By Lethbridge Herald Obituaries on December 6, 2017.
CLARKE
It is with heavy hearts and great sadness that we announce the passing of ALLEN CLARKE at the age of 60 years. He was born on May 5, 1957 and raised in Lethbridge.
Allen passed away suddenly on December 2, 2017 at this home with his family by his side. Our beloved son, father, papa, brother, uncle, partner and dear friend will always be remembered.
Allen is predeceased by his mother Lois Clarke and survived by his father Ronald, son Cody (Ivory, Phoenix and Xander) son Kyle (Paige and Etnee), partner Launa (Lulu), brother Ron (Nancy and Terri), sister Lisa Lutz (Darren, Keanna and Tori), brother Jim (Deb and Miyah) and many close and cherished friends.
Allen was a proud man and affected many in a positive way. Anyone who knew “Big Al” knew about his love of cars, his need for speed and tinkering in his garage. He owned a transport company called “Greg’s Transport” which he purchased on December 1, 1980 and lived by the motto “my customers were always my friends, and this truck will stop at nothing to make them my first priority.” Allen had a passion for hunting and never missed a season; many will say he needed to perfect that “third gear sneak.” Among all these affections, his heart was, and will still remain with his family cabin at Duck Lake, MT where he spent most of his time with the ones he loved.
At the request of Allen, no formal service will be held. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alberta Children’s Hospital, 2888 Shaganappi Trail N.W., Calgary, AB T3B 6A8, per Allen’s choice of charity.
The family wants to thank everyone for their kind words, thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.
To all those who knew Big Al – “Well I S’pose!”
To send a condolence, please visit http://www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com
HETFLEIS
MARY ANN (WIGHT) HETFLEIS passed away peacefully and surrounded by family at St. Michael’s Health Centre, Palliative Care Unit on Sunday, December 3, 2017 at the age of 72 years.
She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law April and Brent Van Vaerenbergh and four grandchildren Tyler, Tricia, Alyssa and Hunter Van Vaerenbergh of Picture Butte, her son Paul Smith of Calgary, her brother and sister-in-law Riley and Penny Wight of Kamloops, BC and her niece and nephew Cherie and Francis Wight and their families.
Mary Ann was predeceased by her parents, Emmett and Catherine Wight.
Mary Ann was a resident at Piyami Place in Picture Butte where she met lots of great friends and her contagious smile and laugh will be missed so much.
A Funeral Mass will be held at ST. CATHERINE’S ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH, 762 Crescent Avenue, Picture Butte, AB on Monday, December 11, 2017 at 11:00 A.M. with Father Ian Gagne, Celebrant.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada, 724 – 13 Street North, Lethbridge, AB T1H 2T1.
To send a condolence, please visit http://www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com
John Tkachenko
1924 – 2017
Mr. John Tkachenko, beloved husband of Anna Tkachenko, passed away on Monday, December 4, 2017 at the age of 93 years. Prayers will be held at 7:00pm on Friday, December 8, 2017 at MARTIN BROTHERS RIVERVIEW CHAPEL, 610 – 4th Street South, Lethbridge, AB. A Funeral Service will be held at 9:00am on Saturday, December 9, 2017 at MARTIN BROTHERS RIVERVIEW CHAPEL, with Father Taras Krochak officiating.
Visit http://www.mbfunerals.com to send a private condolence.
KIND
With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of KRISTINE FAITH KIND, 25, in Calgary on November 26, 2017. Born in Calgary on April 25 1992, she is survived by her beloved children Ryan and Devitt; her parents Daryll Kind and Maureen Wolfchild; grandparents Herb Kind, Florence Scout; brothers Donovan Marshall and Frank; 4 nephews and 5 nieces; numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.
A Wake Service will be at the Senator Gladstone Hall, Blood Reserve on Wednesday, Dec. 6th, from 7:00 p.m. all night. The Funeral Service will be at the Senator Gladstone Hall on Tuesday, Dec. 7th at 11:00 a.m. followed by a Wake Service at 263 – Margate Close NE, Calgary at 6:00 p.m. A Graveside Service will be at the Queen’s Park Cemetery in Calgary on Friday, Dec. 8th at 11:00 a.m.
Send condolences at:
http://www.legacyfuneralhome.ca
KOENIG
GUNTHER RICHARD KOENIG, beloved husband of Val Koenig, passed away at the Chinook Regional Hospital on Monday, December 4, 2017 at the age of 71 years.
At Richard’s request, a Private Family Service will be held at a later date.
To send a condolence, please visit
http://www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com
Margaret Robinson
1929 – 2017
Mrs. Margaret Robinson of Magrath/Del Bonita, beloved wife of the late Mr. Kenneth Robinson, passed away peacefully on Monday, December 4, 2017 at the age of 88 years. Margaret was a loving Mother of seven children, Louise Nielsen, Ruth Turner, Pamela Hansen, Emily Beier, James Robinson, Helen Joyce (deceased) and Patricia Orich (deceased); Grandmother of fourteen; Great Grandmother of twenty-four and Great Great-Grandmother of one. Margaret is survived by her brother, Jack Baker. Margaret was predeceased by her parents, Joseph and Helen Baker; brothers, Gerald and George; sister, Shirley; and grandson, Gary Hansen. Family and friends are invited to pay their respects from 11:00am – 11:45am on Saturday, December 9, 2017 at MARTIN BROTHERS RIVERVIEW CHAPEL, 610 – 4 Street South, Lethbridge, Alberta. A Memorial Service will follow at 12:00pm with Reverend Glenda Wert officiating. Interment will take place at Archmount Cemetery. Flowers are gratefully declined. For those who wish, a donation in Helen’s name may be made to a charity of your choice.
Visit http://www.mbfunerals.com to send a private condolence.
OLEKSY
It is with sadness that we announce the passing of BILL OLEKSY at the Chinook Regional Hospital on Friday, December 1, 2017 at the age of 91 years.
Left to mourn is Jennie, his wife of 63 years (to whom he was a fantastic loving partner); son Brent (Jamie), grandchildren Rick, Jody (Craig) and great-grandchildren Tesla, Nolan, Calder; daughter, Brenda (Bob) and grandson Chase; and youngest son, Barton (Cris) and granddaughter Katya. He is also survived by his sister Sylvia (Richard).
He was predeceased by his mother, father, three brothers and three sisters as well as his father-in-law and mother-in-law, with whom he was very close. Bill was born in Strong Pine, Saskatchewan, on October 3, 1926. He attended a small, one-room country school until grade nine and, when his family moved to BC, finished his schooling in Langley. He then made his way to Winnipeg to enroll in Teachers College. After graduation, he taught in many rural schools before settling in Swan River, Manitoba in 1953 to teach grades five through seven. He met Jennie, a fellow teacher, married her in 1956, and had three wonderful children.
For a change of pace, he moved his family to Lethbridge in 1967 where he managed the Super Sonic Car Wash for a year. He then returned to his first love – teaching. He taught in many schools, but his favorite time was as principal of the Dorothy Gooder School for eight years. At the same time as teaching and raising his children, he attended night school at the University of Lethbridge and obtained his B.A. He is fondly remembered as the teacher who loved to organize field trips and get his students to have more fun in and out of the classroom. Bill retired from teaching in 1987, but kept busy doing a number of things, including driving for Handi-Bus and working with AMA to teach driving to high school students. One of his favorite sayings was that, if he had to do it all over again, he’d have more fun!
Bill was famous for his wild selection of ties, suit jackets and mismatched socks. His collection of clothes was featured on CBC and was on display at the Galt Museum in Lethbridge.
Bill was also well known around town at Christmas, where he would stroll through different businesses playing Christmas carols on his mandolin. His mandolin playing was also enjoyed by many family members when he and Jennie would call to play and sing happy birthday.
The family would like to give a special thank you to nurses Kara, Katie, Doctors Plotnyk and Winder and all of the amazing staff on the 4th floor of the CRH.
A Celebration of Bill’s Life will be held in the spring of 2018. Details will be announced at a later date.
To send a condolence, please visit http://www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com
SHEARS
VICKI ROSE SHEARS passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family and friends in Lethbridge on November 28, 2017 at the age of 63 years.
A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday December 9, 2017 at 11:00 A.M. at THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS, Copperwood Chapel, 9 Keystone Terrace W, Lethbridge. Friends may meet the family prior to the Memorial Service on Saturday from 10:00 to 10:45 A.M.
To send a condolence, please
visit http://www.salmonandsons.ca
WARMINK
LARRY WARMINK, beloved husband of Pat Warmink, passed away peacefully and surrounded by family at St. Michael’s Health Centre, Palliative Care Unit on Sunday, December 3, 2017 at the age of 68 years.
Larry was born January 31, 1949 to Gerrit and Hendrika at the Galt Hospital. He attended school in Nobleford before furthering his education at SAIT, where he earned his electrician’s certificate. He worked as an electrician for 45 years and was part of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local Branch 254 in Calgary.
In 1973, he married Patricia and together raised their sons Richard (Amanda) and Robert (Michelle) in the home Larry built. They have also welcomed three lovely granddaughters into their family: Emily, Norah and Summer.
A Family Graveside Service will be held at the MONARCH NOBLEFORD CEMETERY on Thursday, December 7, 2017 at 12:00 Noon with Pastor Rodger Halvorsen.
A Funeral Service will be held afterward at the MONARCH REFORMED CHURCH, Monarch, AB at 1:00 P.M. with Pastor Bob Derrick officiating.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. Michael’s Health Centre, Palliative Care Unit, 1400 – 9 Avenue South, Lethbridge, AB T1J 4V5 or the Canadian Cancer Foundation #200, 325 Manning Road N.E., Calgary, AB T2E 2P5.
To send a condolence, please visit