this time, that her sense of humor, wittiness and an ability to deliver ‘the best one-liners’ became evident and entertained those who spoke with her. In keeping with Betty’s wishes, a celebration of life will occur this coming summer – while the sun is shining and the flowers are in bloom. In lieu of flowers, a memorial donation can be made in Betty’s name to Sutherland Continuing Care.
CZIRJAK
SHELLEY ILONA CZIRJAK, born May 6, 1960, much loved daughter of Andrew and Elizabeth Czirjak, passed away peacefully in Lethbridge, after a brief illness on January 12, 2017.
She is survived by her sisters, Betty (Lawrence) Bailey and Terry (Wayne) Wilderman, nieces Erin (Chad) Niemans and Jennifer (Jason) deBoer and nephew Sean (Shanna) Bailey and their children. She was predeceased by her parents and niece Stacy Wilderman.
Shelley had a zest for life, a quick smile and a warm giving spirit. This was nurtured by all those associated with ICE (Independent Counselling Enterprises Inc.) and her special companion Ali.
Shelley will be missed by all who loved and worked with her.
A private Celebration of Life will be held in the spring.
Cremation entrusted to Cornerstone Funeral Home.
To send a condolence, please visit
http://www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com
George (Gerardus) van Rijn
October 6, 1929 – December 24, 2016
It is with very heavy hearts that we share the passing of our dear father, George. We were blessed to have had the past six months to care for him during his battle with cancer. Dad had a strong faith and we had many conversations about how he looked forward to being reunited with his beloved wife Tina and “what a glorious day it would be when my Jesus I shall see” (he sang this song constantly). Dad was a caring and loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle and friend.
George was born in Uithoorn, the Netherlands and, when he was 23, he immigrated to Canada with his family. After settling in southern Alberta, he met and fell in love with our Mom, Tina (nee Reimer). Four children were born within 5 years of their marriage, and after many “mis”adventures the family landed on a farm in Cloverdale, BC.
Dad’s love of growing flowers was realized when he and Tina started Chestnut Greenhouses in 1966. George and Tina had a very successful career and were locally famous for the excellent products they grew. They retired 25 years ago to Abbotsford where their property was again full of beautiful flowers.
Dad was predeceased by his wife Tina, his parents and his great granddaughter, Juliet. He leaves his four children, Brenda (Erv) Janzen; Dave (Val); Wayne (Joy); and Beverly (Robin) Burnette; and eight grandchildren: Chris (Nolene), Justine, Ryan, Jordan, Kelsey, Allison, Faith & Ella and his great grandchildren Ollie, Eva & Audrey. Predeceased by his siblings Piet, Riet, Nico, Corry, Joe, Rudy and Eva, George is survived by brothers and sisters Martha, Barb, Tom, Clasina, John, Paul, Nick, Hank, Andy and Jack.
We will celebrate George’s life on Thursday, January 26 at Grace Church at 2:30pm, 2087 McMillian Rd, Abbotsford. A second memorial will be held on January 28 at the Gem of the West Museum, 1306 20 St, Coaldale, Alberta at 2:00pm. In lieu of flowers donations to the Holmberg House (Abbotsford Hospice) — abbotsfordhospice.org/donate — would be greatly appreciated. Dad received excellent care there in the last 3 weeks of his life.
Please mail cheques to:
Abbotsford Hospice Society, 32780 Marshall Road, Abbotsford BC V2S 1J7
GOODRIDER
TINA MARIE GOODRIDER passed away in Lethbridge on January 16, 2017 at the age of 52 years.
A Wake Service will be at the Old Saipoyi Gym, Stand Off on Tuesday, Jan. 24th from 7:00 p.m. all night. The Funeral Service will be at the Old Saipoyi Gym, Stand Off on Wednesday, Jan. 25th at 11:00 a.m. Interment in St. Catherine’s Cemetery.
Condolences may be sent to: http://www.legacyfuneralhome.ca
TOOTH
GORDON TOOTH, loving husband of Sona and father of David, Dan and Deborah, died peacefully on August 19, 2016. He is fondly remembered and missed by many. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, January 21 at 10:00 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, WEST STAKE CENTRE, 560 Highlands Blvd W. in Lethbridge. Donations in Gordon’s memory may be made to the Boys and Girls Club of BC at http://www.bgcbc.ca.
To send condolences, please visit http://www.generationsfh.ca
Irene Thompson
1928 – 2017
Mrs. Irene Thompson of Lethbridge, beloved wife of the late Mr. John “Jack†Thompson, passed away at Cedar Creek Adaptacare on Wednesday, January 18, 2017 at the age of 88 years. Funeral arrangements to be announced when completed.
Visit http://www.mbfunerals.com to send a private condolence.
Irwin McNeely
1916 – 2017
It is with great sadness and much love we say goodbye to our Dad, Grandpa, Great Grandpa and Great Great Grandpa, Irwin Kenneth McNeely. Irwin passed away at home surrounded by his family on January 17, 2017 at the age of 100. Irwin was born on December 30, 1916 in Warner, Alberta. Parents were Emily and Eugene McNeely. He is survived by his 2 sons Keith McNeely and Eugene (Jane) McNeely both of Lethbridge and 2 daughters, Brenda (Richard) Gesinghaus of Calgary and Roxanne (Dan) MacInnis of Calahoo; 14 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren and 5 great great grandchildren. He is predeceased by his parents, 12 brothers and sisters, son Melvin, first wife Gladys and partner Lola Borysewicz. His wartime career started on July 19, 1939 when he left Lethbridge and went to Calgary for training. In April 1941, he was transferred to Medicine Hat and was certified for the Army on April 18, 1941. He was trained in the army for welding, woodworking, sheet metal and motor mechanics and his main job during the war was that as a motor mechanic working on trucks and tanks. He was transferred to Borden, Ontario and from there went to Halifax to transfer overseas by boat. He spent 3 weeks crossing the ocean where they landed in Scotland and went on to be stationed in Borden, England. From England, he was sent on to Sicily and then to Italy. He was a Private from 1941 and on May 15, 1945 was a craftsman in the Army. At the end of the war Irwin was sent to Holland via France and Belgium and then finally returned home to Lethbridge in December 1945. Upon his return, he went back to work for the family business, McNeely and Sons which eventually became McNeely Brothers, he worked for Eatons, Capital Furniture and then on his own in the floor covering business until he retired. He was a member of the Army Navy & Air Force Club for over 70 years. He will be forever remembered for his loving and caring nature and his own sense of humor. A Funeral Service will be held at 10:00am on Monday, January 23, 2017 at MARTIN BROTHERS RIVERVIEW CHAPEL, 610 4th St. South with Pastor Rodger Halvorsen, officiating.
Visit http://www.mbfunerals.com to send a private condolence.
McKENNA
Ian Bernard McKenna passed away peacefully on January 16, 2017, at St. Michael’s Health Centre in Lethbridge. He was 73 years old. He is survived by his daughter, Deirdre (Jonathan), two sons, Brian (Anika) and Niall (Megan); five grandchildren, Isobel, Angus, Amy, Olivia and Alva; sister, Fiona (Gelt, as well many cousins, nieces and nephews in Ontario, Scotland and Ireland. He is predeceased by his beloved wife of 45 years, Dorothy, who passed away last April. Ian was born in 1943 in Dundee, Scotland to Margaret and Bernard McKenna. The struggles of working-class Dundee touched him profoundly and he dedicated his life and work to the ideals of equality and social justice. Ian completed a Master of Arts in Philosophy and Economics at the University of St. Andrews in 1961 before pursuing a PhD in Economics at the University of Dundee. He immigrated to Canada in 1970 and married Dorothy. He worked for the Ontario Department of Labour, and in 1974 acted as secretary for the Ontario Hospital Inquiry Commission. He served as a Collective Bargaining Officer for the Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT) and helped lead the first union drive of university professors across Canada. Ian, Dorothy and their children moved back to Scotland in 1977 where Ian completed his LLB and LLM in Law at the University of Dundee. Ian was then a Lecturer at the Faculty of Law, Lancaster University in England until, in 1985, he accepted a position as Associate Professor of Management at the University of Lethbridge. Here he taught labour relations, law and human resources management for 24 years until his retirement in 2009. Ian was a passionate advocate and defender of academic freedom and integrity. He served on the CAUT Academic Freedom & Tenure Committee, including a term as Chair. Ian’s interests and commitment to his community were limitless. He was a longtime supporter and served on the Board of the Southern Alberta Council of Public Affairs. Ian was a founding member of the Southern Oldtimers Football Association and mainstay of noon-hour soccer at the University. Music was a passion for Ian throughout his life and in his most recent years he was a member of the Lethbridge Golden Mile Singers. He will be remembered for his wit and generosity. The Family would like to thank the staff of St. Michael’s Health Centre for their compassion and care for Ian. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Michael’s Long Term
Care Unit (covenanthealth.ca/donate), or volunteer your time to a community organization. A Memorial Service will held at 2:00pm on Friday, January 20, 2017 at MCKILLOP UNITED CHURCH, 2329 – 15 Ave South with Revered Trevor Potter, officiating.
Visit http://www.mbfunerals.com to send a private condolence.
Marie “Orla” Helene
Oevering
1940 – 2016
Orla Oevering, passed away suddenly on December 28, 2016 in Coaldale. Orla was born is Eston, SK to Anna & Arnold Hanson. As a child, she enjoyed figure skating, piano and organ. She later worked at ITT Grinnell, the United Church as the Organist, at the Taber Vet Clinic as well as the Taber Flower Shop. She enjoyed jigsaw puzzles, word searches, and pet sitting. She had a great sense of humour and found English comedies to be her choice in entertainment. She is survived by her children Teri Northcott and Poppy Northcott. She was predeceased by her parents, Anna & Arnold. Words that summed up Orla’s life – Stay positive, don’t go into the past. A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00pm on Saturday, January 21, 2017 at COALDALE UNITED CHURCH, 2022 18th St, Coaldale, AB, with Reverend Glenda Wert, officiating. An inurnment will take place at a later date in the family plot in Eston, SK, details to follow.
Visit http://www.mbfunerals.com to send a private condolence.
ROBINSON
CLIFFORD ALEXANDER ROBINSON “Alexâ€, beloved husband of Pauline Robinson of Lethbridge, passed away at the Chinook Regional Hospital on Monday, January 16, 2017 at the age of 91 years. He is the loving step-father of: Lutie, Susan, Beverly, Elnora, Eva Jo, Zela, and Evonne. He leaves behind numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren. Friends may meet the family on Friday, January 20 from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. at CHRISTENSEN SALMON GENERATIONS FUNERAL HOME, 703-13 Street North, Lethbridge. The Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, January 21, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at CHRISTENSEN SALMON GENERATIONS FUNERAL HOME. Interment to follow in the Monarch/Nobleford Cemetery.
To send condolences, please visit http://www.generationsfh.ca
VAN NISTELROOY
1960 – 2017
It is with heavy hearts and great sorrow that we announce the sudden passing of SHERI JANET MARIE VAN NISTELROOY, beloved wife of Albert Van Nistelrooy and cherished mother to Samantha, Braden and Stephanie. The Lord took her to be with himself on Friday, January 13, 2017 at the age of 56 years.
A Celebration of Sheri’s Life will be held at SOUTHMINSTER UNITED CHURCH, 1011 – 4th Avenue South, Lethbridge, AB, on Friday, January 20, 2017 at 11:00 A.M. with Father Kevin Tumback celebrating.
A Private Family Interment will follow the reception at the Enchant Cemetery.
In memory of Sheri, donations may be made to a charity of your choice.
To send a condolence, please visit
http://www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com
ZENTNER
EMILIE I. ZENTNER, beloved wife of the late Edward “Ed†Zentner, of Calgary, passed away peacefully at the Riverview Care Centre on Thursday, January 19th, 2017 at the age of 88 years.
Funeral arrangements will be announced once completed.
To send a condolence, please visit
http://www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com
Frank Young
1938 – 2017
Frank Young, beloved husband of Jeanette Young, passed away in Bow Island on Wednesday, January 18, 2017 at the age of 78 years.
Relatives and friends are invited to Prayers at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, 1113 – 1 Street East, Bow Island on Monday, January 23, 2017 at 7:00 P.M.
The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, 1113 – 1 Street East, Bow Island on Tuesday, January 24, 2017 at 1:00 P.M. Burial to follow at the Bow Island Cemetery. Condolences may be forwarded by visiting our website at http://www.southlandfuneral.com.
Arrangements in care of Southland Funeral Chapel, Taber. Telephone: (403) 223-8778.
It is with great sadness that the family of William (Bill) Lee Van Buskirk, announces his passing after a brief illness and while surrounded by his family at the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital on Monday, January 16, 2017, at the age of 87 years.  Bill leaves to cherish his memory four children, Lee (Susan) Van Buskirk, Bill (Venyce) Van Buskirk, Dick (Debbie) Van Buskirk and Pat (Shelly) Van Buskirk;  14 grandchildren, Jessica Van Buskirk, Shannon Van Buskirk, Josh (Bethanie) Van Buskirk, Laura (Josh) Sifuentes, Aaron Van Buskirk, Anna Van Buskirk, Brooke (Andrew) Moss, Derk (Sheryden) Anderson, Jason Van Buskirk, Jennifer (Dale) Howe, Shontel (Nick) Lessard, Jason (Aleesha) Smith, Christine (Mike) Westland and Cassidy Van Buskirk;  16 great-grandchildren, Taytum, Preston and Daphnie Van Buskirk, Micah and Kyra Sifuentes, Brianna Buk, Addyson, Quinn and Hallie Swasey, Ryder and Brekkyn Van Buskirk, Kenzie Howe, Shelby Lessard, Haven and Nova Smith and Burtyn Westland.  Bill was predeceased by his parents, Lee Edward and Dorothy Alice Van Buskirk; granddaughter, Emalee Jane Van Buskirk and great-grandchildren, Zoey Swasey and Parker Moss.  Bill Van Buskirk was born January 7, 1930 in Medicine Hat, Alberta, where he spent his younger years. Bill attended Riverside School and Alexandra High School.  Following high school, he enlisted and attended military training at the Canadian Forces Base Borden, Ontario.  Following his military training he returned to Medicine Hat to work for Lake of the Woods Milling Company.  After several years working in Medicine Hat, Bill moved to Lethbridge, Alberta and worked up to his retirement for Diversey/Molson Corp. in 1993.  Bill was baptized and confirmed at St. Barnabas Anglican Church in Medicine Hat.  He later attended St. Augustine’s Anglican Church in Lethbridge.  Bill had a passion for baseball, hockey and golf for many years.  He started playing as a pitcher for the Southern Alberta Regiment Flyers in the Southern Alberta Baseball leagues from 1945 through to the early 1950’s.  He also played hockey for several leagues in Lethbridge.  Bill was a member of the Lethbridge Country Club for many years.  He continued to golf following his retirement and volunteered in preparation of the Lethbridge Country Club History book.  He was also a longtime member and Past President of the Lethbridge Kinsmen Club.  Bill was a kind, gentle and thoughtful father, grandfather and friend.  He loved being with his family and being involved in their interests.  He will be greatly missed.  The Funeral Service will be held at St. Barnabas Anglican Church, 635 – 4th Street S.E., Medicine Hat on Saturday, January 21, 2017, at 11:00 a.m. with Reverend Canon Gene Packwood officiating.  Interment will follow at Hillside Cemetery with a luncheon thereafter in the Cook Southland Reception Facility.  Memorial donations in Bill’s name may be made directly to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Alberta, 124, 430 – 6th Ave. S.E., Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 2S8.  (Condolences may be expressed by visiting our website at  http://www.cook southland.com)    Honoured to serve the family is Cook Southland
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